MIAMI-The ratings action could fuel further confidence in the county's economy, spurring increased investments in the local commercial real estate industry.

CORAL GABLES, FL-The parent of BankUnited FSB closes on the sale today of 5.7 million shares of new stock priced at $12 a share. The proceeds will be used for expansion and acquisition purposes.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL-A newly formed subsidiary of locally based Correctional Properties Trust is using the proceeds to finance the acquisition and refinancing of two North Carolina prisons. Palm Beach Gardens is 73 miles north of Miami.

OCHOPEE, FL-The National Park Service is about to prepare land-and-mineral management plans for 147,000 acres added in 1996 to the Big Cypress National Preserve. Ochopee is 69 miles west of Miami.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL-The California-based health services company paid locally based Intracoast Health Systems Inc. $304,619 per bed for the 801 beds in the two facilities. Tenet plans to invest another $36 million over five years in capital improvements. West Palm Beach is 67 miles north of Downtown Miami.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL-The locally based commercial developer and general contractor hires a new marketing director, human resource director and project manager.

MIAMI-The region's strong links to the Caribbean and Latin American markets are having a positive effect on the South Florida commercial real estate industry.

MIAMI-Pittway Corp. pays $950,000 for three acres in Beacon Station at Gran Park in the Medley/airport north submarket where it plans to build 50,000 sf of class A industrial.