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Briefs

Talk of the bay: Window film maker's closing costs 109 jobs

By Times staff and wires
Published January 19, 2008

Window film manufacturer Film Technologies International shut down operations this week, eliminating 109 jobs, including 92 in St. Petersburg, where the company has its headquarters and manufacturing plant. The company, founded in 1975 as ITD Industries, produced solar, safety and security films.

Governments pull $1.1B from fund
Local governments pulled $1.1-billion from the state's troubled Local Government Fund on Friday, the most since it was opened Dec. 6 after a one-week suspension. Leading the way were state-run Citizens Property Insurance, which took out $370.9-million, and Hillsborough County, which took out $167.3-million. A run on the state pool was spurred after participants (mainly local governments and schools) learned it had holdings tainted by the subprime mortgage market's collapse. Hillsborough County officials couldn't be reached for comment.

Alico vote could spark family feud
Two Florida legislators who are also grandsons of legendary Florida citrus baron Ben Hill Griffin Jr. may end up in court after a board vote taken Friday. State Sen. J.D. Alexander was reportedly elected to replace his cousin, state Rep. Baxter Troutman, on the board of Alico Inc., a public company controlled by Griffin's descendants. Alexander, a Republican from Lake Wales, joins his father and brother-in-law on the nine-member Alico board. Both Alexanders have been strong proponents of developing Alico's 136,000 acres, which are now largely agricultural. Troutman has urged restraint in changing direction at one of the state's largest landowners.

All about housing
James Thorner digs deeper into bay area housing news in his (Un)Real Estate blog at blogs.tampabay.com/realestate.

[Last modified January 18, 2008, 23:18:00]