AUBURN HILLS, MI-A former private 102-acre landfill here will be cleaned up through a $6.9-million tax-increment financing deal to make way for a 1.2-million-sf technology, research and light industrial park.

TAVARES, FL-In a belt-tightening move, Lake County officials reject a proposed smart-growth study from the Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Tavares, the county seat (Pop. 9,700), is 35 miles northwest of Downtown Orlando.

CLERMONT, FL-Despite a no-go from the city's planning and zoning board, Greater Construction Co. of Altamonte Springs, FL has won a green light from the city council to develop 96 townhomes on a 138-acre tract that already houses commercial and other shelter projects. Clermont (Pop. 9,333) is 25 miles west of Downtown Orlando.

ATLANTA-The Tampa, FL-based manufacturer of women's casual and dress sportswear plans to make a cash tender offer of $4.75 per share for the Winder, GA firm's 2.9 million outstanding common shares. The cash-and-stock deal is valued at $20.8 million.