Business Briefs

City of Keystone Heights seeks volunteers

The Community Redevelopment Agency is receiving applications for volunteers to work on its Advisory Board. The Board assists the Community Redevelopment Agency with the implementation of the community redevelopment projects for Keystone Heights. Applications are available at city hall and will be received until 4:30 pm, May 30, 2008 at city hall, 555 S. Lawrence Blvd, Keystone Heights, Florida. It is anticipated that volunteers will be appointed at the June 16, 2008 City Council meeting. For more information at 352-473-4807.

Wachovia separates chaiman, CEO jobs

Wachovia Corp. has separated the roles of chairman and CEO, naming company board member Lanty Smith as chairman, a role previously held by CEO Ken Thompson. Thompson will continue as president and CEO, and he also will remain a member of Wachovia's board of directors. Thompson has held both the chairman and CEO posts at the bank since 2000.

Wachovia is the second-largest bank in Northeast Florida, with $6.6 billion in local deposits and 22.6 percent market share.

SJRWMD study now online

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s two-year study into the effects of water withdrawals on the St. Johns River is now on the District’s Web site at  www.sjrwmd.com/surfacewaterwithdrawals

New bank opens

Prosperity Bank has opened its newest location at 1458 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach, in the Sadler Crossing Shopping Center.

Headquartered in St. Augustine, the bank was originally known as Prosperity Bank of St. Augustine. Currently, Prosperity is a $1.2 billion community bank with 18 banking offices and 18 ATMs located within Bay, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Gulf, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia counties. Prosperity Bank offers a complete line of banking and other related financial services to commercial and retail customers.

"Stretch Your Check" program

Winn-Dixie will roll out a "Stretch Your Check" program for shoppers receiving their rebate checks in the coming weeks. The Jacksonville-based company announced the program would feature a $5 coupon this Wednesday. Other promotions will continue each week.

Retailers have been vying for the attention of consumers receiving economic stimulus checks from the Internal Revenue Service. With food and gas prices rising, many people will use the checks to pay for those necessities. Winn-Dixie also will cash the rebate checks. The fees will vary.

Adventure Landing buys Family Fun Factory

The St. Augustine Family Fun Factory off State Road 16 will be renamed as an Adventure Landing after it got a new owner last week. Adventure Landing on Thursday announced it had purchased the park for $2 million from Logan Nye Inc.

In addition to the new name more than $250,000 is expected to be spent on renovations and improvements. Most visible will be new paint and carpeting at its indoor building and landscaping.

Vision 2032 Plan Steering Committee meetings

NASSAU COUNTY, FL - The Nassau County Vision 2032 Plan Steering Committee will hold three more public input meetings. These meetings will be group discussions. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

May 12 at Yulee Middle School, 85439 Miner Road
May 13 at First Baptist Church of Boulogne, 28226 Church Drive
May 20 at Fernandina Beach High School, 435 Citrona Drive

The Nassau County Vision 2032 Plan Steering Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 12, at Yulee Middle School before the 7 p.m. public input meeting

Fernandina Beach Winery and Gifts

FERNANDINA BEACH, FL - Fernandina Beach Winery and Gifts is now located at 206 Centre Street. Open daily at 12 p.m., patrons are invited to sample citrus, tropical and berry wines made from hand-selected fruit squeezed and fermented in St. Petersburg, Fla. For information, 904-491-3324.

First phase of parkway opens

The first part of the Nocatee Parkway officially opened last week providing Ponte Vedra and Jacksonville Beach residents with a hurricane evacuation route to U.S. for easier access to Interstate 95. The second phase of the parkway is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by 2010.

Carpools/Vanpools available

First Coast Commuter Services invites you to try carpooling to work as a way to save on gas costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Carpools are comprised of 2-4 people who take turns driving their own cars. Vanpools are comprised of 7-15 people who ride to and from work in an employer or employee-sponsored van.

Pool participants who register with First Coast Metropolitan Planning Organization are eligible for the "Emergency Ride Home" program, in which you get a free taxi ride in the event of an emergency.

For information, visit www.cooltopool.com or call 904-306-7500.

Business briefs reports what’s happening to local and area businesses. Items can include mergers, relocations, office and store openings, honor and awards, promotions, personnel changes, or business events. Send information to  news@northfloridanewsdaily.com  Photographs must be clearly labeled and must be jpg format. You can also mail information to Theus Media Group, P.O. Box 1900, Glen St. Mary, FL 32040