Biofuel predictions for 2010

Thanks to Biofuels Digest.

CES Anyone?

Plans to attend CES Jan. 7-10? Please share.

Ready for Rio

    Enterprise Florida is expanding its help for Florida companies looking to do business in Brazil and may soon offer money to manufacturers and exporters based here while working to convince Gov.-elect Rick Scott to lead a mission there next fall.
    The effort "will include road shows" in Florida to promote the state to international customers and in Brazil to promote it abroad, said Manny Mencia, senior vice president for international trade and business for the state's economic development agency, and "a more proactive effort to get Florida companies to participate in US-certified trade shows in Brazil."
    He couldn't say how much the agency will contribute to those grants, or how more much it will spend on promoting doing business with Florida.
    Florida now has the largest pavilion at Hospitalar, a healthcare supply show held annually in São Paulo that in 2010 attracted 90,000 attendees from 41 countries, according to its website.
    Enterprise Florida has also run two export missions to Brazil and hopes for another to be led by Scott in fall 2011.
     http://www.miamitodaynews.com/news/101230/story3.shtml

Gaylord to host Enterprise Connect

   Enterprise Connect, formerly VoiceCon, produced by UBM TechWeb, today announced keynote speakers and new conference programs for Enterprise Connect Orlando 2011. Enterprise Connect will be held February 28 - March 3 at the Gaylord Palms Hotel and covers the full range of platforms, services and applications that comprise modern communications and collaboration systems. Registration is now open at http://www.enterpriseconnect.com/orlando/.
   The keynote lineup reflects the changing market landscape in enterprise communications and collaboration, comprising top executives from companies with a long history of market leadership as well as relative new-comers who have achieved more recent success. The keynoters are:

• Avaya's Kevin Kennedy, President & CEO
• Cisco's Barry O'Sullivan, SVP Voice Technology Group
• HP's Arthur Filip, VP and GM, Technology Service Consulting, Enterprise Business
• Microsoft's Gurdeep Singh Pall, Corporate VP, Unified Communications Group
• Skype's David Gurle, General Manager and Vice President, Skype Enterprise

   Full release here.

Gov. Crist appoints 2 to Enterprise Florida Board

   Out with the old in with the new:
   Outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist appoints 2 to the Board of Directors of Enterprise Florida Inc. (Senate confirmation required).
    Scott Peelan, 52, of Winter Park, managing partner, Moreno Peelan Ruggie Pinto Clark LLC, succeeding Henry Rodriguez, appointed for a term beginning December 28, 2010, and ending July 11, 2014.
    Thomas “Marty” Fiorentino, 51, of Ponte Vedra Beach, president, The Fiorentino Group, succeeding Allan Bense, appointed for a term beginning December 28, 2010, and ending July 11, 2014.

Putnam staff appointments announced

Commissioner-Elect Adam Putnam announced staff appointments for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Mike Joyner joins Putnam’s team as Assistant Commissioner and Chief of Staff with Marion Aller, Shannon Shepp and Jay Levenstein as Deputy Commissioners. Link here.

HSR=Jobs, Dollars

   When high-speed trains got axed in Wisconsin, Talgo Inc., the Spanish manufacturer of high-speed train cars, announced plans to abandon its plant in Milwaukee in 2012, according to Nora Friend, a spokeswoman for the company.
   The decision was made after U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Thursday that the federal government was rescinding the $810 million allocated to Wisconsin.
    'Nuff said?
    Of more import. Where will they go?

UCF's Snaith: Economy turns corner in 2011

    A leading Florida economist sees the Sunshine State turning a corner in 2011, with a weak recovery gaining steam and the downturn left behind as a painful — albeit lingering — memory, the Miami Herald reports.

    “From this point on, things are just going to get better,” said Sean Snaith, a University of Central Florida economist. On Tuesday, he issued an economic forecast for South Florida that predicts stronger growth in personal income and employment than he predicted just three months ago. “The bottom has been touched.”

    A crafter of economic sound bites -- in the spring he issued a press release comparing Florida's anemic recovery to the Foghat hit, Slow Ride -- Snaith's sunnier tone captures a broader mood shift.

3 posts for the price of one

From the Orlando Sentinel.
    The U.S. Small Business Administration has officially rolled out its revamped website, with improved navigation and new features. SBA also announced this month two new funding initiatives aimed at increasing the number of lower-dollar SBA loans going to entrepreneurs in underserved communities. The Small Loan Advantage and Community Advantage programs each include a streamlined application process for SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loans of as much as $250,000. Such loans can be used as working capital or to buy equipment or real estate.
    And now for something entirely different....
    Tom O'Neal, founder and executive director of UCF's Business Incubation Program, presented a paper on fueling entrepreneurship to the Technology Transfer Society at George Washington University in Washington. O'Neal shared a paper on entrepreneurial ecosystems that focused on the network of support enterprises that benefit clients of incubation efforts.
   Japanese firm partners with local researchers to fight obesity

   Officials at Orlando's Sanford-Burnham Research Institute and Florida Hospital on Monday announced a major partnership with Asia's largest pharmaceutical company — an alliance that will explore new ways to treat obesity. Story link here.

Harvard To Study Clusters for EDA

The Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School has been selected by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration to lead the Cluster Mapping Project for the United States. The project aims to provide policymakers and development practitioners across America with rich data and tools for understanding industry clusters in every region of the country, together with tool kits and case studies to assist in formulating economic development strategies. In addition, the project will develop a directory of active cluster initiatives throughout the country.

How Will Changing U.S. Logistics and Cargo Movement Patterns Impact Economic Development?

A significant evolution in global logistics is taking place, which can be an economic development advantage or a liability for communities. To assess the potential impact, it's important first to understand trends and factors affecting freight transportation today. More at IEDC site here.

New Name for Valencia

Valencia Community College’s District Board of Trustees approved changing theschool’s name to Valencia College to more accurately reflect its mission and program mix, including the addition of bachelor’s degrees in 2011. The name change will take effect July 1, 2011. Valencia ranks first among the nation's 1,200 two-year institutions for the total number of associate's degrees awarded. Valencia ranks second in the number of degrees awarded to Hispanics and eighth in the number of degrees awarded to African Americans.

ORMC Plans $50 Million Expansion

     Osceola Regional Medical Center has announced a $50 million expansion that includes a new patient services tower. When complete, the tower will house an additional 64 state-of-the-art private rooms.Currently in the design phase, construction is expected to begin the summer of 2011 and to be completed by the first quarter of 2013. Osceola Regional anticipates spending nearly $6 million on technology and medical equipment to outfit the tower. The expansion will also create about 125 new jobs. Click here to read the entire release.

Kissimmee firm reaches deal with Caribbean Cinemas

   Golden Brothers Studios, a Kissimmee-based film production studio, has reached a distribution deal with Caribbean Cinemas Management Inc. in San Juan and plans to start production of its newest project, 365 Decision Time, in mid-February.
   Ariel Santiago, a principal of the firm, said Golden Brothers Studios specializes in feature-length films and TV productions that convey an uplifting message and positive role models. 365 Decision Time is currently the pre-production.
   Golden Brothers Studios is a client company of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program located at the Kissimmee City Centre.
   Golden Brothers Studios was founded by three professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience in the audiovisual and multimedia medium.

Yallaly Company in St. Cloud Launches Web Site

     Yallaly Company, which provides Professional Engineering services to rural Florida utility systems, has launched its own web sites at http://www.yallaly.com/.
     James Gary Yallaly, P.E., principal engineer for Yallaly Company, said his firm provides specialized engineering services to rural Florida cities, counties and regions to improve water, waste water, reclaimed water, storm water and solid waste utility systems. 

da Vinci arrives at ORMC

   Osceola Regional Medical Center performed its first robot assisted laparoscopic surgery last month. The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard Real, an Obstetrician/Gynecologist using the da Vinci® Surgical System.
    The new technology provides surgeons superior 3D visualization, improved dexterity, and increased precision for optimal performance of certain types of minimally invasive surgery, including gynecology and the treatment of gynecologic cancer. Among the benefits of this technology are less pain, blood loss, and scarring than conventional open surgery. In addition, reduced instances of infection, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and quicker return to normal activities have also been reported.
    The new technology is part of Osceola Regional Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality of care to the community.

ORMC Expansion complete

   Central Florida & Vascular Institute of Osceola Regional Medical Center announced  the completion of its new expansion project. The new Cardiac and Vascular Unit which includes the addition of a new floor to their cardiac tower will be a dedicated unit for cardiac and vascular patients.

   The state of the art and modern design of the Cardiac & Vascular Unit will add 22 private patient rooms, including a VIP Cardiovascular Room, for a total of 82 beds to the cardiovascular program. 

    An investment of $10 million is estimated on the project which began early 2010. 

    “We are excited to show off our new Cardiac and Vascular Unit to our patients, physicians and visitors.  Our priority is to continue to meet the demands of our growing population and provide the highest quality cardiovascular care,”  said Kathryn Gillette, Chief Executive Officer at Osceola Regional Medical Center. 

Florida DOE awards $2.3 million to Osceola

   The Florida Department of Education has awarded the Osceola School District $2,339,632 in 2010/2011 federal funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC). The total includes continuation grants for existing local Cohorts III, IV, V, and VI.
   The 21st CCLC Program targets low-income families and students, low-performing schools, and schools designated as in need of improvement under Title I. The program purpose is to provide safe environments during non-school hours for students, as they participate in academic and personal enrichment opportunities and other activities that complement the regular academic curriculum.
   The program also engages adult family members of actively participating students through educational and personal development opportunities. Centers provide a range of high-quality services to support student learning and development, including: tutoring and mentoring, academic enrichment (e.g., homework assistance, reading, math, science, and technology programs), service learning, character education, physical education/recreational activities, and dropout prevention.

Impact Fee waiver approved for February

    Osceola County Commissioners hope to spark commercial development by waiving commercial transportation impact fees for year starting in February.
    Commissioners approved the concept by a 5-0 vote Monday in hopes that millions in savings will jump start the sagging economy and entice builders to develop properties.
    They must implement the measure by ordinance. The item is planned for action in January.
    County officials hope forgoing the fee revenue will bring more commercial development into the area.
    The impact fees pay for growth-related road projects.
    Ultimately, the county plans a comprehensive review of the impact fee program.
    The county’s impact fee moratorium only includes transportation impact fees and does not apply to other types of impact fees – such as those charged for parks, water and schools.
    The move will give builders noticeable cost savings on commercial construction and level the playing field on competitive economic development projects.

OIA on the upswing

   Upward momentum is accelerating at Orlando International Airport, where the number of airline passengers was up nearly 8 percent in October compared with the same month last year, according to this report.
   The monthly improvement in airline traffic was the sixth in a row for OIA, following two years of mostly declining passenger counts. The airport recorded 2.88 million passengers either coming or going in October, compared with 2.67 million in October 2009 — a 7.9 percent increase.
   Both domestic and international traffic showed robust growth in October: the number of domestic passengers rose 7.7 percent, while international traffic (a much smaller share of the total) was up 10.3 percent.

Rail money comes to Florida.

    The last piece of funding for a high-speed train linking Orlando and Tampa came through Thursday, after the White House sent to Florida $342 million from two states that rejected federal rail grants, reports the Orlando Sentinel's Dan Tracy.
    The award means the $2.7 billion project essentially is paid for, with almost 90 percent coming from the federal government and the remainder pledged in installments by the state.
     Eight teams of companies have indicated they would compete to design, build and run the 84-mile system, which would run largely along the median of Interstate 4. Construction could begin in late 2012, with the first trains rolling in 2015.
     The last potential roadblock is Florida's Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who has been noncommittal about the train.
     "I'm pleased that the federal government recognizes that sound infrastructure is key to Florida's economic growth,'' a statement from Scott's transition office said. "I look forward to reviewing the feasibility of this project in terms of return to Florida's taxpayers. I'm also interested in understanding the private sector's interest in funding this infrastructure project."

Biofuels Conference in Washington

    'The Year of Decisions'
    Administration officials from USDA, DOE and EPA, plus military and aviation fuel buyers will join the biofuels' feedstock and processing technology leadership in DC this April at the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference.
    350 attendees are expected at the event, which last year drew CEOs representing 70 percent of announced worldwide advanced biofuels capacity.

    Four of the top 5 CEOs in the 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy are among the headliners at ABLC. April 19-21, 2010, at the Capital Hilton, in Washington DC.
     Early bird rates - $200 off the regular conference rate - are available for early registrants attending the Advanced Biofuels Leadership Conference.

    Full conference info and registration here.

Channel Intelligence Report on Xmas Season

Check out the video from CI's Alan Fulmer here. The company headquarters is in Celebration.

Additional Funds for High Speed Rail

Federal officials announced Thursday they are awarding Florida an additional $342 million for the $2.6 billion high-speed rail project.

Registration is now open for Manufacturing Days at the Capital 2011. The event is Monday, January 24-Tuesday, January 25, 2011 in Tallahassee, FL. On January 24 a briefing will be held at the TCC Advanced Manufacturing Training Center and a reception will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Tallahassee; on January 25 participants will make visits to legislators at the Capitol Building.
You may register online at www.mafmfg.com by going to the Calendar page. You may also sign up to sponsor the event online. The registration form, sponsor form, and agenda may be downloaded from the Calendar page, if you prefer.
We look forward to seeing you at this popular event for manufacturers in Florida!

Public Meeting for Lake Toho Hydrilla Control

    Anyone interested in learning more about the recent hydrilla control on Lake Toho should plan to attend a public meeting in Kissimmee on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 7:15-8 p.m. at the Osceola County Commission Chambers in the Administrative Building at 1 Courthouse Square.
    Staff from the FWC will present information on the recent hydrilla herbicide applications, their results and plans regarding the adaptive approach to hydrilla control on Lake Toho for the upcoming winter and spring.