Altamonte Springs, Fla. --- Emerson International, Inc. which owns and develops office parks, luxury condominiums and golf course communities in Central Florida, recently closed on a new $20 million mortgage agreement with a U.S lender subsidiary of parent company ING based in the Netherlands.
Eric Emerson, vice president and general manager of Emerson International, said the new 20-year loan – with a 4.65 percent interest rate – enables Emerson International to retire existing mortgages on its southwest Orlando Major Plaza buildings I and II, Altamonte Lakeside Plaza Office Park, Louisiana Office Park in Winter Park and University Research Park I in southeast Orlando, totaling approximately 350,000 square feet of Class B office space.
Don Jennewein and Nathan Lynch of CBRE brokered the mortgage agreement, Emerson said.
Shutts & Bowen represented borrowers Emerson International Inc. and Emerson Investments International, Inc.
“Mortgage interest rates today are at record lows and it makes excellent sense to refinance quality real estate assets,” Emerson said.
“The savings to us is significant and represents a substantial increase in our operating income,” he said.
About Emerson International
Emerson International is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Emerson Group, the global corporation that is one of the largest privately-owned property development companies.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
TREKT Himalaya of Florida teams up with the Mountain Fund in New Mexico to offer Volunteer Medical Trek in Nepal
ST. CLOUD, Fla. --- Nepalese-American tour operator, TREKT Himalaya, LLC., with offices in Saint Cloud and Kathmandu, Nepal has teamed up with the Mountain Fund Charity (based in New Mexico and Kathmandu) to launch a series of Medical Treks aimed at doctors, nurses and medical students who would like to volunteer in Nepal.
“We wanted to focus on sustainable tourism in Nepal,” said TREKT Himalaya founder Sandra Krasa BK, “and one thing that I have noticed in my years of living there is that outside of Kathmandu there is a glaring lack of even basic medical care. When Nepali people see a tourist on the trekking path, or in their village, they will often ask you for some kind of first-aid even if you are not a medical professional. Just on the basis of being Western, they know we have some type of first-aid kit with us. I have been asked to look at cuts, burns, a broken arm and to diagnose internal pain. I have no medical background, and I tell them that, but the people are just desperate for help and empathy,” she said
In early 2012 TREKT Himalaya embarked on organizing adventures in the Himalayan region that incorporated not only classic treks, like Everest Base Camp, but also educational adventures that would help the people of Nepal as well as Western tourists who are looking for meaningful travel experiences that connect them with the local culture.
“I had been talking with Scott MacLennan from the Mountain Fund while I was in Kathmandu last year, and when we opened up the TREKT Himalaya office in Central Florida with the idea of ‘volunteerism’ as a focus, he was one of the first people I thought of,” Krasa said. “His volunteer organization is one of the most respected in Nepal.”
The Mountain Fund had worked with medical volunteer placements before, and Scott had knowledge of the rural areas that get the least attention, and that was exactly where we wanted to focus, Krasa said.
“I ran the plan for Medical Trek Nepal past my mother, Linda Krasa, who is a nurse at Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, and she said ‘sign me up!’ I hope others will be as eager to help too,” she said.
TREKT Himalaya’s Medical Trek promises a trip on the road less traveled. The October 2012 trek will focus on the Gorkha & Dhading regions of Nepal. Considered to be the heartland of the nation, medical trekkers will enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalaya, spend time in remote villages, and experience a majestic culture for removed from the modern world, Krasa said.
The medical volunteers will set up a triage tent and treatment tents mid way through the trek to treat villagers from the surrounding area. Medical tents donated by Mountain Hardware serve as a movable clinic, she explained.
Last year, a similar medical camp was able to treat over 900 Nepali villagers in three days. Medical volunteers should be prepared to get busy Some common ailments among villagers are skin problems, gastro-intestinal illness, dental problems, dysentery, eye problems, untreated wounds, ob-gyn care, and infant-child wellness needs.
TREKT Himalaya needs doctors and nurses for exams and treatment, medical assistants and students for triage and there are also opportunities for non-medical volunteers to handle administrative duties and to boost morale, according to Krasa.
“The Nepali villagers love seeing the medical teams and volunteers come away knowing they gave much needed help and had a totally unique volunteer travel experience,” she said.
Sign-up is now open and is limited to the first 12 people who qualify. Volunteer applicants are encouraged to sign-up online at trekthimalaya.com/trek-nepal/volunteer .
TREKT Himalaya is a client company with the UCF Business Incubation Program and located at the St. Cloud Incubator.
About TREKT Himalaya
TREKT Himalaya, LLC is a Nepali-American tour company specializing in adventure travel and educational tours to the Himalaya. TREKT Himalaya, along with their extreme adventure sports affiliate company, Hardcore Nepal (P.) Ltd. (hardcorenepal.com) is dedicated to sustainable tourism. They have started a training program for Dalits (untouchables) to help breakdown social stigma of caste based jobs, and have recently teamed with Italian charity “Finale for Nepal” to provide rock climbing adventures with proceeds benefiting rural Nepal schools. TREKT plans to launch a “made in Nepal” Fair Trade clothing line in 2013. Trekthimalaya.com
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
“We wanted to focus on sustainable tourism in Nepal,” said TREKT Himalaya founder Sandra Krasa BK, “and one thing that I have noticed in my years of living there is that outside of Kathmandu there is a glaring lack of even basic medical care. When Nepali people see a tourist on the trekking path, or in their village, they will often ask you for some kind of first-aid even if you are not a medical professional. Just on the basis of being Western, they know we have some type of first-aid kit with us. I have been asked to look at cuts, burns, a broken arm and to diagnose internal pain. I have no medical background, and I tell them that, but the people are just desperate for help and empathy,” she said
In early 2012 TREKT Himalaya embarked on organizing adventures in the Himalayan region that incorporated not only classic treks, like Everest Base Camp, but also educational adventures that would help the people of Nepal as well as Western tourists who are looking for meaningful travel experiences that connect them with the local culture.
“I had been talking with Scott MacLennan from the Mountain Fund while I was in Kathmandu last year, and when we opened up the TREKT Himalaya office in Central Florida with the idea of ‘volunteerism’ as a focus, he was one of the first people I thought of,” Krasa said. “His volunteer organization is one of the most respected in Nepal.”
The Mountain Fund had worked with medical volunteer placements before, and Scott had knowledge of the rural areas that get the least attention, and that was exactly where we wanted to focus, Krasa said.
“I ran the plan for Medical Trek Nepal past my mother, Linda Krasa, who is a nurse at Dr. Phillips Hospital in Orlando, and she said ‘sign me up!’ I hope others will be as eager to help too,” she said.
TREKT Himalaya’s Medical Trek promises a trip on the road less traveled. The October 2012 trek will focus on the Gorkha & Dhading regions of Nepal. Considered to be the heartland of the nation, medical trekkers will enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalaya, spend time in remote villages, and experience a majestic culture for removed from the modern world, Krasa said.
The medical volunteers will set up a triage tent and treatment tents mid way through the trek to treat villagers from the surrounding area. Medical tents donated by Mountain Hardware serve as a movable clinic, she explained.
Last year, a similar medical camp was able to treat over 900 Nepali villagers in three days. Medical volunteers should be prepared to get busy Some common ailments among villagers are skin problems, gastro-intestinal illness, dental problems, dysentery, eye problems, untreated wounds, ob-gyn care, and infant-child wellness needs.
TREKT Himalaya needs doctors and nurses for exams and treatment, medical assistants and students for triage and there are also opportunities for non-medical volunteers to handle administrative duties and to boost morale, according to Krasa.
“The Nepali villagers love seeing the medical teams and volunteers come away knowing they gave much needed help and had a totally unique volunteer travel experience,” she said.
Sign-up is now open and is limited to the first 12 people who qualify. Volunteer applicants are encouraged to sign-up online at trekthimalaya.com/trek-nepal/volunteer .
TREKT Himalaya is a client company with the UCF Business Incubation Program and located at the St. Cloud Incubator.
About TREKT Himalaya
TREKT Himalaya, LLC is a Nepali-American tour company specializing in adventure travel and educational tours to the Himalaya. TREKT Himalaya, along with their extreme adventure sports affiliate company, Hardcore Nepal (P.) Ltd. (hardcorenepal.com) is dedicated to sustainable tourism. They have started a training program for Dalits (untouchables) to help breakdown social stigma of caste based jobs, and have recently teamed with Italian charity “Finale for Nepal” to provide rock climbing adventures with proceeds benefiting rural Nepal schools. TREKT plans to launch a “made in Nepal” Fair Trade clothing line in 2013. Trekthimalaya.com
About the UCF Business Incubation Program
Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 emerging companies (including more than 134 current clients) create over $363 million in annual total economic output and more than 3,120 new jobs (taking direct and indirect and induced impact into account) with an average salary of $59,000. With ten facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Business Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development among the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, the City of Apopka, the City of Winter Springs, the City of Sanford, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee, City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. For more information about the Program and its clients and graduates, please visit www.incubator.ucf.edu and UCFBIP on Facebook, on www.facebook.com/ucf4bip.
Centex Homes Acquires Five More Homesites at Starling at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia
TAMPA, Fla. – Centex Homes has acquired five additional home sites at Starling at Fishhawk Ranch, located on FishHawk Blvd. in Lithia.
Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for the North Florida division of Centex Homes, said Centex, which is currently building on nine lots at Starling at FishHawk Ranch, is seeing an increasing demand there.
“FishHawk Ranch is one of the most desirable communities in this whole region and as Florida’s real estate market recovers, demand for new homes at FishHawk Ranch will grow faster than many other markets,” Strickler said. “We’re already seeing signs of this growth,” he added.
Strickler said these home sites offer the lowest CDD fees in Starling at FishHawk.
“The lower CDD rates represent lower overall payments,” Strickler said, “and that means more value for our homebuyers.”
Centex Homes, is building new three, four, five and six bedroom single-family homes on 60 foot home sites at Starling at FishHawk Ranch priced from $ 247,990 with three-car garages.
About Centex
Reliably built, smartly designed and affordable, Centex homes bring the pride of home ownership to value-conscious buyers in 20 states. As the leading brand for first-time and value-conscious homebuyers looking for just the right home, Centex balances affordability with unique form and function leading to better living. Buyers put themselves in a better place by choosing Centex. For more information about Centex, visit www.centex.com
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com
Sean Strickler, vice president of sales for the North Florida division of Centex Homes, said Centex, which is currently building on nine lots at Starling at FishHawk Ranch, is seeing an increasing demand there.
“FishHawk Ranch is one of the most desirable communities in this whole region and as Florida’s real estate market recovers, demand for new homes at FishHawk Ranch will grow faster than many other markets,” Strickler said. “We’re already seeing signs of this growth,” he added.
Strickler said these home sites offer the lowest CDD fees in Starling at FishHawk.
“The lower CDD rates represent lower overall payments,” Strickler said, “and that means more value for our homebuyers.”
Centex Homes, is building new three, four, five and six bedroom single-family homes on 60 foot home sites at Starling at FishHawk Ranch priced from $ 247,990 with three-car garages.
About Centex
Reliably built, smartly designed and affordable, Centex homes bring the pride of home ownership to value-conscious buyers in 20 states. As the leading brand for first-time and value-conscious homebuyers looking for just the right home, Centex balances affordability with unique form and function leading to better living. Buyers put themselves in a better place by choosing Centex. For more information about Centex, visit www.centex.com
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is one of America’s largest home building companies with operations in approximately 60 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes and Del Webb, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide home buyers with innovative solutions and new homes designed for the way people actually live today. As the most awarded home builder in customer satisfaction, PulteGroup brands have consistently ranked among top home builders in third-party customer satisfaction studies.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com
Mercantile Capital Corporation closes on 14 Commercial Loans in June to Finance Projects totaling $66 Million Plus
ORLANDO, Fla. — Mercantile Capital Corporation, which ranks as one of the nation’s leading providers of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loans to small business owners who want to acquire or develop their own facilities, closed 14 commercial property loans in June to finance projects valued at more than $66 million.
Chris Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said loan closings in June represent the nine-year-old company’s biggest month ever.
The largest single loan during the month provided refinancing for a Wyndham hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a total project cost of $13.3 million.
Since January, Mercantile Capital Corporation has closed 58 commercial loans to finance projects that total $220.7 million. That’s more than the company closed during all of 2011.
Last year Mercantile closed 57 loans to finance projects valued at more than $174 million in total project costs. Loan volume for the first six months of 2012 is up 240 percent from the same period in 2011, which was a record-breaking year for the company.
Hurn said job creation is one of the principal goals of the SBA 504 loan program. Since Mercantile Capital Corporation opened its doors in 2003, its SBA 504 loans — which are approaching the $1 billion mark — have helped create or retain 6,584 jobs.
“The SBA 504 loan program is one of the most effective economic development and job creation programs the U.S. government has to its credit,” Hurn said.
“We can help small business enterprises grow by helping them take control of their commercial real estate expenses with long-term, below-market, fixed interest rates, and longer terms than are available with ordinary commercial financing right now.” Hurn said.
Chris Hurn, chief executive officer of Mercantile Capital Corporation, said loan closings in June represent the nine-year-old company’s biggest month ever.
The largest single loan during the month provided refinancing for a Wyndham hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a total project cost of $13.3 million.
Since January, Mercantile Capital Corporation has closed 58 commercial loans to finance projects that total $220.7 million. That’s more than the company closed during all of 2011.
Last year Mercantile closed 57 loans to finance projects valued at more than $174 million in total project costs. Loan volume for the first six months of 2012 is up 240 percent from the same period in 2011, which was a record-breaking year for the company.
Hurn said job creation is one of the principal goals of the SBA 504 loan program. Since Mercantile Capital Corporation opened its doors in 2003, its SBA 504 loans — which are approaching the $1 billion mark — have helped create or retain 6,584 jobs.
“The SBA 504 loan program is one of the most effective economic development and job creation programs the U.S. government has to its credit,” Hurn said.
“We can help small business enterprises grow by helping them take control of their commercial real estate expenses with long-term, below-market, fixed interest rates, and longer terms than are available with ordinary commercial financing right now.” Hurn said.
First Green Bank to Launch Small Farmers Loan Program
MOUNT DORA, Fla. – First Green Bank, headquartered in Mount Dora, will launch a small farmers loan program before the end of this year to provide loans to small farming operations throughout Central Florida.
Kenneth LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said the loan program is approval driven.
First Green Bank was named Florida’s 2011 Green Company of the Year by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Central Florida Chapter. Its Mount Dora headquarters is the second privately constructed building in Florida to qualify for the Council’s LEED Platinum certification for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
First Green Bank also has branches in Clermont and Ormond Beach and plans to open a branch in downtown Orlando by the end of the year.
Kenneth LaRoe, chairman and chief executive officer of First Green Bank, said the loan program is approval driven.
First Green Bank was named Florida’s 2011 Green Company of the Year by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Central Florida Chapter. Its Mount Dora headquarters is the second privately constructed building in Florida to qualify for the Council’s LEED Platinum certification for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
First Green Bank also has branches in Clermont and Ormond Beach and plans to open a branch in downtown Orlando by the end of the year.
Henin Homes appoints Bion Davis sales associate at Riviera Bella in Debary
DEBARY, Fla. – Henin Homes, a luxury home builder at Riviera Bella overlooking the St. Johns River in DeBary, has named Bion Davis sales associate at Riviera Bella.
Jerome Henin, who heads Henin Homes, the home building division of the Henin Group, said Davis graduated from the University of Maine and has four years of experience in new home sales.
Riviera Bella a guard gated community offers luxury homes ranging from the 190,000s to over $2 million.
Jerome Henin, who heads Henin Homes, the home building division of the Henin Group, said Davis graduated from the University of Maine and has four years of experience in new home sales.
Riviera Bella a guard gated community offers luxury homes ranging from the 190,000s to over $2 million.
Ashton Woods Homes Acquires 100 Home Sites at Tanglewood Preserve in South Hillsborough County
TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes recently acquired 100 home sites at Tanglewood Preserve, located off Symnes Road in South Hillsborough County near Gibsonton.
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said presales of three, four and five bedroom single family homes priced from the $140s will start in July.
Roche said Ashton Woods Homes will start construction of two model homes in July as well.
New Homes at Tanglewood Preserve will range in size from 1,600 square feet of living space to 3,000 square feet.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing at Ashton Woods Homes, said presales of three, four and five bedroom single family homes priced from the $140s will start in July.
Roche said Ashton Woods Homes will start construction of two model homes in July as well.
New Homes at Tanglewood Preserve will range in size from 1,600 square feet of living space to 3,000 square feet.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
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