ORLANDO-The local firm's planned Fruit2Trade operation in January will provide software for the 98-year-old European produce operator. The deal's value was not disclosed.

ORLANDO-The local firm's planned Fruit2Trade operation in January will provide software for the 98-year-old European produce operator. The deal's value was not disclosed.

POINCIANA, FL-A 47,000-acre mixed-use, master-planned development, 30 miles south of Walt Disney World, is selling a house a day at Solivita, a 3,300-acre community being developed by Coral Gables, FL-based Avatar Holdings Inc. The 6,350-home planned project ties in with development's existing 40 operating businesses and future retail development plans.

ORLANDO-Johnny Rivers, an executive chef at Walt Disney World for 25 years before starting his own Orlando barbecue restaurant, plans to open Conch Me Crazy at the $14 million, 167-room Embassy Suites Hotel downtown in November.

ORLANDO-SkyCross Inc., a five-month-old Milcom Technologies Inc. spinoff, expects to close shortly on its first round of investment financing with a so-far unidentified venture capitalist. SkyCross makes advanced antennas for wireless communications.

ORLANDO-Walt Disney World loses argument to bar the Orlando Sentinel from contacting individual members of the six-member jury that came in with a verdict of $240 million in damages against the theme park operator on Aug. 11. Disney is appealing the verdict and seeking a new trial. The company was convicted of stealing plans from another developer to build its existing Wide World of Sports Attraction.

ORLANDO-The world's largest retailer is going Mediterranean. Two new 230,000-sf retail outlets in Central Florida will have red clay tile roofs instead of flat gravel-and-asphalt-based tops. Subdued earth tones are replacing the Bentonville, AR-based retailer's conventional blue and grey color scheme. And a 50-foot clock tower-like structure will be part of at least one new Super Center here.

ORLANDO-A heavy debt load is eating up the theme park's profits, notes the resort's parent, Seagram Co. The loss in fourth quarter 1999 was $15 million compared to a loss of $7 million in the comparable 1998 fiscal year.