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Florida: News


Cloud security firm Prolexic Technologies has raised $13.9 million in a growth financing. Founded in 2003, Prolexic was the first company to establish global scrubbing centers to stop DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attacks in the Cloud. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 2:35 PM

Both the University of Miami and the University of Florida took Top 10 spots (ranked 8th and 9th, respectively) on a recent list of America's Top 100 Social Media Colleges. (Read more)

Category:Progressive Education -- posted at: 2:32 PM

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies, headquartered in Saint Augustine, Florida with multiple factories located around the world is pleased to announce a multi-million dollar expansion that will lead to approximately 90 new jobs over the next two to three years. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 7:39 PM

Serve, whose core operations are based in downtown St. Petersburg, had its genesis in Revolution Money, a St. Petersburg startup that American Express acquired for $300 million. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 3:17 PM

Chromalloy, an international aerospace company based in Orangeburg, N.Y., announced today Palm Beach Gardens will be the new home for its corporate headquarters and Technology Center of Excellence. (Read more)

Category:Aerospace Aviation: Company News -- posted at: 2:55 PM

Titusville-based Knight's Armament was awarded an $82 million contract to make as many as 10,800 sniper night sights for the U.S. Army. (Read more)

Category:Homeland Security: Company News -- posted at: 5:56 PM

The Immokalee Regional Airport is adding new aviation tenants with the construction of a new test facility for turbo gas generators overhauled from former aircraft engines. Turbo Services chose the Immokalee location due to its reasonable cost of living and proximity to highways and the company headquarters. (Read more)

Category:Aerospace Aviation: Company News -- posted at: 3:02 PM

Saft is moving its North American headquarters to Jacksonville where the company is building a $200 million high-tech battery plant. (Read more)

Category:Clean Energy: Company News -- posted at: 4:00 PM

The Central Chapter of BioFlorida and bioOrlando are hosting a statewide life sciences/biomedical cluster update event on Thursday, March 24 at the Sonesta Hotel in Orlando, followed by a networking event and BioFlorida Open House. (Read more)

Category:Life Sciences: Industry News -- posted at: 5:14 PM

The University of Florida is hosting a Celebration of Innovation Showcase to feature start-up companies in the areas of life sciences, medical devices, and information technology that are commercializing the latest in cutting-edge technologies generated as a result UF research. (Read more)

Category:Innovation Economy -- posted at: 6:13 PM

A recent analysis showed that Orlando is the least expensive city in the U.S. for operating a corporate headquarters, followed by Oklahoma City, Jacksonville, Birmingham and San Antonio. (Read more)

Category:Business-Friendly Climate -- posted at: 6:10 PM

A new laser device created at the University of Central Florida could make high-speed computing faster and more reliable, opening the door to a new age of the Internet. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Innovation -- posted at: 3:56 PM

The state-funded Florida Economic Gardening Institute is the first organization in the United States to receive Program Certification in the National Center for Economic Gardening's top-ranking Level Three, representing the highest engagement of economic gardening principles that is attainable. (Read more)

Category:Business-Friendly Climate -- posted at: 3:52 PM

Clearwater's Bulova Technologies Ordnance Systems LLC has received a 5-year Master Blanket Purchasing Agreement award from the United States Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal. The award of this new BPA for weapons, combined with the previously announced award for ammunition, makes Bulova Technologies Group, Inc. a leading U.S. supplier of both non standard ammunition and weapons to U.S. and NATO forces. (Read more)

Category:Homeland Security: Company News -- posted at: 3:06 PM

Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC announced its entry into the Florida solar market with the acquisition and development of two distributed generation projects, as well as the development of a third greenfield utility scale project. (Read more)

Category:Clean Energy: Company News -- posted at: 1:50 PM

Two Enterprise Florida projects earn national award for community impact

Contact: Stuart Doyle

(407) 956-5689 

sdoyle@eflorida.com


Two Enterprise Florida projects earn national award for community impact

Clearwire LLC, INEOS New Planet BioEnergy to receive Trade & Industry Development’s CiCi Award
 

ORLANDO, FL (March 15, 2011) – Enterprise Florida’s entry of two economic development projects into Trade & Industry Development magazine’s 2011 CiCi Awards competition has resulted in victories for both in the Community Impact category.

The Corporate Investment and Community Impact (CiCi) recognizes business locations and investments, focusing on both the company investing in a community and the economic developers and partner organizations driving the effort.  The Community Impact category rewards initiatives with a significantly healthy effect on the quality of life, including resulting employment opportunities, for people living in the vicinity of the project’s scope.

In Project Snake Eyes, Clearwire LLC of Santa Rosa County made an $8 million investment to expand its East Milton customer care call center facility by 500 employees to support a growing customer base.  Clearwire is a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the nation’s largest 4G network.  Enterprise Florida’s partners in this project were TEAM Santa Rosa Economic Development Council and Board of County Commissioners, Santa Rosa County.

The Indian River Chamber of Commerce and Indian River Board of County Commissioners teamed with Enterprise Florida for the INEOS New Planet BioEnergy project, which represented a joint venture between the company and New Planet Energy, LLC - Florida.  INP BIO Energy invested $105 million in Indian River County to bring clean energy jobs to the state’s Treasure Coast region.  INP BioEnergy established a test and licensing facility in Indian River that will produce bio-fuel from organic waste.  This facility will create 55 jobs with annual wages averaging $45,000, and 150 construction jobs.

“These awards are a solid indicator of our success in teaming with businesses not only to spur economic growth but to enhance the standard of living in Florida,” said Enterprise Florida COO Louis Laubscher.  “We’re proud of our role in facilitating these projects and their commendable effects on Indian River and Santa Rosa counties.”

Clearwire has had a major economic impact on Santa Rosa County since arriving there in 2007.  “Clearwire is one of TEAM Santa Rosa’s economic development case studies that truly serves as a model for the successes we strive achieve for our MSA,” said Team Santa Rosa’s executive director, Cindy Anderson.  “They are one of Santa Rosa’s largest employers, and as an added bonus, their corporate citizenship is second to none."

Like Santa Rosa County’s affiliation with Clearwire, Indian River’s involvement with INP BIO Energy has been underway for several years.  “We began working with the INEOS New Planet BioEnergy team in May of 2008.  It’s exciting to see a project of this magnitude come to fruition,” said Helene Caseltine, economic development director for Indian River County Chamber of Commerce. 

Caseltine also acknowledged the value of the CiCi-winning protect to the community.  “The INEOS New Planet BioEnergy Center is a triple-win all the way around, providing jobs and economic diversification for Indian River County and Florida’s Research Coast, helping the environment by diverting waste from the landfill to create ethanol utilizing a clean safe process, and lessening our dependence on foreign oil.  It’s also using a feedstock that is not in competition with human consumption, i.e. corn,” she explained.

Furthermore, the project appears to have secured a spot for Indian River on the alternative energy map.  “Similar firms, as well as those in the support industries, are making inquiries about setting up business operations in the area.  Locally, it will benefit our tourism industry as potential users visit the demonstration site to see the process firsthand, staying in our hotels and eating in our restaurants,” said Caseltine.  “This will also be the training site for future BioEnergy Centers, as the trainees come in from all over the country for an extended period, again filling hotels and area restaurants."

The CiCi winners are featured in the March/April edition of Trade & Industry Development, a nationally distributed monthly that profiles progressive cities and regions and their attributes for site selection consultants and corporate executives.

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (www.eflorida.com) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create globally competitive businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

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Category:Press Release -- posted at: 4:00 AM

With offices throughout the U.S. and eight other nations, software company SumTotal Systems Inc. chose to move its headquarters to Gainesville and relocate other operations as it geared up for growth. The local office has grown from 40 to 130 people and plans to hire about 40 more over the next few months. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 6:35 PM

Boca Raton's OpenPeak, a company selling touchscreen devices and a cloud-based device management platform that streamlines deployment and management for service providers and enterprises, has raised an additional $15.54 million. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 6:28 PM

The University of North Florida's new Gaming and Mobile Applications concentration uses video games to teach real world computing and information technology skills. More than just play, entertainment software is being used as a gateway to impart programming knowledge and energize the millennial generation to pursue computing degrees and high-tech careers beyond gaming. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Innovation -- posted at: 6:24 PM

The Division of Continuing Education at the University of North Florida has been awarded two contracts by Workforce Florida, Inc. to launch two Employ Florida Banner Centers-the Employ Florida Banner Center for Creative Industries and the Employ Florida Banner Center for Financial and Professional Services. (Read more)

Category:Financial Professional Services -- posted at: 6:17 PM

After completing a $1.5 million renovation to its call center, Old Cell Phone Co. is in the process of hiring 200 more people. The company had about 450 employees at the start this year, meeting the first step in its goal to have at least 863 employees by 2013. (Read more)

Category:Financial Professional Services -- posted at: 5:59 PM

Men's Health has identified Orlando as the 7th most socially networked city in America. (Read more)

Category:Quality of Life -- posted at: 7:34 PM

The Kauffman Foundation has ranked Florida among the nation's Top 10 States for Entrepreneurial Activity and reports that Florida's rate of entrepreneurial activity has increased by more than that of most other states over the last decade. (Read more)

Category:Innovation Economy -- posted at: 7:32 PM

Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, has expanded its already strong presence in Florida with the opening of a 25,000-square-foot facility to provide development and integration support to the growing Healthcare Solutions business. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 7:19 PM

The Innovation Monthly is your source for the latest news and insights on Florida's Innovation Economy.       

March 2011 Highlights:

·     Bing Energy Opens World HQ in Florida

·     Pharmaceutical Manufacturer CROMA Pharmaceuticals Moves to Florida

·     Florida is Home to 2 of America's Happiest Cities to Work In

·     Free White Paper -  Robotics:  From Surgery to Scouting

Read Full Newsletter

 

Category:Innovation Newsletters -- posted at: 4:25 PM

Brazil's Boldini S.A. has agreed to build five ships in Panama City's port and is bringing at least 300 new jobs there to Eastern Shipbuilding Group. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 3:27 PM

The American Academy of Optometry, which represents more than 4,000 optometrists and vision scientists, is moving its headquarters from the Washington, D.C. area to Orlando next spring. (Read more)

Category:Life Sciences: Industry News -- posted at: 3:15 PM

Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of ambulances and emergency-rescue vehicles, headquartered in Winter Park, has purchased a competing company from South Carolina. The acquisition will result in the merger of operations at the company's Orange County facility, a move expected to result in 105 new manufacturing jobs and over $2 million new capital investmentin Central Florida. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 3:12 PM

WestPoint Home, one of the leading manufacturers of home textiles in the United States,is expanding in Northwest Florida. The decision to consolidate manufacturing, receiving and shipping in a single location has increased the company's Washington County employment from 285 to 425 in less than two years, with additional employment anticipated, further reinforcing Northwest Florida's reputation as a leading Southeastern United States manufacturing and distribution center. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 3:05 PM

Staff appointments announced in Int’l Trade division

Contact:  Stuart W. Doyle

(407) 956-5689

sdoyle@eflorida.com

Staff appointments announced in Int’l Trade division


    ORLANDO, FL (March 10, 2011) – Michael Schiffhauer has been promoted to vice president in Enterprise Florida’s International Trade & Business Development division.

    Formerly a senior director, Schiffhauer will continue overseeing European trade development and Enterprise Florida’s six in-state regional sites:  Jacksonville, Orlando, Palm Beach, Pensacola, Tampa and Tallahassee.  He also leads worldwide promotions for Florida’s life sciences and information technology industries, which includes facilitating Florida business participation in major international tradeshows such as MEDICA and Hospitalar.

    Schiffhauer joined Enterprise Florida in March 2004 following stints with the former Florida Department of Commerce and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.

    Lorrie Belovich has been appointed regional manager of international trade development and is based in Enterprise Florida’s Tampa regional office.  In this position, Belovich is a community liaison, acting as an advisor to businesses interested in global trade and serving as a public resource for export information.  Belovich’s office also recruits small and mid-size companies for participation in Enterprise Florida’s trade programs.

    Working from the Coral Gables office before this appointment, Belovich managed logistics for governor-led (Team Florida) trade missions, inbound missions and high level special events.  She joined Enterprise Florida in April 2006.


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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (
www.eflorida.com) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create globally competitive businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, Enterprise Florida works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.


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Category:Press Release -- posted at: 5:00 AM

Universal North America was awarded a training grant to assist in expanding its workforce by supporting training for new employees at the company's U.S. headquarters in Sarasota County. Universal, a multiregional insurance carrier, plans to add up to 70 jobs in the next two years. (Read more)

Category:Financial Professional Services -- posted at: 3:37 PM

FPL's Martin Next Generation Solar Energy Center is a one-of-a-kind hybrid facility that connects a field of more than 190,000 solar thermal mirrors with an existing combined-cycle natural gas power plant. Innovative technology enables the mirrors to track the sun over the course of a day to harness free fuel from the sun's rays to create electricity and directly offset the use of fossil fuels. (Read more)

Category:Clean Energy: Innovation -- posted at: 3:32 PM

Tampa's Bayshore Solutions and Orlando-based Engineering and Computer Simulations were named among the nation's best small businesses by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (Read more)

Category:Business-Friendly Climate -- posted at: 8:58 PM

Signature Brands LLC, celebrates the grand opening of their new 127,000 square-foot popcorn plant that will produce 80-100 full-time jobs and 100-125 seasonal jobs in Ocala. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 4:25 PM

As Gainesville's solar feed-in tariff program begins its third year this month, it is slated to grow in size by more than 70 percent in 2011 and, at the same time, will be opening up more to residential property owners. (Read more)

Category:Clean Energy: Innovation -- posted at: 4:14 PM

Gartner, Inc. is expanding in Fort Myers, Florida for a combined total of 400 net new jobs. Gartner currently employs 350 in Fort Myers and will be expanding into a new 120,000 sq. ft. build-to-suit facility. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Company News -- posted at: 3:51 PM

The University of Florida is hosting a Celebration of Innovation Showcase to feature start-up companies in the areas of life sciences, medical devices, and information technology that are commercializing the latest in cutting-edge technologies generated as a result UF research. (Read more)

Category:Innovation Economy -- posted at: 7:52 PM

Atlantic Technical Center has once again been notified by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. that the school's TTEN (Technician Training & Education Network) program is the best in the nation. (Read more)

Category:More Partner News -- posted at: 7:39 PM

Florida's Career and Professional Education Act was 1 of only 5 initiatives named as a "Model of 21st Century Career and Technical Education" in Harvard University's "Pathways to Prosperity: The Road to an American Solution". (Read more)

Category:Florida Talent -- posted at: 4:30 PM

The Sunshine State is ranked number one in the nation, topping Maryland for the percentage of 2010 seniors taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams while in high school. No other state has as many recognized schools and Florida's total is more than double the number in most other states. (Read more)

Category:Florida Talent -- posted at: 4:26 PM

A merger between Solamatrix of St. Petersburg and Madico of Masschusetts late last year is resulting in several new jobs being added in Pinellas County in 2011. (Read more)

Category:Manufacturing -- posted at: 9:21 PM

Ceridian Corp., a human resources and benefits company, plans to hire 220 people at its St. Petersburg operations. (Read more)

Category:Financial Professional Services -- posted at: 9:02 PM

The University of Central Florida's video game graduate school ranks No. 2 in North America, according to The Princeton Review and GamePro Media. (Read more)

Category:Information Technology: Industry News -- posted at: 8:55 PM

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