Business Observer
The Business Observer is the leading provider and most authoritative source of business and economic information affecting the Florida Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay to Naples.
4K sheltered at SMH during Milton, 7 babies delivered
Oct 10, 2024 · The surgery team at Sarasota Memorial Hospital worked through Hurricane Milton. Sarasota Memorial estimates its staff sheltered more than 4,000 people before, during and after Hurricane Milton between its downtown hospital campus, Venice hospital and freestanding ER in North Port. The head of the health system says the hospitals "stayed busy ...
As Milton makes its way, Longboat looks at $170M in Helene …
Oct 8, 2024 · As of Monday, Oct. 7, Town Manager Howard Tipton says the estimated damage is valued at around $170 million with over 2,000 properties impacted. Those numbers are expected to climb, Tipton says. Helene damage assessments are ongoing, and Hurricane Milton was tracked to make a direct hit near Longboat Key in the following days — which is ...
Sarasota fertility company completes merger with bioscience firm
Oct 14, 2024 · A Sarasota-based fertility company has merged with a bioscience business to form a publicly traded company. INVO Bioscience, which focuses on fertility treatments and clinics and is traded under the name INVO, completed its merger with Aventura-headquartered NAYA Biosciences, a company dedicated to oncology treatment and regenerative medicine, according to an Oct. 14 statement.
8 First Watch-owned restaurants still closed post-Milton
Oct 14, 2024 · East Manatee County-based First Watch says it closed more than 80 of its company-owned restaurants that were in Hurricane Milton’s path, and by Oct. 14, all but eight had reopened. The closed restaurants are mainly in the Tampa and St. Petersburg areas, according to a spokesperson for First Watch. Hurricane Milton made landfall in Siesta Key ...
Flight cancellations, airport updates from Hurricane Milton at TPA, …
Oct 7, 2024 · St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is reopening Saturday and resuming flights.
State Emergency Bridge Loan applications now available
Oct 10, 2024 · For additional assistance, contact 850-815-4925 or [email protected]. As it did for Hurricane Helene, Florida Commerce has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan, making $50 million available to Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Milton. Up to $50K is available for small businesses with up to 100 employees ...
Change is coming slow as Fort Myers Beach continues rebuild
Sep 23, 2024 · In the 24 months since Hurricane Ian struck Fort Myers Beach — it hit Sept. 28, 2022 — residents and officials have been dealing with the duel exercise of rebuilding and redefining life in the beach town. During that time, residential and commercial real estate sales have fluctuated, with investors stepping in to pick up distressed properties.
Florida's 573 Family Dollar stores in crosshairs as chain closes …
Mar 13, 2024 · According to the company’s 2023 annual report, as of January 2023 there were 8,206 Family Dollar stores ranging in size from 6,000 square feet to 8,000 square feet. Of those, about 570 are in Florida with 124 along the Gulf Coast. In an email to the Business Observer, the spokesperson wrote the decision came after the company late last year ...
Clearwater trudges on, while Clearwater Beach hit hard
Oct 10, 2024 · The Rumba Island Bar and Grill on Gulf to Bay in Clearwater was closed Thursday afternoon after Hurricane Milton struck October 9. Clearwater is open for business. Despite the effects of Hurricane Milton hitting Pinellas County, on Thursday evening, the city of Clearwater seems open and ready. Along Gulf to Bay Boulevard, the city’s main east ...