Pro Football Hall of Famer and Tampa Bay icon Rondé Barber has joined Crooked Tea as an equity partner, aligning with the organic hard iced tea brand shortly after its sponsorship debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, during the franchise’s 50th season. Crooked Tea says it is the first zero-sugar, USDA Organic, gluten-free hard iced … Read more
A rooftop garden could soon rise above The Central, a mixed-use development in St. Petersburg’s Edge District. Ellison Development has proposed a nearly one-acre garden atop the project’s new parking garage, where visitors would find native plants, city views and dinosaur bones. At the heart of the concept is “Devaiah,” a 76-million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton named … Read more
The University Area Community Development Corporation has appointed Arturo Puckerin as its new chief executive officer and executive director. Puckerin, who has worked extensively in affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization, will oversee the nonprofit’s operations, staff and programs. His role also includes working with the board of directors, strengthening partnerships with local stakeholders and guiding … Read more
Real estate executive James Nozar has joined Kettler as president of development. Nozar, who previously led the launch of Water Street Tampa as the founding chief executive officer of Strategic Property Partners, will oversee all development efforts for Kettler, including the Gasworx project on the edge of Ybor City. He will direct its next phase … Read more
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
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
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
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
Pasco County may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about catching the perfect wave, but that could change by 2027. That’s when Peak Surf Park, a planned surf and recreation destination, aims to open in the Two Rivers area of Wesley Chapel. The project, founded by lifelong surfer and … Read more
FlyUSA has been named the fastest-growing private aviation company in the United States for the second year, ranking No. 419 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing privately held companies. In addition to national recognition, FlyUSA ranked 51st among Florida companies and 10th in the Travel and Hospitality category. “We are honored … Read more
