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Businesses Of The Year

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2007

Updated: 12/03/2007 09:11 pm

PLANT CITY - Only one town seemed suitable for Jason Jones to set up his restoration and cleaning business: his hometown.

He opened Advantage Restoration Inc. three years ago, and now that his business has blossomed, Jones said he will remain firmly rooted in Plant City.

"Without the community, we wouldn't be here," Jones said. "I wasn't sure how it would have been if we started anywhere else."

His sentiments echo the theme of last month's businesses of the year banquet: "Plant City - the Right Place, the Right Time, the Right Choice."

The event, in its 15th year, was sponsored by the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce and the Plant City Economic Development Council. It was held Nov. 8 in the Red Rose Ballroom at Red Rose Inn and Suites.

Jones and Advantage Restoration took home the growing business of the year award, for businesses in operation one to five years. Other winners were Alday-Donalson Title Agency in the small business category (one to 15 employees), Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites for midsize business (16 to 50 employees); and AmeriCare Ambulance Service for large business (51 or more employees). A special award went to a nonprofit, United Food Bank & Services of Plant City, for outstanding community service.

The other nominees were: Mango Cleaners and Minuteman Press for growing business; Allcare Rehabilitation and certified public accounting firm Sedita Kilton & Co. for small business; Hillsboro Bank and Matrix Medical for midsize business; and Culligan Water and Gerdau Ameristeel for large business.

"They were very deserving to win," chamber of commerce President Marion Smith said about the winners and nominees. "I'm sure the awards banquet committee had a hard time deciding."

The awards are presented to companies that excel in business and community service. The awards are among the most prestigious presented annually by the chamber and economic development council. Previous winners have included some of the area's best known businesses, including South Florida Baptist Hospital, Tampa Electric Co. and Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Jones said he and his six employees did not expect to win the growing business recognition.

"Definitely surprised," Jones said. "We were honored."

Advantage Restoration specializes in disaster cleanup and repairing homes damaged by fire, water or mold. Its coverage area is from Sarasota to Orlando. The company also cleans tile and carpet.

Although his business has warehouse space south of downtown on State Road 39, Jones said he would like to find a facility that combines an office and a warehouse. There are few places in town that meet the needs of Advantage Restoration, Jones said.

He may have to build a new structure, Jones said, because of one reason. "I don't want to leave Plant City."

Like Jones' business, Alday-Donalson Title Agency at 1701 S. Alexander St. has also served the Plant City community for three years. The agency has 18 offices throughout Central Florida and offers services for buying, selling or refinancing homes including escrow.

"We were excited about it," Alday-Donalson office manager Belinda Strawn said of the award. "We're very appreciative and we enjoy being in the community."

Jennifer Ferguson, the general manager of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites at 2102 N. Park Road, said she and her staff members were "astonished" at garnering the award.

"We're the newest hotel in Plant City," Ferguson said, "and our staff is grateful."

The 70-room hotel opened in 2000 and recently underwent a $500,000 renovation, Ferguson said. New carpeting was installed along with a back-up power system to keep the hotel running if blackouts or hurricanes hit the area.

"It's like a brand new hotel," Ferguson said.

The location south of Interstate 4 is perfect for a hotel, Ferguson said.

Plant City is "a nice area," she added.

It is an area that Ronnie Mason, president of AmeriCare Ambulance Service, knows well. The privately-owned emergency response company was established 10 years ago and primarily serves eastern Hillsborough County.

AmeriCare started with six ambulances and now has 28, Mason said. The company, which provides basic and advanced life support services, has 139 employees and its headquarters is in Seffner.

"We just thank all the people who let us serve them over 10 years," Mason said.

AmeriCare transports patients to South Florida Baptist Hospital, Brandon Regional Hospital, South Bay Hospital in Sun City Center and University Community Hospital in Tampa and Carrollwood.

The award reinforced AmeriCare's service to the community, Mason said.

"It's a great honor. It's something that really helped the morale of our company."

2007 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNERS

ADVANTAGE RESTORATION

Opened in 2004, owner Jason Jones said the next step for the growing business is to find a facility in Plant City with combined office and warehouse space.

Call (813) 757-0717

ALDAY-DONALSON TITLE AGENCY

The company has 18 offices in Central Florida. The Plant City office on Alexander Street opened in 2004.

Call (813) 747-0014

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTEL & SUITES

The 70-room hotel on Park Road near Interstate 4 opened in 2000 and recently underwent a $500,000 renovation.

Call (813) 719-3800

AMERICARE AMBULANCE SERVICES

The privately-owned ambulance service provides basic and advanced life support. Its headquarters are at a 5-acre complex at 11301 E. U.S. 92 in Seffner.

Call (813) 936-9189

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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