published: Friday, August 28, 2009

PEP talk

Leesburg provides more help for the local economy

LEESBURG -- For years Leesburg has granted some special consideration to local businesses when the city makes small purchases. The idea for City Commissioners was to help the local economy.

Now Leesburg has improved that policy, allowing even more for area businesses.

"It has never been more important to keep Leesburg's tax dollars here in this area," said City Manager Jay Evans.

Traditionally public governments put many purchases out to bid to make sure they find a vendor that will provide the required items or services for the lowest price.

Leesburg has awarded purchases to local companies if their price was within a small percentage of the lowest non-local bidder. But last month the city increased that percentage.

For smaller city purchases under $10,000, Leesburg awards orders to local companies if they offer a price within five percent of the lowest non-local bidder. Local companies also can benefit if they are within two percent of the lowest non-local bid for city purchases within $10,000 to $25,000.

Recognizing that businesses with a local presence benefit the Leesburg area, the term 'local' has been changed to include businesses within a 20-mile radius of City Hall.

Also, for purchases over $25,000, local businesses can resubmit more competitive offers to the city if they are within 10 percent of the lowest non-local bidder. The best final offer wins.

Often, however, smaller local businesses like construction sub-contractors, plumbing and electrical services cannot handle some of the biggest city construction projects. Now they have a better opportunity to vie for some of the public money.

For construction services over $25,000, any bidding company -- even those outside of the area -- can be considered for Leesburg's local vendor preference if at least 51 percent of the proposed project cost goes to local sub-contractors and material suppliers.

The city program can provide significant benefit for the local economy. Other governments are looking to Leesburg's purchasing program as a model to help their own business communities. Leesburg also can benefit from its local vendor policy.

In a recent example, a local business and another company -- the lowest bidder -- were allowed to resubmit more competitive offers because of Leesburg's local vendor preference rule. The lowest bidder still won the deal, but offered a lower price that saved the city $4,200.

Last year Leesburg made about 1,200 purchases worth more than $20 million.

For more information visit www.leesburgflorida.gov or call 728-9704.

NAI Realvest negotiates new long-term lease

ORLANDO -- NAI Realvest recently negotiated a new five-year lease agreement for 2,101 square feet of office space at the Oaks Professional Center, 8575 138th Pl. in Lady Lake.

Jack W. Lynch, senior broker associate at NAI Realvest negotiated the transaction representing the landlord, 138th Place Properties, LLC of Windermere, and the new tenant, Dr. Joseph C. Hildner, M.D. P.A. and Dr. Thomas Menichino, MSHS, FACMPE, d/b/a The Family Doctors of Belleview, based in Belleview.

For more information, Jack Lynch, NAI Realvest 407 875-9989 or jlynch@realvest.com

Centex Homes extends popular bonus commission for realtors

ORLANDO -- Centex Homes has extended its popular "3&Up" bonus commission program for realtors in 31 Centex Homes communities throughout Florida, including seven communities in the Orlando area, and Sullivan Ranch in Mount Dora.

Carol-Ann Barody, Director of Operational Marketing for Centex Homes in Florida, said Centex Homes pays realtors a full three percent co-broker commission on the first sale, four percent on the second sale and the Realtor makes five percent on all sales thereafter.

"Our Realtor 3&Up commission incentive applies to all sales made from Feb. 1 through Oct. 31," Barody said.

For more information visit www.Centex.com, or email Carol-Ann.Barody@Centex.com.

NAI Realvest named exclusive broker for subdivision in Clermont

ORLANDO -- NAI Realvest has been appointed exclusive sales and marketing representative for a 26.44 acre residential development site on Old Highway 50 overlooking Mirror Lake in Clermont.

Patrick Mahoney, president of NAI Realvest, said Dale L. Donovan, principal and vice president of land services at the firm, negotiated the exclusive agreement on the property, which is listed for sale at $995,000. The property has been approved and engineered for development of 24 oversized lakefront and lake view lots for single-family homes, Donovan said. The average lot size is 85' by 145', she said.

The location is just two miles off S.R. 50 in Clermont and affords easy access to shopping, schools, new retail centers and Florida's Turnpike.

For more information call Dale L. Donovan, Principal/ Vice President Land Services, NAI Realvest, 407 949-0707, or email ddonovan@realvest.com.