Business Observer

+ Area businesses benefit from Premier
When Schroeder-Manatee Ranch announced its Premier Sports Complex in Lakewood Ranch in January, it promised a significant boost in the local economy.

It seems that the complex is fulfilling that promise.

Earlier this month, the 2011 Development Academy Winter Showcase and Nike International Friendlies brought 21,000 people to Lakewood Ranch. The highly anticipated international match between the Brazil U17 team and the U.S. U17 team attracted more than 6,000 people to the community.

SMR officials estimates the economic impact from this tournament at about $6 million. In 2012, 25 events are already scheduled at the Premier Sports Campus, with a projected economic impact of more than $60 million.

“Busy is an understatement — we were definitely busy,” said Drew Dalabakis, Carrabba’s Italian Grill managing partner. “It gave us a great jump in December. We’re up maybe 20% for the week already for those two days, so it was very significant.”

Rob Ferguson, director of sales for Holiday Inn/Fairfield Suites, agreed.

“It’s been crazy, probably since Nov. 26 — so for about 13 days, we’ve been nearly sold out from a variety of events at the fields,” he said.

+ Turner Tree reports record-breaking sales
With 91 current contracts, Turner Tree and Landscape is enjoying about double the business it had one year ago.

In April alone, the company signed 20 contracts — a company record — for tree and landscape work.
About 38 of Turner’s 91 contracts are under way.

Turner Tree is headquartered at 2504 64th St. Court E. For more, call 745-2101.

Jose Silva joins Blue Skye Lending
Jose Silva recently joined Lakewood Ranch-based Blue Skye Lending as a loan officer.

Silva has eight years of experience in various aspects of the mortgage industry. He started his mortgage career as an account executive for Yale Mortgage Corp., a wholesale hard equity lender in Miami. Later, he worked for Emigrant Funding Corp. as an account executive in the commercial real estate division. He then joined Pacific National Bank as an assistant vice president.

As a commercial lender, he financed various property types, such as shopping centers, office buildings, mixed-use, multifamily and construction projects. Prior to joining Blue Skye, he was the co-founder of a website that specialized in the marketing of bank-owned and distressed properties.

Silva served on the board of directors for the Miami Chapter of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers from 2004 to 2007 and was a state director for FAMB from 2005 to 2007.

A Miami native, Silva received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.

Blue Skye Lending is located at 8130 Lakewood Main St., Suite 205, Lakewood Ranch. For more, contact Silva at 256-8420, (305) 801-1112 or [email protected].