Local Buzz

AmeriLife Group, based in Clearwater, will acquire Crump Life Insurance Services and Hanleigh Management from TIH Insurance Holdings. Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025 pending customary approvals, were not disclosed. Crump, one of the largest providers of life insurance and retirement products in the United

Seth Milbrand has been named chief operating officer of the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg, bringing more than 20 years of experience with YMCA associations to the role. Milbrand previously was the district vice president at the YMCA of the Suncoast, overseeing operations at four branches. During his tenure, he led initiatives such as developing

It’s always interesting to see which stories garner the most interest. As someone who monitors these numbers regularly (and sometimes obsessively), I still get surprised every year. There are factors out of our control, for example if a story gets picked up and shared with a new audience, or something is being looked for in

New Jersey-based automation machinery manufacturer Norwalt is expanding its presence in Hillsborough County with a new 28,000-square-foot facility, at Crossroads Logistics Park. The company plans to create 20 additional jobs, over the next three years, including positions for electrical and mechanical engineers, programmers and technicians. Norwalt first entered the Tampa market in 2022, leasing 10,000

The South Tampa Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, on Dec. 11, at the Centre Club. The event, presented by Tampa General Hospital, highlighted the Chamber’s activities over the past year including welcoming 140 new members, hosting 80 events with more than 6,500 participants and supporting 35 ribbon cuttings for local

David Dennis, president and chief executive officer of Eckerd Connects, in Clearwater, will retire on June 30, 2025, after 18 years leading the national nonprofit. Dennis joined Eckerd Connects, in 2007, when the organization was struggling financially. He guided its transformation into a stable, nationally recognized nonprofit and oversaw the merger of four organizations, expanding

LowCarbon, a global climate technology company, has moved its United States headquarters to Tampa. The relocation adds to LowCarbon’s presence in Florida, including its Mulberry Hydrogen Plant, which began development earlier in 2024. The plant is expected to produce 10 tons of clean hydrogen daily, by 2026, supporting Florida’s hydrogen economy and serving industries such

Ronald A. Christaldi, partner at Shumaker and president of Shumaker Advisors Florida, has received the 2024 H.L. Culbreath Jr. Profile in Leadership Award from the Tampa Bay Chamber. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership has made a lasting impact on the Tampa Bay community. A prominent attorney and community leader, Christaldi chairs the Tampa Bay

The first studio is set to open in Midtown Tampa.

Bay Food Brokerage, a Tampa-based retail food brokerage serving the Southeast, has introduced a new logo and updated brand identity. The company, which has been in business for over 30 years, recently acquired a new office building in Tampa’s Westshore Business District, for $4.3 million. The two-story, 11,975-square-foot property, at 5201 W. Laurel St., nearly

Savage Coffees, a Panama-based coffee producer and roastery known for its Geisha coffee, will open its first café in the United States at The Nolen, a 23-story luxury condominium near Beach Drive, in downtown St. Petersburg. Founded in 2016 by Jamison and Leslie Savage, the company has earned global recognition for its innovations in coffee

Saddlebrook Resort has unveiled its new 13-acre driving range, marking the first milestone in a $92 million renovation. Designed by golf course architect Rees Jones and associate Bryce Swanson, the facility includes a double-sided range, two TifEagle bermudagrass putting greens and three short game areas with bunkers. Other plans include transforming the property’s two 18-hole