By CHRISTINA K. COSDON
Published December 22, 2003
LARGO - The Young-Rainey STAR Center has received a $2-million grant from the Department of Energy to assist with upgrading the former government plant. It began converting eight years ago into a high-tech civilian industrial and research center.
Part of the grant will be used to repair the main building's roof, said Paul Sacco, STAR Center administrator. The repairs will complete the first phase of a plan to replace the entire roof, he said.
The money also will be used to renovate some office space in an effort to attract new tenants. The center currently has 22 tenants and has had as many as 26, Sacco said.
For more than 30 years, the 96-acre center was a government plant for the production of nuclear weapons components. It was sold in 1995 to the Pinellas County Industry Council. Raytheon Systems is the anchor tenant.
PrimeNet hires new executive
Leah Graham has joined PrimeNet Marketing Services in Clearwater as business development executive. She will be responsible for new business development of the company's data, print and mail products in the Tampa Bay area and Orlando, as well as the southern areas of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. She most recently was a strategic account manager with AT&T Business Services.
Based in St. Paul, Minn., PrimeNet provides direct marketing and support services to such industries as publishing, retail, health, nonprofit, financial, travel and leisure. The Clearwater operation at 2100 Palmetto St. offers design services, direct mail production and data processing.
Area architects to design facility
The design of Heron House, a 128-room adult living facility to be built on 2 acres in Largo, has been awarded to Wedding, Stephenson & Ibarguen Architects of St. Petersburg. The 56,000-square-foot facility is to be a single-story, Key West-style masonry structure with a metal roof. It will be on East Bay Drive just east of Keene Road.
Project architect Mark W. Stephenson said the $4.5-million project is in the permitting stage. Construction is to start next spring.
Realtors to open firm in East Lake
Palm Harbor businessman Doug Bravata and Tampa businessman Bob Delle Donne have become partners as franchisees of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates. Next month they will open Weichert, Realtors - Baytowne at 3450 East Lake Road in East Lake.
Bravata has been in the retail furniture business for 28 years and for the past seven years was a senior vice president of Kane's Furniture. Tampa native Donne worked a decade in the financial industry before going into real estate.
Based in Morris Plains, N.J., Weichert Real Estate Affiliates is a privately held company formed in 1969. It has been offering franchises since 2001.
U.S. Home hires construction chief
Kevin Hilpl has joined the Central Florida Division of U.S. Home, based at 311 Park Place Blvd., Clearwater, as construction manager. He has 15 years experience in construction and previously owned and operated a frame and trim firm in the Tampa Bay area.
Accountant joins Clearwater firm
Kristin Ferrini has joined Price Donoghue Ridenour certified public accountants and business consultants. She most recently was with a St. Petersburg CPA firm.
Price Donoghue Ridenour, at 29605 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater, was established in 1974 and offers accounting, auditing, tax, business valuation and trust and estate services.
- News of businesses and business people can be faxed to the Business Digest at 445-4119, e-mailed to cosdon@sptimes.com or mailed to Business Digest, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. We are interested in new and unusual businesses, promotions, expansions and major new contracts. Photos can be sent, but not all will be used and they cannot be returned.
