Business Observer 11.30.10

+ Anheuser-Busch marks America Recycles Day
Anheuser-Busch recognized America Recycles Day by donating $500,000 to mark the occasion.

This gift will assist the organization in its ongoing efforts to educate the public on the important of recycling and litter prevention. In addition, the donation will fund a grant program to assist event recycling by providing nearly 3,000 recycling bins to communities across the country.

Gold Coast Eagle, the local distributor for Anheuser-Bush products in Sarasota and Manatee counties, has a daily recycling program and “Green Initiative” master plan that is continually improved and upgraded. Every two weeks, eight 500-pound bales of shrink-wrap and five 500-pound bales of cardboard are recycled. Import pallets are sold for re-use in out-of-country shipping or shredded to make mulch, and glass, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, neon glass and bottle caps are also recycled.

With its investment in GPS technology to model its fuel usage, the company expects a 15% reduction in carbon emissions with its 160-vehicle fleet.

+ Selby Foundation awards $750,000 in grants
The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation recently selected 27 local non-profit organizations to receive a total of $752,138 in capital grants. Most of the funding will be used to upgrade technology or improve infrastructure, vital activities sometimes overlooked.

“The need for support is still strong in this area due to the economy, so our board was gratified it could fund so many worthy non-profits,” said Dr. Sarah Pappas, foundation president.

The recipient organizations represent the entire range of Selby Foundation grant-making interests include arts and culture, education, community and human services.

Arts organizations include Asolo Theatre ($25,000); Circus Sarasota ($22,000); Players Inc. ($38,500); Sarasota Opera ($19,9339); Suncoast Concert Band ($15,900) and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe ($41,000).

Education organizations include the AMI Kids of Manatee ($46,000); Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland ($14,500) and Literacy Council of Sarasota County ($15,415).

Community organizations include the Downtown Sarasota Alliance ($31,000); Historic Spanish Point ($15,000); Mote Marine Laboratory ($50,000) and SCOPE ($40,000).

Human Service organizations include American Red Cross ($31,000); American Red Cross, Southwest Chapter ($10,000); Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) Desoto ($40,000); Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County ($65,000); Exchange Club Family Partnership of Manatee County ($36,000); Family Network on Disabilities of Manatee/Sarasota ($10,679); Salvation Army of Sarasota ($24,476) and Senior Friendship Centers ($47,700).

For more information on the specific purposes of each grant, visit www.selbyfdn.org.

+ Rick Scott starts team to lower health costs
Governor-Elect Rick Scott recently announced a Health and Human Services Transition Team to help lower health care costs for Florida families.

He is sending the health care professionals on a mission to identify ways to reduce the size of government, lower health care costs and transform the delivery of health services to better meet the needs of those most vulnerable in the state as he implements his plan to create 700,000 jobs over the next seven years.

The team is tasked with identifying innovative ideas from the private sector, success stories from other states, cost-saving opportunities and legislative priorities for Scott’s 7-7-7 job plan.

+ AARP seeks volunteers for tax aid program
The AARP is looking for volunteers to fill the role of tax preparers, greeters and reviewers, and who can devote about 8 hours a week at one or more of its.

With tax season drawing near, the local AARP Tax Aide Volunteer Program, sponsored by the IRS, has an ongoing need for volunteers at all experience levels, especially those who have prior tax-related experience or are computer literate. Knowledge of TurboTax is helpful.

Free training materials and computer-based training will be provided beginning January 2011. Volunteers must pass a written open book test to be certified to prepare taxes. AARP offers services at Gulf Gate, Selby, and Fruitville libraries and the Senior Friendship Center.

For information, contact Sid Schwalbe at [email protected] or Sharon Davisson at [email protected].

+ CertaPro Painters opens shop in Sarasota
Roy Jaime moved from Nicaragua to the United Sates 24 years ago and spent the last 15 years in the medical and dental industry. But after spending so much time in corporate America, Jaime was ready for a fresh start.

Jaime opened CertaPro Painters Oct. 1, at 8466 N. Lockwood Ridge Road. The company is the largest painting company in North America, with 328 locations worldwide. The local business services Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Siesta Key and Venice. CertaPro Painters expects to have more than 500 locations open or in development by the end of 2011.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].