Thirsty Buffalo Brewing launches co-packing venture in Odessa

Thirsty Buffalo Brewing Company has launched Craftek Beverages, a family-run beverage co-packing company, based at its 8,000-square-foot Brew Factory, in Odessa. The new venture will focus on helping emerging beverage brands develop and scale products, including THC and CBD seltzers, energy drinks and wellness beverages. Craftek offers custom formulations, consulting and low minimum order quantities … Read more

USF Sarasota-Manatee to build new $6.5 million STEM facility

The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus plans to build a new $6.5 million STEM academic facility, a project that leaders say will expand access to high-quality lab instruction in chemistry, biology and physics for students across the university system. The 7,000-square-foot building will include modern labs, prep space, utilities, restrooms, site work, equipment and … Read more

Applications open for $3 million disaster relief fund for independent restaurants

Applications opened on Sept. 3 for the Independent Restaurant Coalition and Chase Disaster Relief Fund, a $3 million grant program for independently owned restaurants, bars, cafés and food trucks impacted by natural disasters within the past year. The grants can be used to cover property damage, temporary operating expenses, lost inventory and other recovery costs. … Read more

LD&D secures $5.4 million grant to add workforce housing at DoMo at Cass Square

Miami-based real estate firm LD&D has been awarded a $5.4 million workforce housing grant from the Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency to support the inclusion of 30 income-eligible apartments at DoMo at Cass Square, a $200 million mixed-use project in downtown Tampa. The units will account for about 10 percent of a planned 27-story multifamily tower, … Read more

Aloft and Element Tampa Midtown names general manager

The Aloft and Element Tampa Midtown hotel has appointed Jason Perkins as its new general manager. Perkins will oversee operations at Tampa’s first dual-branded hotel, which opened in 2021 and combines the loft-inspired design of Aloft with the eco-conscious concept of Element. His responsibilities include managing guest services, financial performance and team leadership. Perkins previously … Read more

Two Shumaker partners named Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America

Shumaker partners Ronald A. Christaldi and Jade Davis have been named Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America; a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of 1 percent of American attorneys. Fellowship is extended by invitation only to lawyers who demonstrate excellence in litigation at both trial and appellate levels, as well … Read more

USF signs $85 million contract with U.S. Army to advance national security research

The University of South Florida has secured a five-year contract with the U.S. Army, worth up to $85 million, to conduct research in cybersecurity, biotechnology and energy sciences. The agreement with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory, known as DEVCOM ARL, was signed during a ceremony at USF’s Tampa campus. “This … Read more