Business briefs: Luxury home sales doing well; job fair Wednesday at MTC
MANATEE -- Even as one of the most active years for luxury residential real estate draws to a close, million-dollar homes in Manatee County are still selling at a quick clip.
During mid-November, five residential properties priced at more than $1 million sold in the county. Notable among them was one purchased by a Maryland neuropathologist and newspaper columnist and another by a local medical doctor.
The priciest transaction during the one-week mid-month stretch came when Mark and Susan Butt of Frederick, Md., purchased a one-third acre, Manatee River front property at 616 Regatta Way in The Inlets in Bradenton. According to county land records, the Butts paid $1.48 million on Nov. 19 to the seller, homebuilder Medallion Home of Bradenton. The couple owns Tox Path Specialists, a company specializing in neuropathology evaluations. Mark Butt also authors a humorous column for the Frederick News-Post. He and his wife took out a $1.18 million mortgage to purchase their new property.
Just downriver in Palmetto, another waterfront home sold the day before for $1.45 million. John and Linda Bessey of Kamas, Utah, purchased a 7-year-old, 4,700-square-foot home in the Riviera Dunes neighborhood at 106 12th Ave. E. for $1.45 million. The couple took out a $745,000 mortgage on the property.
The third-biggest sale of the week came on Nov. 20, when Dr. Barbara Bakas purchased at 6946 Westchester Circle in Lakewood Ranch. A physician with Suncoast Family Wellness in University Park, Bakas paid $1.25 million for the 5,154-square-foot home, according to records. She took out a $960,000 mortgage for the purchase.
Sales of homes costing more than $1 million in Manatee and Sarasota counties have already surpassed last year's total of 483, hitting 516 as of the start of December.
More charging stations for Tampa International
TAMPA -- Help is on the way for Tampa International Airport passengers whose cellphone batteries need charging.
Next year the airport will be adding hundreds of new charging stations with thousands of electrical outlets and USB ports, part of a $1 billion master plan underway at the airport.
The airport will add towers of charging outlets between seats in passenger areas, making them easily accessible for everyone. When the project is finished, there will be 4,683 outlets and USB ports. There are currently 237 work stations and outlets scattered throughout the airport.
The airport also plans to add more seating, children's play areas with computerized games and green space.
Suncoast Technology Forum plans holiday party
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Members and guests of the Suncoast Technology Forum will celebrate the holiday season from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday with a casual networking party at Polo Grill and Bar, 10670 Boardwalk Loop. Registration is free for members,
$10 for non-members, and includes two drink tickets with complimentary appetizers. For information, go to suncoasttechnologyforum.com.
CareerSource Suncoast hosts job fair at MTC
MANATEE -- CareerSource Suncoast and Manatee Technical College will host a career expo, job fair and open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
More than 50 local businesses and educators will be available to speak about future paths for students. MTC is also offering tours of its facility, 6305 State Road 70 E. The 50 businesses and educators include A Life at Home Health Care, City of Sarasota, Feld Entertainment, Goodwill, Inside/Out, Manatee County Government, New England Machinery, Pierce Manufacturing, State College of Florida, SouthTech, Teakdecking Systems, TriNet, U.S. Army and Westminster Towers & Shores.
The event is open to the public and positions available range from entry-level to experienced.
-- Herald staff and wire reports
This story was originally published December 7, 2015 at 8:18 PM with the headline "Business briefs: Luxury home sales doing well; job fair Wednesday at MTC ."