Business Observer

+ Girls Inc. receives $100,000 donation
JCI Jones Chemical Inc. has awarded $100,000 to Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County. The contribution will fund scholarships for girls to attend Girls Inc.’s after-school programs.

“We are extremely appreciative for our donation and applaud JCI Jones Chemical Inc. for recognizing the needs of the young girls in our community,” said Stephania Feltz, executive director of Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County. “JCI continues to be the quintessential partner, not only through its monetary donations, but through its staff volunteering with our board and through its advocacy efforts in the community.”

+ Octex breaks ground on $7.6 million expansion
Sarasota-based Octex recently broke ground on a 26,000-square-foot expansion to its production facility, located at 901 Sarasota Center Blvd.

The $7.6 million expansion, funded in part by a $200,000 development grant from Sarasota County, will increase the company’s production facility to more than 60,000 square feet total and will accommodate more than 80 new employees whom Octex expects to hire within the next several years.
Jim Westman, owner of Octex, expects to complete the expansion in March.

+ SCF Technology and Simulation Center honored
The U.S. Green Building Council has named the State College Of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota’s Medical Technology and Simulation Center as an outstanding project finalist for its LEEDership Awards.

A key component of the design is the state-of-the-art critical care Simulation Center, which was conceived by the Fawley Bryant architect team to provide a replica of an actual hospital ICU. With seven suites, a birthing simulation unit and central nursing monitoring station, the facility has become nationally known as a prototype for nursing training.

The center was completed in August 2010. The achievement of LEED Gold Certification was celebrated by SCF and the design/construction team with a dedication ceremony Sept. 29.

+ Grapevine hires account executive
Jason Drosky recently joined Grapevine Communications as a full-time account executive. Drosky will help manage an increase in business as the agency expands its client base beyond Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Formerly, Drosky was an account executive with one of Miami’s leading automotive advertising agencies, where he managed the accounts of several major corporate automotive dealers. He has 15 years of experience in the advertising industry.

+ SunTrust Bank, Goodwill team up for workshops
SunTrust Bank and Goodwill Manasota have partnered to sponsor free interview workshops that will provide job seekers an opportunity to hone their interview skills.

The workshops will take place Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at various locations and are open to the public.
Call 809-2223 for more information.