Business leaders in the state are hopeful one of the nation’s top roofing companies will move to the Gulf Coast. But since news broke that tax incentives would be offered inviting a firm into a market where rooftops are already big business, a political divide has erupted. The Sarasota County Commission today considers whether to offer the firm an incentives package to relocate here, and will face a choice between angering part of the politically powerful development industry or satisfying a hunger by state leaders to bring more corporations to Florida. “Certainly, having the headquarters of a national firm shines a very positive light on the community,” said Steve Queior, president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. “It creates more credibility and positive recognition than we could afford to buy in paid marketing and advertising.”

The name of the company considering a move has not been disclosed, but economic development officials identified it as “one of America’s largest roofing companies.” If the firm accepts a proposed incentives package, it would relocate headquarters here and bring 180 full-time jobs over five years with an average starting wage of $58,757. Commissioners will vote on contributing $216,000 toward a $1.08-million Qualified Targeted Industry tax refund incentive offered by the state. The board will also consider a $504,000 economic development incentive grant to assist in relocation expenses.

But roofers don’t appreciate tax dollars going toward a potential competitor. “This industry is already experiencing work shortages. To bring a company to compete with an already strained workforce doesn’t make sense,” said Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Mary Dougherty-Slapp. She notes Sarasota County already serves as corporate home to roofers like Sutter Roofing and Roofing by Curry.

For state officials, though, there remains a long-standing desire to attract corporate headquarters to the Sunshine State. While not speaking directly to this deal, Sean Helton, Enterprise Florida vice president of communications, said incentives typically get directed toward industries like aerospace or light manufacturing, but can be offered for any type of company considering locating its headquarters here. “Corporate headquarters typically have very well-paying jobs,” Helton said. “It helps to diversify the economy, and it also sends a good message to other businesses around the country.” He noted companies do their own research into whether a quality workforce can be found.

After news broke of the incentives offer, Sarasota County Economic Development Coordinator Jeff Maultsby requested an extra week so he and the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County could address community concerns. Economic development leaders urged the firm in question to commit in writing that it would not recruit employees from companies already doing business here. The firm also confirmed it will only hire professional, corporate jobs at the headquarters, not compete for roofing labor. In its contract, the company also stipulated it would not compete with local companies for projects.

Queior feels those provisions should allay concern. “It shows a positive, good faith sign they are willing to be a good civic citizen,” he said. But Slapp said doubts remain in the building community. “The first thing they will do when they get here,” she suggested, “is put an announcement in the newspaper advertising: accounts receivable, ‘roofing experience preferred;’ human resources people, ‘roofing experience preferred;’ estimators, ‘roofing experience preferred.’ It’s not just roofing, but construction as a whole that will be affected.”

To economic development officials, the protectionist mindset seems small compared to an estimated $194-million direct economic impact over the next five years if the company makes the move, with an indirect impact for local businesses of $181 million—not to mention an ongoing combined direct and indirect impact of $100 million every year going forward.

The incentives deal is scheduled for a vote at a County Commission meeting at the Sarasota County Administration Center. 

The British team of water connoisseurs at The Pure H2O Company announced that they will be situating their US headquarters in Sarasota to launch distribution of the Quatreau Tap and the RODI water purification system throughout America. 

Currently serving thousands throughout the UK, the Quatreau Tap allows boiling, sparkling or chilled water to immediately flow out of the faucet with a tap on the touch-screen display. The water becomes fizzy via a hidden CO2 canister and the water is preset to a fixed temperature—you'll never need to add ice or wait on a kettle again.

In the process, the system provides a 95 percent reduction in the consumer’s carbon footprint by eliminating the need for (and waste of) plastic bottles. The first and only of its kind, the Quatreau Tap delivers water they say is in fact more pure than bottled water. The RODI (reverse osmosis deionization) system removes 99.99 percent of inorganic and organic tap water impurities both naturally occurring and man-made, including pesticides such as slug poison, drug residues and petroleum derivatives and chemicals, such as 2D4 used in the flame retardant industry. The water emerging from the Quatreau is kinder both to the environment and your body.

When looking for a place to land their US headquarters, Sarasota presented an obvious choice; US President of Operations John Roddam has in the past been drawn to Sarasota's culture, beaches and health-centric and environmentally conscious lifestyle.  

Photo via QuatreauUSA.com

Quatreau USA

As the mercury rises this summer, you’ll doubtless see anklets popping up above the heels of everyone from your teenage niece to your personal accountant. A sophisticated version dwells at The Sand Dollar, a Bradenton Beach gift store where the décor resembles a mermaid’s cavern—if Princess Ariel were ever considering going into retail, this would be her spot. The Sand Dollar’s anklet offerings range from bold, jangling silver bells to more subtle designs featuring sea-glass beading. The pieces are just $7–$10, so stocking up on a whole bunch won’t set you back too many clams. Take note: ankle bracelets are no longer beach-only attire. After making appearances on the runway this season (see Calvin Klein and Chloé’s Spring 2016 ready-to-wear shows), the trend quickly caught on with celebrities like Jessica Alba, Behati Prinsloo and Taylor Swift. Whether you’re about to hit the beach or Michael’s on East, wearing one (or more) of these anklets is a subtle nod to Sarasota’s coastal vibe.   

The Sand Dollar Gift Shop, 5302 Marina Dr., Bradenton Beach, 941-778-2024

Kitchen gadgets can make preparing healthful food easier. One of my favorites is an inexpensive, stainless-steel rice cooker that I use almost daily. Whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet and a rice cooker breezes through brown rice, quinoa, millet, rolled oats, whole oat grains and more. Place the grain directly in the rice cooker, add water, turn it on and go off and do something else without worrying about it boiling over or burning. If there are leftovers, they can stay in the stainless-steel bowl and go straight to the refrigerator. To heat it up, just add a little water and plug in. 

Rice cooker tips:

- Add a diced apple or two, a handful of raisins and spices such as cardamom, a cinnamon stick or a few cloves to leftover brown rice. Pour in a cup or more of water and cook until the water is absorbed. This makes a delicious breakfast with fresh fruit and vegan milk or yogurt.

- Forget the microwave—cook your morning oatmeal in the rice cooker. Throw in an apple, raisins and spices, adjusting the water to give it your favorite consistency.

- Try brown rice cooked with kale or collard greens. The greens come out tender and perfectly cooked. 

- Cook brown rice and lentils together, two parts rice to one part lentils. Add about ½ cup extra water.

- Cook quinoa in your rice cooker with large chunks of sweet potato or winter squash. 

Vicki Chelf, Pulp Kitchen

Social network marketing is it worth the money? Marketing online can bring value to any marketing campaign. One reason is you’d be able to target your customers pretty precisely right down to demographic, geo target, interests or religion. Simply by setting up an account on any one of the social network platforms and using that social network to publish your photos, comments or your family gatherings. Over time, you gather enough content to make you a viable marketing opportunity for a potential business or individual thinking of marketing a product or service through any one of the online platforms.

Most of us do this without even noticing or batting an eye. Have you picked up your phone simply see what your friends are doing online, to see what events are happening this weekend? Have you clicked on links of interest? All of these things add to your value as a potential advertisement consumer. Have you ever re-posted an item you found on a friends newsfeed? Do you play games that are in theory free on Facebook? All of these things come at a price. By clicking on the links and then accepting the terms you have now shared your contact list, usage patterns, likes and dislikes. All of these things are used not to pinpoint you per se but you as a demographic, which lets advertisers more precisely target you in their advertisement messaging creative and how they deliver the message to you.

This is all called Microdata, a larger subject that I’m going to discuss in more detail in a later blog post. Suffice it to say that Microdata is all of the little things you’re doing while you’re online browsing the Internet. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a social network platform or not; we’re simply using one of the major search engines to try to find something you’re looking for. Microdata is how advertisers and marketers get a rich understanding of you as a consumer demographic. Be aware that this Microdata is being gathered anytime you’re online using your computer or mobile device to access or seek out information online.

The point I’m trying to make is nothing on the internet is free and nothing is by accident. The effort here is to make your experience online and enjoyable one at the same time creating a system or a mechanism in which messaging can be delivered and received in a favorable way.

Pedro Pérez is a founding partner of Nuevo Advertising Group and an adjunct professor of Global Brand Strategies at Ringling College of Art and Design. For over 17 years Pedro has offered clients his knowledge and expertise. Pedro has always demonstrated a keen analytical sense combined with a good dose of common sense in crafting digital and online marketing strategies as part of an integrated marketing plan. 

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority announced the installation of four electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. The level-2 charging stations located in the short term packing lot will allow travelers with electric vehicles to easily recharge their cars. The EV charging stations are complimentary for SRQ customers and were installed with intent to raise awareness and promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles. 

SRQ International Airport

Marc D. Duff was recently hired for the design firm DWY Landscape Architects as a landscape associate. A recent graduate of Purdue University, Duff will assist the firm’s project managers with permit packages, drafting for construction documents, renderings and 3D models. 

DWY Landscape Architects