Thank you to the FEDC Board for all of your hard work! Our future board meetings will continue to focus on strategic planning and implementation. During our Board meeting, we also discussed the 2011 Legislative Session. Bill Lambert, Amy Evancho and several others are putting together a great team for Economic Development Week in Tallahassee starting March 28th, 2011. Please mark your calendars and plan to come to Tallahassee! On the immediate horizon is the launch of the new FEDC website … [Read more...]
SRA International Opens Office in Tampa
SRA International, a government contractor focused on national security, officially opened a new regional office in Tampa on Tuesday with the pledge to create 60 to 80 high-paying jobs over the next year. Economic development leaders called the project an example of the critical role played by MacDill Air Force base in attracting high-level security, IT and government contractor jobs to Tampa. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at the company's new office at MetWest International on … [Read more...]
AAR to Relocate Airlift Group to Melbourne, Florida
AAR announced today that it has selected Melbourne, Fla. as the new location for its airlift services and specialized aircraft modifications businesses, which the Company acquired in April 2010. Since completing the acquisition, AAR has installed a new leadership team and is rebranding the businesses as part of its overall integration strategy. "When we acquired Aviation Worldwide Services and its subsidiaries earlier this year, we shared our plans to relocate the operations, transform the … [Read more...]
Moving Wall Comes to Sebring
The Moving Wall - a traveling half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial - is stopping in Sebring in November. That's if John E. Vawter Sr., commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4300, can raise the remaining $4,600 to bring the wall here. His mission to raise $10,000 to bring the Moving Wall to Sebring began last October. So far the organization has received $5,400 in donations from organizations like the Veterans Council of Highlands County. With less than … [Read more...]
Vacuum Technology Company Hiring 10 in Tampa
A New Hampshire vacuum technology company expects to hire 10 people as it expands to Tampa. Innovative Vacuum Solutions is a Pelham, N.H.-based company that repairs and remanufacturers vacuum pumps used in industry. It is keeping its headquarters in New Hampshire, but expects to move into a new office in the New Tampa Commerce Center on Dec. 1st, 2010 The company will begin interviewing potential new employees in January. Innovative Vacuum Solutions expects to hire five technicians, two … [Read more...]
Northwest Florida Defense Contractor Ramps Up Production and Consolidates Operations
DRS Defense Solutions recently consolidated its Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations from Texas to its Fort Walton Beach facility. After acquiring a new building in 2009 to expand its electronics manufacturing, airborne test and training, weapon system launch components, air cargo and delivery systems production, the company is continuing to add roughly 150 new jobs through 2011 to the previous number of 865 full-time employees. DRS Defense Solutions, partnering with The Okaloosa County … [Read more...]
Governor-Elect Rick Scott Announces First Members of Transition Team
Governor-Elect Rick Scott, joined by Lt. Governor-Elect Jennifer Carroll, today unveiled nine members of his Transition Advisory Committee that will help guide the Scott Administration through the next nine weeks leading to Inauguration Day. In addition to the Transition Advisory Committee, Governor-elect Scott named Enu Mainigi Chair of the Transition Team, and named Mary Anne Carter Executive Director of the Transition Team. Transition Advisory Committee Members Toni Jennings U.S. … [Read more...]
Soaring in America’s Seaplane City
Seaplanes are everywhere in Tavares. They're painted on the sides of buildings, shaped into mailboxes, even embedded in the city's logo. Most important, they're taking off and landing at the city's $8.4-million seaplane base and marina that opened in April. Two years ago, Tavares declared itself "America's Seaplane City," a title it trademarked as part of an aggressive economic development effort. Since then, the Lake County city of 13,000 has been attracting attention from seaplane … [Read more...]
Florida Invests $2 Million To Expand Business Economic Gardening Institute
During the 2010-11 fiscal year, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute (FEGI) will utilize up to $2 million to provide economic gardening technical assistance and other programs to participating small businesses in Florida. “Small businesses are vital to Florida’s economic recovery, and we are wise to ensure they have access to the resources and assistance they need to grow and reach their full potential,” said Governor Crist. “Entrepreneurs have created new jobs, and Florida’s economy is … [Read more...]
Deborah Wilkinson’s October Message
November 2nd is right around the corner and we need to rally and continue to promote Vote No on 4. If Amendment 4 passes Florida could potentially lose as many as 267,000 jobs and devastate our already fragile economy. We take for granted in our industry that the general population understands the significance of this Amendment. The fact of the matter is, though, that many Floridians will vote based solely on the TV add or billboard that strikes them as most interesting. Please continue to … [Read more...]
