Tampa Bay News Briefs

TAMPA BAY, Fla., May 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- News briefs concerning economic and business growth in the Tampa Bay region from the Tampa Bay Partnership:

Sun Hydraulics Adds Third Manufacturing Facility in Tampa Bay, Plans 361 New Jobs
Sun Hydraulics Corp. has started construction on a 78,000 square-foot, $6 million manufacturing facility adjacent to its existing operations in Manatee County. The expansion – Sun's third manufacturing facility in Tampa Bay – could lead to 361 new jobs over the next five years, potentially bringing Sun's total employment in the region to over 1,000. With customers across the globe, Sun Hydraulics designs and manufactures high performance screw-in hydraulic cartridge valves and manifolds which are used to control force, speed and motion as integral components in fluid power systems. Since 2011, Sun has invested $19 million on improvements to utilities serving both the existing and the new buildings, in addition to approximately $1.5 million on renovations to its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Sarasota County. (Contact: Rich Arter, 941-362-1200, [email protected])

SteriPack Locates High-Tech Manufacturing Facility in Tampa Bay, Adds Jobs
The Central Florida Development Council and the Lakeland Economic Development Council have announced the recent location of SteriPack's first U.S. high-tech manufacturing facility to the Parkway Corporate Park in Lakeland. A leading manufacturer of flexible medical packaging with plants in Ireland, Poland and Malaysia, SteriPack plans to hire 65 employees at more than 115% of Polk County's average annual wage. The company will also provide contract services and engineering and laboratory support to the medical device original equipment manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. The total capital investment for the project was $7 million. (Contact: Lindsay Volpe, 863-551-4704, [email protected])

Marinetek Opens North American Headquarters in Tampa Bay
In May 2012, Marinetek N.A., Inc. opened its new division offices in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida to service North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Established in Finland in 1994, the Marinetek Group Corporation has expanded to more than 45 countries and specializes in marine services and solutions. Marinetek will create 50 new jobs through positions in sales, operations, engineering and planning, as well as packing operations with the development of its manufacturing site planned in the city's Dome Industrial Park (DIP). St. Petersburg was selected for its accessibility to port facilities, attractive employment environment, available land, great lifestyle and local access to materials necessary for the environmentally-friendly floating dock systems. (Contact: Mario Farias, 727-641-9886, [email protected])

Global Organic Specialty Source Plans Expansion, New Jobs in Tampa Bay
Global Organic Specialty Source, Inc., a wholesale distributor of organic produce, plans to combine its Miami and Manatee County operations in a larger Sarasota County facility to accommodate the company's growth. The expansion is expected to result in 62 new jobs over the next five years, including leadership positions, staff for the frozen food business, quality control, operations, marketing, sales and procurement. The company will invest $930,000 to renovate the building anticipated to open in July of 2012, and add new equipment to automate processes and support its expansion into handling frozen food products. (Contact: Ronnie Blumenthal, 941-358-6555 ext. 321, [email protected]) 

Tampa Bay's Ambient Technologies, Inc. Receives Presidential Export Award
Ambient Technologies, Inc., located in St. Petersburg, Florida, was among 41 U.S. companies and organizations recently honored at the President's "E" Awards ceremony.  Ambient received the "E" Award for Exports for demonstrating a sustained increase in export sales over several years. The Pinellas County business is a part of a multi-disciplinary group of companies that provides geophysical, drilling, surveying, utility locating, non-destructive testing, energy conservation and generation, and geo-construction support services. "E" Award recipients contribute to the President's National Export Initiative (NEI) goal of doubling U.S. exports in order to support American jobs. Since the implementation of the NEI in 2010, the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration has assisted more than 9,200 U.S. companies record an export success, supporting more than $100 billion in U.S. exports. (Contact: Sandra Campbell, 727-893-3738, [email protected])

Interconnect Cable Technologies Corporation Plans Major Expansion in Tampa Bay
Having operated at the Hernando County Airport in approximately 24,000 square feet of manufacturing space since 1988, Interconnect Cable Technologies Corporation (ICTC) has experienced rapid growth, creating the need for a facility expansion. With 76 full-time employees, the company is a leading producer of customized data and power cabling products. ICTC plans to purchase a 30,000 square-foot facility located on 4.84 acres in the Industrial Park from the Hernando County Airport on an "as is" basis and renovate it into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.  With the expansion, ICTC will invest approximately $2.2 million in the premises and $500,000 in capital equipment, adding 40 new full-time positions over three years. Building renovations are planned for completion by the first quarter of 2013. (Contact: Michael McHugh, 352-540-6400, [email protected])

Inverness Airport Breaks Ground for New Ground Terminal and Maintenance Hanger
Citrus County's Inverness Airport broke ground in May 2012 on a new terminal and maintenance hangar being built nearby a proposed airport business park. The terminal/maintenance hangar project is being funded by multiple grants totaling $1.65 million, with 80% of the funding through the Florida Department of Transportation and 20% through the County. In 2010, the general aviation airport, owned by Citrus County, extended its runway to 5,000 feet to accommodate a wider array of aircraft. The following year, the County contracted with a new fixed base operator, Whiskey Bravo Air, to manage the airport. The new terminal and maintenance hangar will allow Whiskey Bravo Air to expand their operations and services to the business and recreational aviation community.  (Contact: John Seifert, 352-795-2000, [email protected] )

Tampa Bay Communities Named Top Arts Destinations for Third Consecutive Year
St. Petersburg, Florida has been chosen as the nation's No.1 Top 25 Arts Destination for mid-sized U.S. cities for a third year in a row by AmericanStyle magazine's readers, capturing 39% of the polling vote. Tampa ranked third in the mid-sized city category. Sarasota and Bradenton also made the list for the third year in a row, taking the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively, in the small city category. St. Petersburg continues expanding its arts and culture offerings, while ensuring diversity and affordability for residents and visitors. Recent examples include the Crislip Arcade becoming an eclectic mix of artist studios, retail and gallery space; the Chihuly Collection gallery; the new Salvador Dali Museum; an Arts and Entertainment Pass; and the Warehouse Arts District providing artists with fabrication space. (Contact: Elizabeth Brincklow, 727-551-3250, [email protected])

SOURCE Tampa Bay Partnership