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SRQ DAILY Apr 28, 2015

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"It's a global economy and there are lots of opportunities for local companies to expand."

- Sharon Hillstrom, Bradenton Area EDC
 

[Trade]  Panel Explores Opportunities in Mexico
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

While Southwest Florida is pretty far from the Mexican border, transport of goods by sea or air make it a nearby market for companies looking to do international business. State economic officials and local business leaders will come together for a panel next week at State College of Florida to discuss the commercial policies in key parts of central and southern Mexico. 

Lee Kotwicki, director of Workforce Solutions at SCF, said a panel being held at the college’s Lakewood Ranch campus will give an opportunity for area business owners to explore shipping policies. “The purpose is to inform our companies about how they can go about exporting,” Kotwicki said. That will include discussion in a broad sense, as well as specific logistics issues such as freight forwarding and whether a company should hire a customs broker. 

The event was inspired in part by a visit to the region by Ana Arroyo Yllanes, director for Enterprise Florida Mexico. Yllanes normally is stationed in Mexico City but will be here for three days. The panel will also include Carlos Diaz with World Direct Shipping, a company that operates a congainer ship providing direct seat transport between Port Manatee and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. 

Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, said the event is part of a series of workshops focused on exporting for local industry. “It’s a global economy and there are lots of opportunities for local companies to expand,” she said.

The event will be held May 8 at SCF Lakewood Ranch from 1-3pm. Cost is $35. Register at scf.edu/ccdenroll or contact Kotwicki at 941-363-7218. 

[Education]  Manatee Superintendent Announces Departure Plans
Jacob Ogles, jacob.ogles@srqme.com

Manatee County Superintendent of Schools Rick Mills announced he will retire at the end of July. The decision comes amid a rocky relationship with the School Board through most of his time in charge of the district, and after an election brought the ouster of a School Board chairman who was there when he was hired.

During an interview for an article appearing in the May issue of SRQ, Mills acknowledged his relationship with the board had been strained. He announced earlier this year he did not want his contract extended, though at the time he remained optimistic about whether he would stay with the district. His contract was set to expire in 2017. A press release from the school district notes that since his hire in March 2013, Mills oversaw a "total financial transformation" of the district, coming in to a district with an $8.9 million budget deficit and now operating with a $14.4 million surplus.

But his practices were also controversial. Heavy turnover in district staffing was a criticism leveled during the political season, when School Board Member Julie Aranibar was defeated by Mary Cantrell. In recent weeks, Mills has sparred over citizen complaints made to the School Board. He also was pushing for the district to consider alternative sources of revenue to fund the district, which could require putting a tax to voters to weigh in on in an upcoming election.

During the interview with SRQMills said regardless of the future, he was pleased with district operations under his watch. "I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished," he said, "but I want to keep us on that path.” 

[Opening]  Neal Signature Unveiling MiraBay

Neal Signature Homes, a Lakewood Ranch-based luxury homebuilder, is introducing MiraBay in Apollo Beach to the community on Saturday with a grand opening event.Guests will have the opportunity to browse the homebuilder’s Siesta Key 2 model. The two-story model features three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a family room and den, large and open kitchen with walk-in pantry, covered front porch, porte-cochere and two-car garage. MiraBay is home to four coastal-style floor plans offered by Neal Signature Homes, including the Siesta Key, Siesta Key 2, Key Biscayne and Key Largo. Floor plans range in size from 2,375 to 3,223 square feet. 

Neal Signature Homes

[Opening]  Yo! Sushi Opening at UTC

Yo! Sushi, an International Japanese restaurant brand which already operates 86 sushi establishments worldwide, will open its second U.S. location Friday at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota. In keeping with YO! Sushi’s signature style, the food will be served via a 250-foot long conveyer belt that continuously circles the restaurant, offering freshly prepared sushi and a wide selection of Japanese classics. 

Yo! Sushi

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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