SARASOTA -- Octex, a molding injection manufacturer in Sarasota, promises to add 80 jobs in the next five years through a planned expansion that includes nearly doubling its space.
The 21-year-old company decided to expand in Sarasota because of the area’s strong workforce, and because of growth in Florida’s medical manufacturing industry, according to Chief Executive Officer James Westman. The company also received a $200,000 performance-based incentives grant from the Sarasota County Commission. Octex manufactures custom plastics for not only the medical industry, but also the industrial and aerospace industries and consumer products. It already has 61 employees and occupies 33,000 square feet; its expansion will add 26,000 square feet, and the promised new positions will be in both administration and manufacturing. “Octex is a great example of how a local company can thrive by finding a market niche and expanding with the right support from Sarasota County,” said Nora Patterson, Sarasota County Commission chair.
Leadership Manatee hosts seminar Friday
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Together with the State College of Florida, the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association is hosting a leadership seminar from 7:30 a.m. to noon Friday featuring NBA referee Bob Delaney and retired Col. Danny McKnight. The seminar will be held at the State College of Florida, 7131 Professional Parkway E., Lakewood Ranch. Cost is $50 and includes breakfast. To register, visit www.leadershipmanateealumni.org.
The Eye Associates to offer free eye screenings
SARASOTA -- The Eye Associates is offering free eye screenings at its mobile unit Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Alderman Oaks Retirement Residence, 727 Hudson Ave., Sarasota. There will be glaucoma screening, distance vision screening.
No dilation is required. To register for the screening, call (941) 955-9099 or go online to www.aldermanoaks.com.
Fears about debt send gold price to record
NEW YORK -- Gold’s reputation as a safe place for your money sent it above $1,600 for the first time.
Investors are worried about debt problems on both sides of the Atlantic. So they bid gold up $12.30 an ounce Monday to settle at $1,602.40.
That’s a record for the market price of gold, but below its 1980 peak after adjusting for inflation.
An ounce of gold at that time cost $850, or about $2,400 in today’s dollars.
Gold is looking better by the day to some investors because debt problems in the U.S. and Europe are making two other so-called safe havens, the dollar and the euro, seem shaky.
The United States could default on its debt on Aug. 2 if Congress and the White House don’t agree to raise the country’s borrowing limit.
-- Staff and wire reports
