TAMPA BAY, Fla., August 17, 2010/Businesswire/ -- News briefs concerning economic and business growth in the Tampa Bay region from the Tampa Bay Partnership:
United Technology Corp. Locates Fire & Security Units in Tampa Bay
UTC Fire & Security – a business unit of United Technologies Corp. – will preserve 227 jobs
and add 23 new jobs in Manatee County by locating the headquarters for its Global Security Products, Global Fire Products and Fire & Security Services groups in an existing facility in Lakewood Ranch. UTC Fire & Security acquired Manatee-based GE Security earlier this year and the Manatee Economic Development Council worked with the firm to not only retain existing jobs but to locate certain unit headquarters operations in Manatee County. (Contact: John Moran, 860-728-7062, john.moran@utc.com)
Medical Device Manufacturer Oscor Expansion Brings 70 New Jobs
Oscor, Inc., a manufacturer of pacemaker components founded in Palm Harbor, Fla., announced recently that it has decided to expand in Pinellas County with the addition of 70 new high-wage jobs. After considering other markets including Minneapolis, the medical device manufacturer chose to remain in Pinellas County after working with Pinellas County Economic Development to secure $210,000 in Qualified Tax Incentives from the county and the state. Oscor has been expanding its research and development efforts, developing innovative technologies steadily over the past three years. Oscor has about 190 employees, up from 110 a year ago. About two and a half years ago, Oscor bought and renovated a 30,000-square-foot plant next to its original facility. By January, Oscor added another 20,000 square feet to the new facility and plans to add another 20,000 square feet by the end of 2010. Oscor invested more than $3 million in the build-out and plans to invest another $5 million in the next three to four years. (Contact: Thomas Osypka, 727-937-2511, tosypka@oscor.com)
All Children’s Hospital Joins Johns Hopkins Health Care System
In July 2010, All Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine signed an integration letter of intent (LOI), to be completely implemented by late 2010, establishing All Children’s as a fully integrated and acknowledged member of the prestigious Johns Hopkins Health Care System. The non-profit institutions share similar missions, with long histories of treatment, teaching, and research benefiting their communities and future generations worldwide. All Children’s partnership with Johns Hopkins is anticipated to position the pediatric hospital to jointly and effectively shape the future of children’s health care long-term. “The potential economic impact for St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay area and the state of Florida is significant and lasting, while the positive impact for children and their families will extend well beyond its physical geography” stated Claudia Sokolowski, All Children’s Health System Board Chair. (Contact: Cindy Rose, 727-767-8906, rosec@allkids.org)
Insurer to Add 80 Jobs in Tampa Bay
Insurer Universal North America announced it will add about 80 jobs in the next year as it consolidates its U.S. headquarters in Sarasota. Universal, which is on pace to collect $285 million in premiums this year, is bringing accounting, information technology and other support services in-house at its headquarters in Sarasota. Previously, backshop operations were handled largely by vendors in Fort Worth, TX. Of the 80 employees added in Sarasota, 20 to 25 will be hired locally, with the rest moving from the Fort Worth area. The insurer currently employs 40 in Sarasota County. (Contact: Ricardo Espino, 941-378-8851, http://www.uihna.com/en-US)
Wide World Security plans 100 employees at Manatee County HQ and training facility
Wide World Security Inc. of Bradenton plans to hire up to 100 employees over five years to operate a $35-million headquarters and training center for security and first-responder personnel on 400 acres in eastern Manatee County. The Manatee Economic Development Council assisted the start-up company in successfully applying for $178,330 in incentives from the Manatee Board of County Commissioners. The facility will provide training to meet the needs of police, fire, emergency management agencies and private security agencies. (Contact: Dell Hyland, Founder and Owner, Wide World Security Inc., (504) 296-9187, hyland29@msn.com)
CTEF Wins 2010 STEMflorida Award
STEMflorida has recognized Career Technical Education Foundation (CTEF) as a 2010 Florida award-winning Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program. CTEF received STEMflorida’s 2010 STEM Business and Education Partnership Award, designating CTEF as an outstanding strategic Florida program producing the STEM proficient workforce needed by the state’s employers. CTEF has become the benchmark in academic and industrial collaboration, preparing Florida’s youth with the advanced skills needed for careers in innovative, technology-based industry. (Contact: Paul Wahnish, 407-491-0903 Paul.Wahnish@CareerTechEdFoundation.org)
Tampa Port Authority Approves Lease Option with Oil Recycling Firm
The Board of the Tampa Port Authority recently approved a lease option agreement with NexLube Tampa, LLC, which plans to construct a recycling facility capable of processing up to 24 million gallons of used oil per year at the Port of Tampa. The facility, to be located on 12 acres at Pendola Point, would be the first of its kind in Florida. The $75 million project is expected to create hundreds of jobs over the duration of the 20-year agreement. Recycled oil will be used to produce lubricants, diesel and asphalt. In addition, oil from automobile oil changes will be reprocessed for use as motor oil that is equal or superior to retail motor oil. (Contact: Andy Fobes, 813-905-5132, afobes@tampaport.com)
PEDC Partners with Pasco Hernando Workforce Board on Training and Job Creation
Workforce has been an important element in Pasco Economic Development Council’s (PEDC) efforts to attract new business to Pasco County and grow the ones that are already here. Pasco Hernando Workforce Board/Career Central has approved a new contract with PEDC starting July 1, 2010, to ramp up efforts to meet employers’ training needs. Some key deliverables for the year include: community coordination and outreach to youth throughout Pasco County Career Academies; state of economy and workforce event for Pasco County; industry call program consisting of annual visits to primary, targeted industries; quarterly surveys to identify workforce trends and training needs; and development of a network to aid entrepreneurs and provide required technical assistance. (Contact: Sean Malott, 813-920-6480, smalott@pascoedc.com)
