Two days ago, southwest Florida's News-Press ran a brief story to say that 15 leases have been signed for La Piazza, the town center of Ave Maria. Ave Maria Development's project manager said that it represented "a great start in providing necessary services to the residents of Ave Maria as well as the students and staff of the Unviersity".

But, of the 15, who is directly affiliated with some aspect of Ave Maria's own development?

1) Ave Maria University Visitor's Center - obvious
2) Pulte Homes - the contracted builder of the town's houses
3) Legatus - Tom Monaghan's organization for rich Catholic businessmen
4) Ave Maria Development, LLLP - obvious; see here
5) WilsonMiller - principal planner of Ave Maria Town master model
6) Follett Bookstore - contracted by AMU to run their required campus bookstore

After 5 years of planning, 40% of the leases are directly tied to Ave Maria itself.