By Laureen Young
Charging into the Neighborhood
Tesla Inc. is expanding its footprint with a new service and sales facility in Gainesville, projected to open in 2025. The new facility will be located at 2501 N. Main St. where Toyland Used Cars currently resides.
According to a recent media release, the electric vehicle manufacturer announced it will open a facility that will feature 15 service bays, a state-of-the-art retail showroom, 10 wall-charger spaces and two Supercharger spaces, exclusively for Tesla vehicles.
The facility is expected to generate local employment opportunities and contribute to the economic growth of the area.
Sparkling Success
The Alachua Chamber of Commerce‘s annual gala at Legacy Park welcomed nearly 550 attendees, marking the transition from Mitch Glaeser’s presidency to Adam Boukari’s leadership.
The event showcased local business awards, a comedy routine by Brad Williams and a successful auction, which brought in $5,500 for a football signed by 13 Heisman winners, including Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow.
Glaeser highlighted Alachua’s remarkable growth in commercial space development, attributed to factors like low utility rates and superior internet connectivity. Emphasizing collaboration among community partners, Glaeser presented the vision of making Alachua the premier small town in America through the chamber’s Alachua 2.0 plan. Additionally, the chamber honored outstanding individuals and businesses with awards, recognizing their contributions to the community.
SUMthing to be Proud Of
This year, eight undergraduate teams from the University of Florida, guided by faculty and graduate student mentors, participated in the annual SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equation (SCUDEM). In SCUDEM, teams choose from three questions, developing models to address them, and creating explanatory videos for judging. This year’s questions covered topics like kangaroo infant mortality, child discipline and dog treat catching. The competition aims to showcase the application of mathematics to real-world problems. Among the UF teams, four received the highest accolade, Outstanding designations, reflecting their exemplary performance.
Building Dreams
Gainesville-based construction firm Scorpio has appointed five new partners and expanded to Jacksonville and Orlando. The move is part of a strategic five-year plan to extend their community-focused construction ethos beyond Gainesville.
The new partners, all current team leaders, include Don Kellogg, Erik Anderson, Aaron Rogers, Jessica MacLaren and Chris Gregory. President and CEO Domenic Scorpio emphasizes the company’s commitment to uplifting communities through quality construction and investing in staff growth. With new offices led by Ryan Taylor and Mike Bruno, Scorpio aims to spread its holistic approach statewide, fostering growth and enriching communities.
Presidential Smarty-Pants
Eight students from Alachua County Public Schools have been named candidates for the United States Presidential Scholars Program. These students have been selected based on their exceptional performance in the SAT or ACT college entrance exams. As candidates, they are now eligible to become one of approximately 650 Presidential Scholar semifinalists for 2024. Semifinalists are expected to be announced in early April.
Alachua County Public Schools has a strong track record of producing semifinalists and Presidential Scholars, reflecting the district’s tradition of academic excellence. Superintendent Shane Andrew expressed immense pride in the students’ achievements, recognizing both their individual dedication and the district’s academic tradition.
