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Tampa Bay Business Journal
Meet Calusa Marketing, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Calusa Marketing develops loyalty marketing and rewards programs for companies for both employee and customer incentives. It was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in St. Petersburg.<\p> What was the most exciting thing to happen at or to your company last year? We redeveloped and launched our new gift card platform, which provides a better customer experience, faster turnaround, and more options for our end users to receive.<\p>
Meet Tarmak USA, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Tarmak USA is an importer of natural stone tiles, mosaics, tumbled stones, moldings, and slabs. It was founded in 2001 and is based in Tampa. It also makes window sills and thresholds.<\p> What was the most exciting thing to happen at or to your company last year? The construction of our new warehouse/office is almost completed, and we are very excited to move into our new place this year.<\p>
Data-center debate: Booming CRE sector grapples with big questions
The proliferation of data centers across America is helping to power the nation's increasingly digital economy — but for some, it's coming at too high, or too unknown, of a cost.<\p> The data-center boom isn't new, but the rate at which these projects are being planned, proposed and built is quickly escalating. And while data centers once were concentrated in a few key markets, they're now fanning out to metro areas all over the country.<\p>
Go inside Life Time Harbour Island, opening Tuesday
National fitness chain Life Time is nearly ready to re-open its Tampa facility after a multimillion-dollar renovation of one of the city's most closely watched properties.<\p> Life Time, which closed its International Plaza location in 2023, said the Harbour Island club will open on Tuesday. Minnesota-based Life Time leased the 6.5-acre facility, which was previously home to the Harbour Island Athletic Club, from owner RMR Group in 2023. (Life Time's space at International Plaza is being redeveloped into Dick's House of Sport, a new concept from Dick's Sporting Goods.)<\p>
Mixed-use development in St. Pete lands $104 million loan
Connecticut-based Belpointe OZ has secured a $104 million construction loan for Viv, a mixed-use development in St. Peterburg’s Edge district.<\p> The 15-story project is at the southwest corner of First Avenue North and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street at 1000 First Ave. N. The tower topped out in May, a year after its 2023 groundbreaking. It is expected to be completed in fall 2025.<\p>
Commuter alert: CSX project leads to road closure in Tampa
Railroad repair work will reroute traffic near downtown Tampa this week. <\p> The intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Willow Avenue is completely closed due to a CSX project. Weather permitting, the work is expected to finish by late Thursday night. <\p>
Mall-turned-office-complex Netpark sells for less than 2003 price
Netpark, Tampa's enclosed-mall-turned-office-complex, has sold to a New Jersey investment firm for $45 million.<\p> Saxum Real Estate Partners closed on Netpark on July 3, according to Hillsborough County property records. CBRE Group Inc.'s capital markets team — Dale Peterson, Joe Chick and Courtney Snell — represented the seller, Bluett Capital Realty Inc., and their tenants-in-common ownership group in the transaction.<\p>
Report: Tampa Bay rent has increased over 50% since 2019
The rising cost of living has impacted many residents in Tampa Bay, so much so that people are now reportedly taking on debt to pay their rent.<\p> A report from ConsumerAffairs showed that 48% of renters surveyed nationally have taken on debt. This includes credit card debt, personal loans, and borrowed funds from family or friends.<\p>
Deepwatch names new CEO, founding CEO to serve as chairman
There has been a change in the top leadership role at Deepwatch in Tampa.<\p> John DiLullo has been named chief executive officer at the Tampa-based managed security platform. The company said he succeeds Charlie Thomas, who is retiring and will serve as board chairman. He will be based in Silicon Valley. <\p>
Details revealed for final vote on massive Rays/Hines redevelopment
The agenda for the final vote on the redevelopment of the 86-acre Historic Gas Plant District and the new $1.3 billion stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays has been released. <\p> It details the lengthy steps St. Petersburg City Council must take to approve the approximately $6.5 billion project.<\p>
Things to know, including concerns over digital advertising regulation
The TBBJ editor's weekly news rundown includes a curated round-up of other compelling Tampa Bay area business news.<\p> This week's news that the family behind Tampa’s Oxford Exchange has purchased Wright’s Gourmet House drew much interest from readers. As Real Estate Editor Ashley Gurbal Kritzer reported this week, siblings Blake Casper and Allison Casper Adams acquired South Tampa cult favorite, including Wright’s real estate along South Dale Mabry Highway. In a follow-up, we report the numbers attached to the deal. <\p>
Meet Engage fi, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Engage fi is a Tampa-based firm that provides consulting services to credit unions and banks. It was founded in 2014 and has over 50 employees, including 21 in the Tampa Bay area.<\p> Describe what your company does in a single sentence. Engage fi is a consulting firm guiding banks and credit unions through technological advancements and strategic decision-making.<\p>
Meet Baldwin Roofing Company, a 2024 Fast 50 honoree
Baldwin Roofing Company is a residential and commercial roofing contractor founded in 2018. It is based in Tampa, and it has an additional office in Jacksonville. <\p> Describe what differentiates your company. The company focuses on providing quality craftsmanship with unparalleled service.<\p>
Airline passengers in Tampa Bay topped 30 million in 2023
The number of passengers at the three local commercial airports increased by more than 10% from 2022 to 2023, topping 30 million for the first time ever. This equates to nearly 3 million more passengers than in 2022 and 4 million more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.<\p> That trend has continued into 2024, with a 7% increase in passengers from January through May over the same time frame last year. There were 14.3 million passengers in the first five months, compared to 13.4 in 2023.<\p>
A popular job-posting strategy can backfire
Editor's Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business and career. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. <\p> The hiring process sparks plenty of questions for employers and candidates alike. <\p>
USF and FSU are third in state's performance rankings tied to funding
The University of South Florida will rake in $47.7 million in state money due partly to its rising scores across various evaluation categories. <\p> The Florida Board of Governors recently released metrics grading the state's public universities' graduation rates, affordability, post-graduation salaries and more. The state then allocates money as part of a performance-based funding mechanism first approved in 2014. <\p>
Habitat for Humanity Pinellas and West Pasco dedicates its 900th home
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has dedicated its 900th home since its establishment in 1985.<\p> The organization held the home dedication on June 21 in Largo. The home was made possible by contributions from more than 100 donors and sponsors, each giving at least $900 in honor of the 900th home. The organization raised more than $100,000 for the project. <\p>
Opinion: Rays/Hines proposal is crucial for St. Pete's future
It’s a moment that will shape our region forever.<\p> The upcoming vote by the St. Petersburg City Council for the Rays/Hines proposal to redevelop the Historic Gas Plant district in St. Petersburg is currently scheduled for July 11. This decision will not only shape our skyline but also significantly impact our regional economy and the cultural fabric of our city.<\p>
Lake Wales wins $23M for transportation project
Lake Wales, a city southeast of Lakeland, has won $22.9 million from the federal government for a complete streets project aimed at revitalizing the urban core. <\p> A new bike lane, expanded sidewalks, underground high-speed fiber and several streetscape upgrades are all part of the plans. <\p>
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