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Orlando Business Journal
Modeling, simulation, training: top players revealed
This week, Orlando Business Journal highlights the largest modeling, simulation and training companies ranked by number of Central Florida employees.<\p> The City Beautiful is the industry leader, according to the University of Central Florida and Orlando Economic Partnership, with $6 billion in annual simulation-related contracts, according to the Orlando-based National Center for Simulation.<\p>
Taylor Morrison opening two new build-for-rent communities
Homebuilder Taylor Morrison is launching two communities in Central Florida under its build-to-rent brand Yardly.<\p> Yardly Bellalago in Kissimmee off Pleasant Hill Road near Valencia College will include 107 homes. Houses on the 8.14-acre property will range between 932 square feet and 1,347 square feet, with rents between $1,800 and the low $2,000s.<\p>
Nonprofit plans 6-story building near soccer stadium
A local nonprofit wants to expand its complex near Inter&Co Stadium, including an office building and more. <\p> The Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida wants to construct a six-story, 92,000-square-foot building to replace its Women’s & Families homeless shelter building as well as a two-story, 9,000-square-foot administrative office building on its 5.26-acre complex in Parramore at 639 W. Central Blvd. The construction cost was not immediately available.<\p>
Another I-Drive bar to open — what makes this one different?
The nightlife scene on International Drive is expanding rapidly, with four new bars and clubs opening at Pointe Orlando in September. Among them is Shark Bar, a new concept for Orlando but with a history in the Midwest.<\p> Shark Bar is among the cluster of new entertainment venues called Live! at Pointe Orlando, an entertainment complex developed by the Baltimore-based The Cordish Cos. The bar opens Sept. 19 and has its debut event Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. Shark Bar will host a drag show produced by Blue LaLa Events, the event company launched by one of Orlando’s most famous drag queens, Blue Star. <\p>
Small-business grants you can apply for this month
Small-business owners are increasingly confident about the future — and Black business owners are even more optimistic. <\p> That's one takeaway from JPMorgan Chase’s Midyear Business Leaders Outlook, which found 59% of small-business owners said they were more optimistic about their business now than at any point in the last five years. Meanwhile, about 70% of Black business owners said the same.<\p>
Animatronics, costumes energize Halloween at Leu Gardens
Until 2022, Harry P. Leu Gardens kept Halloween pretty simple, with a single-night story reading called Haunting Tales. Families would gather on the lawn, throw down blankets and hang out while enjoying their B.Y.O.P. (bring your own picnic). <\p> However, the spooky season has been amped up ever since Jennifer D’hollander took over the gardens as executive director. For the second year in a row, Harry P. Leu Gardens is all-in for Halloween, transforming for Happy Frights and Haunting Nights, both produced by Orlando's Creative City Project and Memoir Agency. <\p>
Low-cost airline adds new flights here
Frontier Airlines will add flights from Orlando to New York and Washington, D.C., this fall.<\p> The low-cost airline (Nasdaq: ULCC) will start flights from Orlando International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City on Oct. 27 and to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia on Nov. 14. <\p>
OUC rates may spike in peak hours with new model
Orlando Utilities Commission soon will consider a new pricing model for its customers aimed at shifting energy demand. <\p> The utility's PeakShift proposal is slated to go before its board in November for a presentation, with the potential for a Dec. 10 vote. <\p>
You can own this historic former railroad hotel from 1887
Sanford's historic PICO Building has hit the market for $2 million.<\p> The 6,032-square-foot brick building at 209 N. Oak Ave. is owned by Bat Dev LLC, an entity tied to former Pastor Timothy D. Hudson. The property is being marketed by Matt White of Sloane Realty LLC.<\p>
First look: Architecture firm’s trendy new Winter Park office
One of Central Florida's largest architectural firms is readying to move into a new space in the heart of Winter Park.<\p> In January, Orlando Business Journal reported exclusively that Schenkel Shultz — which underwent a rebrand in 2023 and is one of the region's Best Places to Work — would move from its downtown Orlando offices to a space on North Orange Avenue in Winter Park.<\p>
This hotel to become affordable housing
A hotel in west Orlando may be converted into affordable housing, according to a request filed with the city.<\p> The 110-room Best Western Orlando West at 2014 W. Colonial Drive is being eyed for conversion into "a 110-unit attainable housing apartment facility," according to a project description by South Florida-based SL Capital Group.<\p>
See inside UCF football’s first win of the year
A strong rushing performance helped launch UCF Football’s season with a win. <\p> The Knights were able to beat the University of New Hampshire 57-3 on the strength of 454 yards on the ground and four rushing touchdowns. A defensive performance keeping New Hampshire to 162 total yards helped seal the win. <\p>
Lockheed nets 3 contracts, $287M in a single day
Three Department of Defense contracts were awarded to Lockheed Martin Corp. in Orlando earlier this month. <\p> On Aug. 15, the Bethesda, Maryland-based defense contractor's Orlando operations landed $287 million in contracts to provide services to the Air Force, Navy and other parties. Lockheed Martin's Missiles & Fire Control division is based in Orlando along Universal Boulevard near the International Drive tourist corridor. <\p>
Firm expands Florida presence with new Orlando office
Power Home Remodeling — a full-service exterior home remodeler, with more than 3,800 employees nationally and more than 1 million customers — opened its first local 29,745-square-foot officeand warehouse in August.<\p> Here are the basics:<\p>
President at local college resigns
The president of a local state college has resigned after multiple news outlets reported earlier this week that she had been placed on a leave of absence.<\p> Lake-Sumter State College announced Aug. 29 that Heather Bigard resigned effectively immediately, citing "personal reasons to focus on her health and family," according to a news release.<\p>
Orlando Pride land high-profile jersey sponsor
A well-known Central Florida company has inked a deal to become the Orlando Pride's first back-of-jersey sponsor. <\p> Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets will become the National Women's Soccer League team's season-long sponsor. The chain, with more than 255,000 employees and 1,377 stores, has been the official supermarket of the team since its first season in 2016. <\p>
CEO exits hit record high
More CEOs have left their jobs year-to-date this year than in any other year over the last two decades, even as the pace of exits has slowed amid the softening labor market.<\p> Newly available research from executive-placement and job-coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. indicates that 1,250 CEOs have announced their departures so far in 2024. That's 13% more than for the same period last year and stands as the highest year-to-date total since Challenger began tracking the data in 2002.<\p>
The Playbook: What college grads seek in a manager
Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. <\p> Employees have expressed concerns about the long-term impact generative artificial-intelligence tools like ChatGPT could have on their careers. Those worries may not be completely unfounded. <\p>
Live! at Pointe Orlando to join I-Drive bar scene soon
The new 73,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor Live! at Pointe Orlando entertainment complex will debut Sept. 19 at 9 p.m., announced Maryland-based developer The Cordish Cos.<\p> Live! at Pointe Orlando will feature new bars, cocktail lounges, restaurants and more.<\p>
Red Lobster's debt restructuring: Attorneys, advisers cash in
Invoices from Orlando-based Red Lobster’s attorneys and other advisers are piling up, now totaling over $15.5 million. <\p> The invoices are for work beginning May 19 — the date the seafood restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. <\p>
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