Business Briefs

Coffee Break Meet & Greet

Lake City Downtown Action Corporation will host a Coffee Break Meet & Greet to introduce their new Downtown Redevelopment Manager, Jackie Kite on Thursday, May 29, 2008.

Brightway Insurance continues expansion

Insurance acquisition Brightway Insurance has purchased Mathis Insurance of Amelia. The acquisition tops off a year of expansion, during which Brightway Insurance added 10 new offices in seven cities throughout Florida.

Michael Tarzia will manage the new office in the first Brightway Insurance office in Nassau County. It will offer a line of products including auto, home, business and life insurance.

Brightway Insurance was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Jacksonville. The company has more than 26 offices throughout Florida and represents more than 25,000 customers and $40 million in premiums.

Welcome to FloridaWorks GreenRide!

If you live or work in Alachua or Bradford Counties, you can take advantage of this FREE web-based carpooling program. Once registered, you can see if there are others with similar commuting schedules and destinations. You choose to contact them via email and arrange to meet. Carpooling helps conserve natural resources and the environment, but it can also save you money on fuel. And you may even make some new friends!

Go to  www.floridaworksonline.com for information about local employment, job fairs, trainings, and to sign up for our weekly newsletter.

New banking option in Callahan

VyStar Credit Union plans to open a second Nassau County branch location at the southwest corner of Third Street and US 1 in Callahan. According to a press release, VyStar officials will break ground at the site by the end of this year.

The 4,500 square foot full service branch, which is scheduled to open in mid-2009, will be equipped with teller stations, member service offices and an online banking station. The new branch will also feature ATMs, drive-thru lanes and safe deposit boxes. The building will take approximately 180 days to construct.

"We are very enthusiastic about offering VyStar services to the Callahan community," said Terry West Vystar Credit Union's president and CEO. "Several of our members have resided in Callahan for some time, and they have encouraged us to open an office here."

JTA will offer a Summer Youth Pass special

Two month passes for June and July will be offered for $30 and three month passes, to include August, will be $45. Both options offer unlimited rides on any JTA bus, trolley or the Skyway. JTA is offering the passes to help teens travel around town during the summer months. The Summer Youth pass is for students 12-18 years old.

No pass will be needed to ride the weekend Beaches trolley that will begin service on June 27. The trolley will offer free rides along 3rd Street and 1st Street between Butler Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard.

Passes can be purchased online at  http://www.jtafla.com  or in person at JTA Administration Building or the Rosa L. Parks/FCCJ Transit Station. For more information call 904-630-3100.

Volunteers needed

Nease High school is looking for volunteers for "Madyson's Motorcycle Ride" June 21 to benefit Madyson Darner, a third grader at Ocean Palms Elementary School who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Volunteers are needed to help with face-painting, supervising and helping with games. To volunteer, contact Nicole Novakoski at 294-3478 or  novakosf@comcast.net.

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