Tallahassee Democrat Business News

At long last, at least for me personally, the great energy debate has finally been reduced to something I can understand — dollars and cents.

Capital Regional Medical Center hosted a demonstration today of the auto industry's first production-ready rear inflatable seat belts.

Capital Regional Medical Center is hosting a display and demonstration Friday morning of the 2011 Ford Explorer, which is equipped with inflatable safety belts for passengers seated in the rear.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Three major grocery chains will promote Florida seafood beginning this month in an advertising partnership with the state of Florida.

Businesses and other Florida taxpayers can pay overdue sales, corporate income and other taxes with no penalty and reduced interest through Sept. 30.

Natural and organic foods retailer Earth Fare has leased the former Circuit City building on Apalachee Parkway and will open a market and cafe there in December, the company CEO said Wednesday.

The July 15 meeting of the Tallahassee Chapter of Certified Fraud Examiners will feature a presentation entitled "The ABCs of Modern Day Skimming" by Adam Miller of the Tallahassee Police Department Financial Crimes Unit.

LOCAL BUSINESS

Three local startup companies received Technology Commercialization Grants on Tuesday in the annual search for ventures working to bring new ideas to the marketplace.

Delegates of the inaugural Clean Energy Congress that ended Tuesday left Tallahassee energized that their ideas will resonate with their fellow Floridians and gain the legislative support to expand use of renewable power sources in the state.

Three local startup companies received Technology Commercialization Grants this morning in the annual search for ventures working to bring new ideas to the marketplace.

The Knight Creative Communities Institute is looking for 30 new volunteers to serve as catalysts in a program that works to build and diversify Tallahassee's economy. The volunteers work with local leaders and community advocates to develop various local projects.

Changing economics in the coming decade will make renewable energy options more feasible financially, but the time to make investments in those alternatives is now, Clean Energy Congress delegates learned Monday.

Cousins John and Jerry Wise and family celebrated their real estate company's five decades in the business this week.

Shelton Stone, president of Energy Farm Inc., will officially announce plans for a new solar-power facility in Walton County during the Clean Energy Congress that starts Monday at the Capitol.

A 74-megawatt solar power project planned for a site in Walton County will utilize the latest thin-film technology for solar panels, an advancement that also makes the plant more financially viable, the developer says.

LOCAL BUSINESS

We're helping a young entrepreneur who started a business four years ago with $10,000. Through hard work and smart decisions, she has grown the business to $8 million.

Stockholders of Dallas-based Blockbuster Inc. have their annual meeting today and will be looking for a glimmer of hope in that company's effort to make its 125,000 movie and game titles available by mail order, online or at vending kiosks.