Pitney Bowes Inc. (PBI:NYSE)

But instead of a new business or a promising startup moving to Harriman, it turned out to be a new $40 million laboratory for the state Department of Agriculture and Markets that will house 49 workers already employed by the state. That's nothing to sniff at. But once more, it was state government leading the way on development in the region.

YAKIMA -- The public is invited to send holiday cards to military service members and their families and veterans who are not able to be home for the holidays. The Yakima Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes are handling the "Touch of Home" campaign.

AMERICUS -- Sumter B.O.C seek end to communication problems. ROBERT GRIFFIN. robert.griffin@gaflnews.com. americustimesrecorder.com. AMERICUS -- The Sumter County Board of Commissioners discussed at length the purchasing of new equipment to improve communications inside the sheriff's office, the Correctional Institute and the new Sumter County Fire Department.

STAMFORD -- Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Wednesday that Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. will relocate its global corporate headquarters to Stamford, bringing millions of dollars in investments and 800 jobs to the state.

More than 36 months of perseverance and negotiations have paid dividends with the announcement that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is moving its headquarters and 800 jobs from White Plains, N.Y., to Stamford and the nascent Harbor Point development, giving it the prized tenant that is expected to lead to an influx of other coveted corporate offices.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world's biggest hotel operators, will move its global headquarters and about 800 jobs to Stamford in early 2012, the company confirmed Wednesday.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world's largest hotel operators, will move its global headquarters to Stamford in early 2012, along with about 800 jobs, the company confirmed Wednesday. Now based in White Plains, N.Y., Starwood will renovate and occupy 250,000 square feet in the Harbor Point area, joining Pitney Bowes and Deloitte & Touche.

SEBRING -- The American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region along with Pitney Bowes will host a card-signing event for its Holiday Mail for Heroes program. The event is part of a nationwide program, which delivered 1.4 million holiday greetings last year to Americans serving in the military.

The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc. are teaming up to deliver holiday cards to servicemembers, their families and veterans, many of whom will be far from home this holiday season. Through Dec. 7, the public is invited to send a "touch of home" through holiday cards that contain messages of cheer and appreciation.

MERCER COUNTY -- American Red Cross of Trumbull and Mercer counties is collecting holiday cards to deliver to active military personnel and veterans.