Highlights of Economic and Business Growth in the Tampa Bay Region

TAMPA BAY, Fla., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- News briefs concerning economic and business growth in the Tampa Bay Region from the Tampa Bay Partnership:

SRI International Dedicates New Tampa Bay Research Facility

SRI International, one of the world's leading independent research and technology development organizations, officially opened its new 40,000-square-foot research facility located at the Port of St. Petersburg. The new building will house the nonprofit research institute's Marine Technology Program, which is focused on advancing marine science and technology, port security, and environmental research. SRI International employs 25 employees and expects to grow to 100+ employees over the next three years. SRI anticipates working closely with Draper Labs, Progress Energy and the University of South Florida on joint venture projects. The facility is part of the City of St. Petersburg's master plan for fostering a marine research cluster in the Bayboro district. (Contact: Ellie Javadi, 650-859-4874, [email protected])

FreightCenter Announces Plans for Expansion in Tampa Bay, Adding 75 Jobs

FreightCenter, an online freight and logistics company, located in Trinity, Pasco County, recently announced plans for a large expansion to accommodate increasing leads and business. FreightCenter is a full-service freight logistics company whose primary focus is using web-based tools to help execute optimized transportation solutions for their customers. The company's expansion plans include leasing 10,000-square-feet of new office space and to hire 75 new employees. The majority of these available positions will be in the sales department that grew 300% in 2009. (Contact: Sylvia Pankiewicz, 727-450-7800 x7840, [email protected])

Paris-based Medical Equipment Manufacturer Locates U.S. HQ in Tampa Bay

Trod Medical S.A., a medical equipment manufacturer based in Paris, France, opened its U.S. headquarters in the Lakewood Ranch area of Manatee County in September. The Florida location will spearhead the company's launch of its FDA-approved surgical device in early summer 2010 focusing in areas of urology, radiation oncology and interventional radiology. The device is used to treat soft tissues involving the prostate, liver and kidney and uses radio frequency technology to heat diseased tissue and halt its growth. The company plans to hire distribution and offices staff by mid 2010 and will also assemble a team of regional sales directors around the country. (Contact: Manfred Sablowski, 941-567-4096, [email protected])

Metromont Begins Construction on Tampa Bay Manufacturing Plant

Metromont Corporation has begun construction on 50,000-square-foot state-of-the-art pre-cast/pre-stressed concrete manufacturing plant on an 80 acre site in Polk County. Headquartered in Greenville, SC, the company estimates it will create 100 high wage jobs over a three year period with a capital investment in Polk County of $6 - $8 million. (Contact: Eric Scherden, 813-282-6776, [email protected])

USF Patented Drug at Center of Major Venture

A drug created and patented by a team of University of South Florida researchers is at the center of an announced deal between global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca PLC and Targacept, Inc., potentially earning the university its most lucrative patent royalties to date. The drug, TC-5214, is the invention of USF researchers Paul Sanberg and Douglas Shytle, retired USF psychiatry professor Archie Silver and former student Mary Newman. In December, AstraZeneca and Targacept announced a collaboration and license agreement for the global development and commercialization of TC-5214 as it enters its final stages of testing. TC-5214 is viewed as a promising alternative to antidepressants currently on the market, about half of which do not work for people who suffer from depression. Earlier studies have found TC-5214 - an adjuvant medicine - more effective for those who have not been helped by commonly used drugs, and with fewer side effects. The decade-long effort to develop the drug received early support from the Florida High Tech Corridor. (Contact: Vickie Chachere, (813) 974-6251 or [email protected])

Micro Star Innovation Announces Tampa Bay Expansion Plans, Adding 30 Jobs

Micro Star Innovations announced expansion plans to double its existing Pinellas County facility to 30,000-square-feet and add 30 new jobs that will pay 150% of the average annual wage. Micro Star Innovation specializes in scientific molding techniques and insert over-molding capabilities, providing its customers with a one-stop shop for their medical device, automotive component and telecommunications needs. (Contact: Phil Johnson, 727-539-7200, [email protected])

Move of Company HQ to Tampa Bay Means Jobs and Job Training

Clockwork Home Services, one of North America's fastest growing operators of home services franchises and affinity group memberships, is bringing its rapidly expanding Success Group International (SGI) division to Sarasota County. SGI, which acts as a "college for contractors" to help independent contractor-owners in the home services industry to become more successful. The company will relocate its headquarters from St. Louis to Sarasota within six months. SGI expects to fill 30 positions in Sarasota over the next two years, according to Kathy Baylis, president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, which assisted the company with state and local performance-based incentives aimed at bringing good jobs to Sarasota County. (Contact: Brad Barnett, 877-962-8181, [email protected])

Teltronics Relocates HQ to Larger Tampa Bay Facility

Teltronics Inc. announced the relocation of its headquarters to a larger facility in north Manatee County. Teltronics designs, develops and manufactures electronic equipment and applications software systems that enhance the performance of communications networks. The new headquarters facility includes 21,520 sq. ft. of office space and 30,000 sq. ft. of manufacturing space. Manufacturing at the new facility is scheduled to begin the first quarter of 2010. The company has 114 employees in Manatee County and 188 worldwide. (Contact: Candy Mizer, 941-753-5000, [email protected])

SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership