education

► Moss Construction, in Tampa, was awarded a $14 million contract to renovate Northwest Elementary School in Hudson. ► ReliaQuest, a Tampa-based cybersecurity firm, entered into a partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that includes its designation as the team’s official cybersecurity partner ►Bank of America is partnering with Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, Beth El Farmworker Ministry, St. Pete

Business leaders are ready to return to work. As we adapt to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines, and welcome back employees and customers, the place childcare holds in our economy should be top of mind. COVID-19 has brought into clear focus how important childcare and early learning are to the business community.

►Tampa-based SoFresh, an emerging, fresh casual restaurant that serves nutritious, made-to-order healthy meals, expanded its franchise business and is scheduled to open three new Florida locations this year, the first being at Westshore Town Center (next to Starbucks). (Pictured above) ► Wrench Group, a national home repair and maintenance services company headquartered in Marietta, Georgia,

► St. Petersburg College completed the Joseph H. Lang Sr. Student Success Center, at the St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus, at 6605 Fifth Ave. N. (Pictured above) ►The owner of Budget Blinds of central Tampa, Tarpon Springs and Dunedin, Rob Emmerson along with his business partner and wife, Annemarie, donated $25,000 to Camelot Community Care’s Independent Living

►Solar Power World recognized the efforts of solar contractors across the United States in its 2020 Top Solar Contractors list, where Sarasota solar installer Brilliant Harvest earned a rank of 352, among companies from across the country, and 34th in Florida. ►Drinkware manufacturer Tervis, based in North Venice, launched wide-mouth water bottles which are now

►A new scholarship, named for Florida Polytechnic University trustee Frank T. Martin, was established to provide more opportunities to African American students and help them achieve their STEM career ambitions. ► Watson Clinic, based in Lakeland, added physician Yeneneh Desta to the infectious diseases department at Watson Clinic Main and Melissa Kham, a registered nurse

Quick business updates across Hillsborough County, including Axiom Bank, Joffrey’s Coffee, real estate deals, new hires and local company news.

Settling into the long Florida summer, industries and individuals are still grappling with the new normal in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even as our community, and business leaders, move forward with safety protocols for the re-emerging economy, families and companies are moving forward with positive lessons learned throughout the crisis. As John F.

►Transwestern Development, in partnership with a private real estate fund advised by Crow Holdings Capital-Real Estate, acquired 183.5 acres that will be developed as a speculative 1 million-square-foot industrial facility at 6200 State Road 33 N. in Lakeland. (Rendering above) ►Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate in Lakeland reported the sale of 3 Creeks Crossing

►Family-owned, international berry supplier Wish Farms broke ground on its new  headquarters in Plant City. ►Polk State College and United Way of Central Florida launched a pilot program to provide students financial assistance, called “Destination Graduation.” ►Kaylee Strickland of Lithia opened The Back Pocket Recording Studio in Plant City at 1514 S. Alexander St., suite

The University of Tampa Board of Fellows kicked of the school year with a social on August 14 at the university. Click through the gallery to see more images.

A roundup of leadership moves, promotions, mergers and investments across Hillsborough County.