M AY 1 - M AY 7, 2020 | TH R E E D O LL A R S
FLOR IDA’S NE WSPAPER FOR T HE C - SUI T E
Pandemic response | Business owners chase loans to make payroll, survive. PG.14 PASCO • H ILL SBOROUG H • PIN ELL AS • P OLK • M A N ATEE • SA R ASOTA • C H A R LOT TE • LEE • COLLIER
KettleShotgun Mettle RIDER Behind heightened levels of grit and resolve, manufacturers drive new levels of output to meet demand. MADE ON THE GULF COAST: PAGES 8-11
Frank Mello | PRODUCTION FOREMAN, CRUISE CAR COURTESY
DATA SNAPSHOT
MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
Big Fall
Sanitary Solution
Sword and Shield
Tampa’s long reliance on tourism and hospitality, usually a positive, cuts deep during the pandemic. PAGE 6
The hand sanitizer shift continues at Big Storm Brewing, which recently invested $100,000 into the effort. PAGE 10
REAL ESTATE
Armed with 3D printers, volunteers quickly build a pandemic-focused manufacturing operation. PAGE 11
MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
The Right Touch
Bull Rush
Leave a Light On
Pasco County medical products firm increases its workload weeks after moving into a new facility. PAGE 8
The battered hotel industry looks for creative solutions to t he sudden dearth of customers. PAGE 16
Soft drink bottler leases Tampa warehouse. 17 With new partner and name, firm remains focused on Florida. 18
PAGE
3 Florida’s debate to reopen: Let businesses figure it out. Receive the top Business Observer news of the day in your inbox.
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DON’T MISS
USF engineering students are getting a coronavirus-led course in being nimble to meet market needs. PAGE 10
Resort owner seeks sixmonth waiver on pending projects. 16