Take a look at Phase 1:

The new Jobs Though Connections initiative encourages local officials to promote transit stop connections and adjacent development along the first 31-mile phase of the $1.3 billion SunRail route. Business plans are under way for nearly $1 billion worth of related construction projects slated to begin later this month, a release said. Mica’s initiative seeks to make sure SunRail and related development is aligned with the region’s planning efforts.

Orlando Business Journal

“We’re very excited to be opening this store in New Smyrna Beach. We’re expecting the new location to get a lot of traffic and improve service to existing customers in the area,” said President Josh Hudson. “We track many of our deliveries to New Smyrna Beach and believe that this area can support a new store with little risk.”

The Hudson family has owned and operated 13 stores ranging from Sarasota to Ormond Beach for the past 30 years, this past year marking their 30^th Anniversary. By opening this new store, the Hudson’s expect to hire more than 40 employees and create a boost in the economy.

Currently the city of New Smyrna Beach has an unemployment rate of 11 percent, which is higher than the national average of 9 percent. “Everyone is feeling the effects of today’s economy,” said Fred Hudson, CEO. “We hope that our store will have a positive impact on the area by generating new jobs and increasing the flow of customers to New Smyrna and it’s many local businesses.”

Neighbors in the S.R. 44 area include a new Walmart along with a planned new Cracker Barrel and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits.

Hudson’s Furniture is the premier furniture retailer serving the Tampa, St Petersburg, Orlando, and Ormond Beach area. A total of 14 store locations are conveniently located to serve customers in the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated since 1981, Hudson’s Furniture carries brands such as Broyhill, Lane, Lexington, Simmons, Tommy Bahama and Paula Deen. For more information, visit http://hudsonsfurniture.com/current/stores/Florida_Furniture_Stores.aspx

The Florida Rail Museum in Parrish noticed, and now is considering moving the train to its site near Bradenton. The museum has train engine and car displays and runs a 13-mile train trip from its site Saturdays and Sundays. It also operates the North Pole Express during 12 days in December.

A train mover representing the museum met with the city and plans to submit a proposal to move the train to the Florida Rail Museum, said Gene Hughey, past president of the museum.

The engine and tender — that section of the train where fuel for the engine was stored — would be renovated as a display for the museum.

Of the three rail cars, one could easily be renovated by museum volunteers, Hughey said. The other two, including the one with a glass dome, have structural problems and may not be restorable.

The city needs to move the engine and cars to make way for a SunRail station being built near Church Street. The city doesn’t own the train, but agreed to dispose of it for the state Department of Transportation. The DOT inherited the train when it paid $618,900 to TSLF Church Street Development LLC and TSLF Church Street Depot LLC for property that will become the station.

On Nov. 3, DOT paid CSX $150 million for tracks to operate SunRail.The city has budgeted $300,000 to move the train and may pay to have it moved to a site where it would be preserved.

“As part of the proposals we are asking for them to move it, but we will evaluate the proposals that are presented to us,” city spokeswoman Heather Fagan said in an email to OBJ.

The train has been sitting on the tracks near Church Street since Bob Snow opened an entertainment complex known as Church Street Station. Snow brought the train to Orlando from Pensacola and used it as a casting office.

The train has fallen into disrepair with changes in ownership of the complex, which struggled to keep up with night-time entertainment complexes opened at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando.

On November 26, American Express is asking millions of people to shop small at their favorite local stores and help fuel the economy. “When we all shop small, it will be huge.”

Interested?

Find out more here http://www.smallbusinesssaturday.com/

and ‘like’ their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 17, 2011 – Within the past month, Powerhouse USA, a marketing and advertising agency located in downtown Orlando, has promoted two of its employees – Amanda Gaid has been elevated to Creative Services Manager, and Haley Lindback is now the agency’s Business Development Specialist. Gaid has been with the company since May 2009, while Lindback joined the Powerhouse USA team in April 2010.

While in her previous position as Creative Services Specialist, Gaid was responsible for creating graphics and generating online content for client campaigns. As Creative Services Manager, Gaid will be overseeing all graphic and content elements of print and online client campaign execution.

“My past few years with the Powerhouse USA team have been great and I’m looking forward to my new responsibilities and opportunities,” says Gaid. “I’ve got some great ideas to bring to the table.”

Lindback moves from Online Marketing Coordinator to Business Development Specialist and is currently training to better prepare for her new responsibilities, which will require increased client contact. Previously, Lindback managed client web presence, online campaigns, and implemented new technologies on behalf of both the agency and clients. In her new role, Lindback will be conducting consumer and market research while developing relations with new and existing clientele.

Powerhouse USA is a full-service advertising, marketing and promotions agency dedicated to helping businesses flourish in today’s competitive environment. Located in Orlando, Florida, the Powerhouse USA team specializes in all forms of advertising and marketing, including traditional advertising media and online marketing. For more information, visit http://powerhouseus.com/.

See Amanda and Haley in the Orlando Business Journal.

The grants, which were a portion of the $928.5 million in federal funds for more than 300 public transportation projects nationwide, involve replacing or refurbishing aging buses, building or improving bus terminals, garages, and other transit facilities, installing bus-related equipment, and conducting studies to help communities select the best transit options to meet future transportation needs.

Lynx received a $2 million grant to build a Kissimmee Intermodal Transfer Center in historic downtown Kissimmee. The transportation hub would feature eight bus bays and 16 passenger waiting shelters, along with sidewalks, information kiosks, landscaping, lighting, passenger seating, closed-circuit TV security and bike racks.

Additionally, Lynx was awarded a $1.2 million grant to study alternatives along the 21.5-mile east-west segment of SR 50 between the University of Central Florida’s main campus on Alafaya Trail and West Oaks Mall in Orange County. The corridor is served by 20 Lynx routes, passing through downtown Orlando and connecting with two planned SunRail commuter rail stations south of SR 50. It’s expected to support economic redevelopment, improve mobility for residents and businesses and provide connections to regional transportation systems. This study was done in response to population and employment growth and changes in travel demand and traffic patterns.

Article courtesy of: Orlando Business Journal

“We see the role massage therapy can play in pain management and symptom relief in our clinics on a regular basis,” said Adam Toporek, Regional Developer for Massage Envy in Central Florida. “We understand how important the work of the Arthritis Foundation is in helping people face the challenges of arthritis.”

Massage Envy will donate $10 to the Arthritis Foundation from every one-hour massage and facial session all day (8 a.m.- 10 p.m.) on Oct. 12. In addition, Murad—Massage Envy’s exclusive skincare partner—will donate 10 percent of all sales of products sold at Massage Envy on the day.

Community Development Specialist for the Arthritis Foundation’s Florida Chapter, Mariel Armitage, said, “This event is such a great way to give back and at the same time create public awareness for this disease that affects millions of people.”

Those who wish to participate are being encouraged visit Massage Envy’s website to book an appointment as well as Arthritis.org to learn more about the Arthritis Foundation and how their partnership with Massage Envy will benefit those suffering from this disease.

For more information, visit http://www.massageenvy.com/healing-hands-for-arthritis.aspx or their Facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=149756195114167

The Orlando Magic want to build a $100 million headquarters, sports and entertainment complex across the street from the $380 million Amway Center, which opened last October.

The team’s headquarters now is in the RDV Sportplex in Maitland.

The complex would be on the 100 block of South Hughey Avenue bordered by Hughey Avenue to the east, Church Street to the south, Division Avenue to the west and Central Boulevard to the north.

Existing structures on the property — excluding the Orlando Police Department — likely will be demolished for the project.

The city of Orlando owns the 4.3-acre property the Orlando Magic are envisioning for the project. City officials said the property would be sold to the Magic, but it’s too early to determine the value of the sale.

The project, which does not have a name yet, would be completely funded by the Orlando Magic and is expected to house dining, hotel and entertainment/nightlife options for residents and visitors coming to downtown Orlando.

The timetable for the project has yet to be determined, but is expected to create as many as 300 permanent jobs related to the retail, entertainment and other businesses that would locate there.

The project is “another huge piece in making the best downtown in all of America,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

The project still is being pitched to the City Council, and will undergo a feasibility study to determine several factors, including making sure financing is in place, providing leasing opportunities for existing tenants on the property and ensuring the existing property is appraised and sold at a fair market value.

In addition, Dyer said the businesses now on the property would not be harmed by the construction of the complex because new retail space would be developed first while tenants remain in their current space, then move to the new space once it is complete.

Dyer said the property could be similar to the $2.5 billion L.A. Live entertainment complex across from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, home to the NBA’s L.A. Lakers. “Other NBA cities with arenas have something similar to L.A. Live, but that’s a larger development, whereas this would be to scale for Orlando.”

Orlando Business Journal

Read the full article here

http://www.sunrail.com/jobsschedule.asp

Rumored to open toward the end of October 2011 is none other than one of the largest theme parks already in California, Denmark, U.K., and Germany… and soon, Florida! Legoland construction is underway and soon to be revealed a mere 50 minutes from Orlando, in Cypress Gardens. After the success of Legoland, California which opened in 1999, it was voted the country’s best children’s theme park by “Amusement Today” for the sixth year running recently. It is also recognized as the fastest growing theme park in the U.S., enjoying an increase in visitor numbers year-on-year, including six percent in 2009.

Legoland Florida will be the largest location yet, spanning over 145 acres of water parks, roller coasters, shows and interactive attractions. This park is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs into the economy as well as giving the economy a boost with the use of local contractors for development.