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SRQ DAILY Feb 8, 2016

Monday Business Edition

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Monday Business Edition

"These workers will have the opportunity to continue with some kind of education and development, then have higher wages."

- Deborah Chapman, CareerEdge Funders Collaborative
 

[Workforce]  Employment By Industry

Nonagricultural employment included about 283,400 jobs within the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area, according to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. That marked a 1,300-job increase from November and a 4,400-job increase from December 2014. Service jobs remain king in the region 

[Workforce]  CareerEdge Launches Tuition-Free CNA Program
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

A tuition-free program to certify more nursing assistants in the region will address a workforce shortage in the health care field and offer an immediate chance for 15 students to earn critical marketable skills. CareerEdge Funders Collaborative will fund a Certified Nursing Assistant program at Manatee Technical College's Lakewood Ranch campus, running Feb. 29-May 25, for students ages 18-25.  

CareerEdge officials said the program is the most recent attempt to help up-skill workers in the region and put them into a field with the opportunity to climb a ladder of success. “These workers will have the opportunity to continue with some kind of education and development, then have higher wages,” said Deborah Chapman, program director for CareerEdge. She noted that like all CareerEdge programs, this was developed to meet employer need in the region. Meeting with major medical institutions that are part of the Sarasota Manatee Healthcare Collaborative, as well as other care providers like nursing homes, CareerEdge identified nursing assistants as a resource in need, as well as a chance for individuals seeking professional employment with upward mobility the chance to get into the field for the first time.

A total of 15 students will be enrolled in this first class, which they will each attend tuition free with a scholarship valued at approximately $975. Chapman noted that the highest demand in the health field for employees remains for registered nurses, but numerous college programs around the state have been designed to address that need. This program looking to certify nursing assistants is one of a fewer number of CNA efforts trying to get workers entry into the nursing field.

Those interested in enrollment should call 941-752-8100, ext. 2127 for more information. Applications are due Feb. 18, and candidates will be screened through MTC’s regular process for healthcare workers. 

[Hospitality]  Aloft Expects Locals, Business Travelers
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

After years of unmet demand in Downtown Sarasota for a hotel in the city core, Aloft Sarasota has opened its doors to guests. “Our ownership and development team wanted to be the first to come to market with a hotel in this space,” said Jason Samson, general manager for the Ringling Boulevard hotel. SRQ sat down with Samson to talk about the new business, also the first Starwood Hotels and Resorts facility to open in the Sarasota market.

Many amenities in the hotel will be open to the public. What percentage of traffic do you anticipate to be from guests versus locals stopping by the Re:mix lounge and WXYZ bar? Unlike a lot of brands, Aloft is really a place for people to gather. I expect to to be about 50/50, because we have a component of clientele with apartments at One Palm, and then you have a lot of condominiums on Gulf Stream and you have businesses on Ringling and other high-rises downtown. We’ve been marketing to people downtown, and people have been knocking on our doors for two weeks seeing when we were going to open. 

The hotel has plenty of room amenities aimed at working travelers. What mix of visitors are you expecting to use the hotel? Most likely it’s going to be 40 percent business/60 percent leisure. Rooms right now are priced in the mid-200s, and in March it will be from the low-200s to the high 300s. Out of season, rates will be between $159 to $200. We’re expecting occupancy when the market really starts turning into peak season in the next few weeks. After President's Day weekend, we expect a quick ramp-up. 

Photo by Wyatt Kostygan. Jason Samson gives a media tour of Aloft Sarasota.

[Opening]  Ribbon Cut on State Street Garage

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held by the City of Sarasota to commemorate the official grand opening of the State Street Garage in Downtown Sarasota. The facility, located between Orange and Lemon avenues, features five parking decks that can accommodate 395 vehicles, plus an additional eight cars on the adjacent surface lot. Four electric car charging stations are available, as is bicycle storage.  Retail space is located on the ground level. The State Street Garage mixed-use project received an award of merit from the Florida Parking Association. 

City of Sarasota

[Exec Moves]  United Way Announces 2016 Board

United Way Suncoast announced its board of directors for 2016. Officers include: EMF Consulting of Tampa Bay Principal Mark Fernandez, chair; CapTrust Financial Advisors Managing Principal Eric Bailey, vice chair;Regions Bank Sarasota/Bradenton City President Kimberly Hopper, secretary; and Northern Trust Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist Daniel Vigne, treasurer/finance chair. 

United Way Suncoast

[Exec Moves]  Striplin Joins Mariash Lowther

Isabelle Striplin has joined Mariash Lowther Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch in Sarasota as a financial advisor. Striplin comes to Mariash Lowther from Morgan Stanley and with 20 years financial service experience. 

Mariash Lowther Wealth Management

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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