CareerSource Central Florida has joined the statewide Drive to 1,000 campaign that seeks to put 1,000 students in advanced manufacturing jobs by April 1, 2016. The Florida TRADE Consortium, a coalition of 13 state and community colleges across Florida, launched the campaign to develop and deliver accelerated technical training programs that allow students to earn industry certifications and acquire technical skills that lead to jobs in advanced manufacturing, said Gary Graham, director. The … [Read more...]
Renewing Enterprise Zones “Top Priority” For Miami-Dade County Commission
A state program that local leaders say has created thousands of jobs in economically distressed areas of Miami-Dade County is in danger of not being renewed next year. The program — which is scheduled to sunset at the end of the year — gives tax incentives to businesses that create jobs in designated “enterprise zones,” areas with high rates of unemployment, poverty and crime. In the last fiscal year, the state distributed $15.8 million in incentives to 65 enterprise zones across Florida and … [Read more...]
Final Bid Submitted For Osceola Tech Center Defense Contract
The University of Central Florida and its partners have submitted their final proposal in their effort to win a $110 million Department of Defense contract for the new Osceola tech center. The Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center is one of several finalists for the Integrated Photonics Manufacturing Institute, including New York and California. M.J. Soileau, vice president for research and commercialization at UCF, which will operate the center, did not want to reveal details of the … [Read more...]
Manufacturing on the Rise in Florida
When one thinks of business in Florida, most think of tourism—amusement parks, fishing, golf, and beaches—or Florida’s world-famous citrus agriculture—oranges, grapefruits, and strawberries. Perhaps Florida’s best kept secret: Florida’s manufacturing sector is surging forward. In recent years, Floridians have become accustomed to Governor Rick Scott announcing manufacturing jobs being created across the state. Just in the last few months, another 380 jobs were added to manufacture luxury boats … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa Industrial Park Brings Business, New Jobs
With several companies already settling in at the Santa Rosa Industrial Park in East Milton and another three expected in the coming months, the county-owned complex is slated to be near capacity for the first time ever by the end of this year. Those new tenants are expected to generate more than 100 new jobs during the next five years. The new developments, combined with companies planning to either relocate or expand to the county's main industrial park, will leave about 30 to 40 acres of … [Read more...]
University of South Florida Partnership To Use $1 Million To Keep Tampa Bay Wave Afloat
A major presence in Tampa Bay’s startup and technology scenes has received funding it needs to keep the Wave from crashing. The money — which includes $500,000 from the United States Commerce Department and a matching amount from unnamed private and public partners — will go to the FirstWave Venture Center in the Sykes building in downtown Tampa. The center is home to Tampa Bay Wave Inc., USF’s partner for the grant and a provider of services to help grow startup companies. The partnership, … [Read more...]
Century Partners With UWF For Economic Development
The Town of Century and the Community Economic Development Association for Escambia County are the first participants in the Northwest Florida Asset Valuation and Marketing Support Program. As participants in the University of West Florida Office of Economic Development and Engagement program, Century and CEDA will work with UWF marketing professors Stephen LeMay, Scott Keller and Felicia Morgan to develop a marketing plan that will help the Century community identify its business assets and … [Read more...]
FDOT Strategic Plan To Encourage Development
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is updating its Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) and the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) Policy Plan. For Washington County, that could mean more allure for new industry. "From a community standpoint, four-laning State Road 77 and 79 is a strategic part of the plan because what we're doing is making a connection to I-10, the port in Panama City, and the airport at Florida Beaches International," said Ian Satter, FDOT Public Information … [Read more...]
UCF To Receive $1 Million In Grants To Help Entrepreneurs
The University of Central Florida will receive more than $1 million to help local entrepreneurs from grants designed to help business professionals. The money is part of two grants — the i6 Challenge and the Regional Innovation Strategies Program — which will help entrepreneurs grow start-up businesses. UCF is one of two U.S. universities receiving both grants. Penny Pritzker, the United States Secretary of Commerce, made the announcement Monday afternoon. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, was also … [Read more...]
JAXUSA Partnership Praises Efforts Of Helga van Eckert
Helga van Eckert recently marked the third anniversary of her hiring as executive director of Flagler County’s Department of Economic Opportunity by treating the day like any other: focusing on efforts to recruit companies to the area. “We’ve been so busy, we didn’t have time for a celebration,” she said, referring to her three-member staff. Jerry Mallot, president of the JAXUSA Partnership, the seven-county economic development group for the Jacksonville area that includes Flagler as its … [Read more...]
