Staff reports

Stearns property sells for $325k

Stearns Technical Textile Co's 1.1 million-square-foot factory and office in Lockland sold for $325,000 at auction Wednesday. Auctioneer Stuart B. Millner didn't immediately know the name of the investor who bought the complex that sprawls over 14 acres between the north and south lanes of Interstate 75. There were at least three bidders, Millner said. The factory was sold as part of a bankruptcy court-approved auction of the company's assets. Factory parts, equipment and other items also are being sold at auction, which lasts through Friday. Information: (866) 842-5280 or visit www.sbmac.com

Fifth Third extends contract with Saks

Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions, Fifth Third Bancorp's data-processing unit, has signed a three-year contract extension to handle credit-card transactions for Saks Inc., the retailer with 378 stores nationally. That deal comes two days after the Fifth Third processing unit signed a deal to handle electronic transactions for the Armed Forces Financial Network. The two deals will increase annual transactions at Fifth Third Bank Processing Solutions by 162 million.

Levee nightclub remodeling

NEWPORT - One of Newport on the Levee's largest tenants, the Empire club, has closed until summer, according to a Levee spokeswoman. Levee management said the nightclub will be remodeled to create a new look. Empire club owner Ron Malone couldn't be reached Wednesday. The 24,000-square-foot Empire club opened in 2002, and its lease doesn't expire until 2012.