Osceola salaries lead Central Florida in percentage increase

Osceola County has seen the largest percentage increase in salaries in Central Florida over the past five years, going from $31,572 in 2005 to $35,464 in 2010, a 2.35 percent increase, a new On Numbers study shows. read the full story in the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida Companies to Watch for 2012 Nominations

    Building on a break-out inaugural year, the 2012 Florida Companies to Watch awards program is back to recognize and award growing second-stage companies, headquartered in Florida, that have established themselves as high performance companies in their marketplace. This year’s group of companies will have the opportunity to join an esteemed group of national Companies to Watch honorees recognized from across the U.S.     Developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, Companies to Watch was formed as an exclusive way to honor second-stage companies who exhibit innovative business strategies and processes. The companies recognized by this award are leading the way for second-stage companies and prove themselves to be “worth watching”. In 2011, Companies to Watch operated statewide in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In 2012, the program grows to northeastern California and Washington state. 
    “The Florida Companies to Watch celebrates the success of companies that make a significant difference in our economy.  In Florida, they account for eight percent of the companies and more than 30 percent of the jobs,” said Tom O’Neal, Associate Vice President for Research and Commercialization at UCF and Executive Director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. “They are in no man’s land: Too big to be small but too small to be big.  These companies make a difference and we’re happy to give the kind of recognition they deserve.”
      The combined impact of the 50 companies chosen as the inaugural winners of 2011 Florida Companies to Watch is $419 million in total annual revenue, 1,972 fulltime equivalent employees and 510 new net jobs created compared to 2009. From 2006 through 2010, these companies generated $1.4 billion in revenue and added 1,153 employees (both in Florida and out of state), reflecting a 162 percent increase in revenue and 141 percent increase in jobs for the five-year period. That translates into a 32 percent annual revenue growth and 28 percent annual growth in employees. A look at one of the second-stage winners of Florida Companies to Watch shows the incredible potential for Florida’s economic rebound.  
*Data compiled in December 2010.

Program Aims to boost export activity

    Osceola County businesses with an eye on international markets should take a look at a new Enterprise Florida program aimed at boosting export activity. Enterprise Florida's goals for the $780,786 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration include helping the state's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) diversify their target markets, and prompting infrequent and single-market exporters to expand their overseas trade activity.
    "There are very few grants that will be given and I would love to see Osceola County businesses get as many slots as possible," said Commission Chairman John Quiñones. "The International export market is a very good opportunity for the diverse businesses in our community to develop new revenue sources."
Information about Florida's initiatives can be accessed at http://www.eflorida.com/download/SBA_STEP_Grant_Summary.pdf. The Enterprise Florida program contact is Michael Schiffhauer, vice president, International Trade & Development, who can be reached at (407) 956-5634 or mschiffhauer@eflorida.com. The program forms are also available on the Osceola County Economic Development Web Site, www.chooseosceola.com.

Economic Prognostication

    University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith said slow will continue to be a key word in his latest forecast from the UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness.
   Snaith he predicts unemployment in Florida will remain above 9 percent until the end of 2014 – but that some areas will see growth.
   Payrolls and incomes are expected to creep up, retail sales will be much stronger, and housing starts will go up, Snaith predicts.
   Still, he said, things won't look like 2006-2007 for quite some time.
   "The year is shaping up to be another year of subpar growth," the institute said in its report. "Growth, to be sure, will continue and 2012 will be an improvement over a largely disappointing 2011, but economic growth for the year will (be less than) 2 percent and payrolls will expand by just 1.8 percent….
   "The near term economic picture for Florida is for a modest acceleration of the pace of recovery, including the labor market over the next two quarters," the report said.
    But, Snaith noted, "the damage to our economy from the recession, housing and financial crises was severe, and the process of rebuilding will take time." 

Colt's Expanding to Osceola County

   Osceola County, Florida - Colt's Manufacturing Company, LLC announced (on Dec. 1) its commitment to create 63 jobs in Osceola County for its new regional headquarters and product manufacturing center. The center will hire people for engineering and manufacturing jobs, among others. In 2012, Colt is projecting to begin phasing in the first of 63 jobs paying an average salary of $45,060 to be created during the following three years. Governor Rick Scott and Colt's Manufacturing Company President and CEO Lieutenant General William M. Keys USMC (Ret.) were joined by the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners for the announcement.
   "As a supporter of new job creation and the Second Amendment, this announcement sends the clear message that Florida is both open for business and a defender of our citizen's right to bear arms," Florida Governor Rick Scott said. "My primary responsibility as governor is to be our state's chief advocate for job creation. My personal involvement in bringing Colt to Florida demonstrates my administration's deep commitment to rebuilding our economy."
   Colt is making a $2.5 million capital investment in a vacant building, which the company will lease, that is owned by Osceola County. Governor Scott and his economic development team at Enterprise Florida Inc. and the Osceola County Economic Development Department worked with Colt to bring this project to fruition. State incentives include $250,000 from the Governor's Quick Action Closing Fund and funds for workforce training. Osceola County is offering additional incentives, including renovation of the building and rent concessions.
   "Colt looked at many possible sites across the nation, but we ultimately decided to locate our new facility in the State of Florida," Gen. Keys said. "Florida offered a strong pro-business incentive package. Coupled with the low cost of doing business in Florida and a favorable regulatory environment, opening this new facility was very attractive to us. Governor Scott's personal commitment to both Colt's growth plan and America's right to bear arms was instrumental in our decision."
   "Attracting an American icon like Colt, which is one of the world's top brands, is a real coup for our economic development efforts," said Commission Chairman John Quiñones. "Beyond creating new, high-wage jobs, Colt is going to be a great asset to our community."
   "Colt's expansion to Osceola County is a perfect fit for the region," said Dr. Sanford Shugart, president of Valencia College, which will design a specialized training program for the company. "Valencia College stands ready to deliver the best trained, best educated workforce possible. We welcome Colt's Manufacturing to Osceola County and commit to partnering with them and serving their employees and families for many years to come."

Nicholson Center Grand Opening

    The Nicholson Center held its grand opening Oct. 6.The center, which is expected to train 20,000 surgeons a year in minimally invasive techniques, is a brand new 54,000-square-foot, two-story, $54 million facility at the Florida Hospital Celebration Health campus. The hospital plans to hire 75 permanent jobs with the new center, which is projected to have a more than $13 million annual economic impact.

       The facility has six da Vinci robots, at $1.8 million a pop, 40 endoscopic surgical stations, a medical simulation center, and an innovation and technolgy accelerator. The Department of Defense awarded the Nicholson Center a $4.2 million grant to study ways telemedicine technology can be used in surgery. What’s more, the hospital is open to companies looking to partner, especially those already working in military simulation that want to translate their work into the medical field. 

 Center Features

• 500-seat conference center with high definition, multi-campus site videoconferencing and global communication capabilities.
• 6 da Vinci robotic stations in a dedicated robotics lab with bidirectional connectivity to other learning and education spaces.
• A simulation and robotics training center that offers computer-based simulations, medical virtual reality trainers, surgical simulators and multiple robotic technologies.
• An innovation and technology accelerator that focuses on new business initiatives with physicians, global medical companies, medical associations and the military.
• A dedicated dry simulation and robotics lab that can be subdivided into three suites, each offering full AV integration.
• Two 935 square foot, fully equipped team training operating room with bidirectional AV integration.
• Conference rooms, collaboration suites and board rooms accommodating teams from 4 to 25.

Lots o' Links

Tupperware makes the Washington Post Style section.

UCF economist Dr. Sean Snaith on Central Florida Spotlight.

Channel Intelligence CEO Rob Wight on the retail market.

Micro Key Solutions offers a mobile app.

Comptel event at Gaylord Palms in October.

News on Florida Hospital Celebration Health's new patient tower.

2011 NERF DART TAG World Championship held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort

Natural Gas Summit at ChampionsGate.

AES coming to Osceola County

Commissioner Fred Hawkins Jr., Darren Porcello, Commissioner Michael Harford and Boris Masera.  
An Indiana Company that repairs and overhauls high-end electronics, weapon systems and accessories for military operators worldwide and Prime Contractors is establishing its world headquarters here, the Osceola County Economic Development Department announced today.
    Called Project AES, the company has committed to creating 20 jobs over a three-year period with an average salary of $60,526 - 200 percent over the Osceola County average.
    "Osceola County offered an excellent business climate for an entrepreneurial, hi-tech company like ours," said Darren Porcello, spokesman for the company. "Osceola County has great weather, an affordable cost of living, a well-educated workforce, plenty of community amenities, including its location in the Florida High Tech Corridor."
    Because of the high wage level of the new positions, Aero Engineering Support will receive $100,000 in cash upfront from Osceola County as part of an agreement approved by the Board of County Commissioners. "This is great news for Osceola County. AES is creating highly-desirable jobs in a growing field," said Commissioner Michael E. Harford, whose district includes AES' new facility. "This company's choice proves that Osceola is a great place for cutting edge technology businesses to call home."
    The money will be used to purchase a back-up generator because the company can't afford any down time due to the need of military mission aircraft readiness.
    AES specializes in repair and overhaul of high-end electronics systems, as well as software development, Test Programming Services (TPS) and Design & Fabrication of Test Equipment, including Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) for end-users and the repair of weapons systems.
    Porcello said AES works with companies such as Rockwell-Collins, L3, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and many other Prime Contractors worldwide. The company provides repair/overhaul services for our Armed Forces that would include the Air Force, Navy and Army. The majority of AES customers are foreign military sales (FMS) including NATO, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea.
    "This company is a great fit for Osceola County," said Chairman Brandon Arrington. "AES has ties to the defense industry that will enhance our portfolio of companies and will create high-paying jobs for Osceola County residents."
    AES is also making a substantial investment to build out the space it is leasing, including construction of a clean room. AES plans on hiring technicians, engineers, scientists, software developers, Porcello said.
    Anyone with these skills who is interested in potential employment with AES should contact WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA for more details at www.workforcecentralflorida.com or Anika Holmes at 407-531-1222, ext. 2055.




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AES Inc. Traslada su Sede Mundial a Kissimmee

     Condado de Osceola, Florida - El Departamento de Desarrollo Económico del Condado de Osceola anunció hoy que una compañía en Indiana, la cual repara y revisa equipo electrónico sofisticado, sistemas de armamento y accesorios para operadores militares mundialmente, y Contratistas Principales establecerá su sede mundial aquí.
     Llamada Proyecto AES, la compañía se ha comprometido en crear 20 empleos durante los próximos tres años con un salario promedio de $60,526 - 200 por ciento sobre el promedio del Condado de Osceola.
     "El Condado de Osceola nos ofreció un excelente clima empresarial para una compañía emprendedora y de alta tecnología como la nuestra," dijo Darren Porcello, portavoz para la compañía. "El Condado de Osceola tiene un clima estupendo, un costo de vida económico, una fuerza laboral culta, muchos servicios en la comunidad, incluyendo su ubicación en el Corredor de Alta Tecnología de la Florida."
      Dado al nivel salarial alto de las nuevas posiciones, Aero Engineering Support (AES) recibirá $100,000 en efectivo del Condado de Osceola por adelantado como parte de un contrato aprobado por la Junta de la Comisión.
    "Estas son buenas noticias para el Condado de Osceola. AES está creando empleos altamente convenientes en una área de crecimiento," dijo el Comisionado Michael E. Harford, en cuyo distrito se encuentra la nueva facilidad de AES. "La elección de esta compañía demuestra que Osceola es un gran lugar el cual empresas con tecnología de alto nivel pueden llamar su hogar."
    El dinero se utilizará para la compra de un generador para reserva, ya que la compañía no puede estar tiempo fuera de servicio ante la necesidad y disposición de aviones para misiones militares.
    AES se especializa en la reparación y revisión de sistemas electrónicos de alta tecnología, al igual que al desarrollo de programas, Servicios de Prueba de Programas (conocido en inglés por sus siglas TPS) y Diseño y Fabricación de Equipo de Análisis, incluyedo Equipo Automático de Análisis (ATE) para equipos terminales y la reparación de sistemas de armamento.
    Porcello dijo que AES trabaja con compañías tales como Rockwell-Collins, L3, Boeing, Lockheed Martin y muchos otros contratistas principales a nivel mundial.
    La compañía provee reparación/revisión para nuestras Fuerzas Armadas que pueden incluir las Fuerzas Aéreas, Marina y el Ejército. La mayoría de los clientes de AES son ventas militares al extranjero (FMS) incluyendo NATO, Canada, Australia, Turquía, Arabia Saudita, Tailandia, Taiwán, Singapur, Malasia y Corea del Sur.
   "Esta compañía es perfecta para el condado de Osceola," dijo el Presidente Brandon Arrington. "AES tiene vínculos con la industria de defensa que mejorará nuestro portafolio de empresas y generará empleos de altos ingresos para los residentes del Condado de Osceola".
    AES también está haciendo una inversión considerable para construir el espacio que está rentando, incluyendo la construcción de un cuarto esterilizador.
   Los planes de AES son de contratar técnicos, ingenieros, científicos y desarrolladores de programas, dijo Porcello.
   Cualquier persona con estas habilidades que esté interesada en empleo con AES debe contactar WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA para más detalles en www.workforcecentralflorida.com o Anika Holmes AL 407-531-1222, ext. 2055.

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Link to our "We Speak Jobs" Event on Aug. 23 here.

Harmony Seeks Contractors for Sports Complex

The public-private venture behind a planned new sports complex in Osceola County is looking for an all-star team of contractors, the Orlando Business Journal reports. Harmony-based Harmony Development Co. plans to build an 81-acre, $21.5 million multi-use sports complex along the southern end of U.S. Highway 192. The county, which is kicking in $7.5 million in tourist tax revenue for the project, expects the complex to add to the millions of dollars in economic impact it already gets from amateur, collegiate and youth sports programs as teams travel to Central Florida for tournaments and championship games, and later spend time at area attractions and theme parks.

U.S. Chamber Ranks Florida's Workforce & Job Training No. 1

Florida earned the top spot in the second annual Enterprising States report just released by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation. After being ranked No. 2 last year for its workforce and training, the Sunshine State moved into the lead based on measures including job placement, the affordability and efficiency of its higher education system and the number of high school students enrolled in advanced placement courses. The nationwide report also touted Florida's Quick Response Training Program. Full story here.

Born 2011: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Tuesday legislation that reshuffles the state’s economic development agencies, while eliminating Florida’s lead growth management department. Scott signed SB 2156 into law while meeting with Enterprise Florida business leaders in Orlando. The head of the public-private Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope, who Scott recruited from a similar post in Mississippi, becomes Florida’s secretary of commerce, under the legislation. The legislation also consolidates much of the state’s economic development efforts under a new Department of Economic Opportunity.

Partin Village groundbreaking = Jobs

Developers Tuesday morning, along with Osceola County officials, broke ground on a new shopping center on East U.S. Highway 192 that they say will generate hundreds of new jobs and boost sales and property taxes – all thanks to a moratorium on county transportation impact fees, the Osceola News-Gazette reports.

Kissimmee gets $2 million from state for Airport

After failing to escape the governor’s veto pen over a number of years, the Kissimmee Gateway Airport received $2 million this year from the $69.1 billion state budget to allow an aviation business park project to take flight and help create jobs, the Osceola News-Gazette reports. The design, which was completed in 2001, calls for a 12-acre park with about 10 parcels of land on which about eight aviation-related businesses could build. Some examples, according to Airport Director Terry Lloyd, could be aviation maintenance shops, manufacturers of aviation components or specialized flight training, such as a jet training school.Lloyd said the airport had been waiting since about 2003 for the appropriation.

Gaylord-DreamWorks: A New Alliance

    Gaylord Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has unveiled a strategic alliance to expand Gaylord Hotels’ family-friendly leisure offerings to feature the DreamWorks Experience, the next generation of family vacation programming and world class entertainment.
     As part of this strategic alliance, Gaylord plans to offer unique leisure experiences for its guests featuring DreamWorks Animation’s iconic characters at all Gaylord properties. The live interactive experiences will include character breakfasts, newly themed Christmastime events, poolside activities in the summer, imaginative food-and-beverage offerings, private birthday parties, festive parades, merchandise and various themed entertainment. Gaylord Hotels plans to feature live appearances by characters from current DreamWorks Animation franchises, including “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Madagascar,” as well as other future films and characters from the studio.
     “We are honored to form such an exciting alliance with one of the most visionary entertainment companies in the world to bring the iconic DreamWorks Animation characters to life for our leisure hotel guests,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment.
     “Gaylord Entertainment has displayed an incredible commitment to creativity and high-quality family entertainment, making each of their world-class U.S. resorts an ideal destination for the DreamWorks Animation brand,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation. “We look forward to bringing to life the characters, stories and worlds featured in our film franchises in new and innovative ways throughout the Gaylord Hotel guest experience starting this year.”
     “Visitors to Gaylord Palms and our community, be they tourists or locals, will be offered something unique and exciting,” said County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “The opportunities that this partnership is bringing to Osceola County, Florida are endless.”
      “The DreamWorks Experience is a great strategic move by Gaylord Entertainment,” said County Commissioner Michael E. Harford, whose district includes the resort. “These beloved characters will attract thousands of additional guests to Gaylord Palms, which will translate into greater occupancy and more tourism dollars for the Osceola County market.”

Congressman Posey Hosts Entrepreneur Summit

     The Osceola County Economic Development Department coordinated with Congressman Bill Posey in hosting a successful entrepreneur summit in Osceola County on April 27. The event at Workforce Central Florida in Kissimmee showcased six local entrepreneurs to the public and potential investors.
     The event drew a large crowd of interested business leaders, local experts and members of the public.

     “The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in Central Florida,” said Congressman Posey. “This was a great experience and I very much enjoyed the opportunity to listen to the presentations and talk with local business leaders about getting our local economy moving. I would like to thank everyone who helped pull this forum together, for their dedication to our community and their drive to help local businesses and job seekers succeed.”

      “Osceola County is glad to be part of an event that helps identify and nurture entrepreneurs in our community,” said Osceola County Commissioner Frank Attkisson. “This forum is a great way to jump start entrepreneurship – and ultimately help small businesses that will create jobs for Osceola County residents.”

     “In these tough economic times, it is vital that agencies work together to create an environment that allows small businesses to flourish,” said Maria Toumazos, Osceola County Economic Development Administrator. “There’s no doubt that connections made at today’s event will spark new partnerships and employment opportunities for Osceola County entrepreneurs.”
   A VIP luncheon at Valencia Community College was held with the help of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council and other partners.
    More pictures from the Summit here.

SBDC Success Story: In On Cable Installers Inc.

    Mark Hobson, left  and Jeff Austin (far right), the owners of In On Cable Installers Inc. worked with SuntTrust's Asley Caroli, second from the left, and the SBDC's Janice Lopez, third from the left, to position their company for sustained growth in the future.
     While setting the stage for the future by securing capital, In On Cable Installers Inc. is also hiring right now. Sustained financial growth is expected in coming years, company officials said, thanks in part to resources offered through the Small Business Development Center at UCF-Kissimmee.
     Specializing in all areas of low voltage wiring IN ON has evolved from a two-man operation in 1991 to a company with more than 150 employees in becoming one of the largest cable contractors in Central Florida.
     To leverage their business through programs offered by the SBA, Jeff Austin scheduled an appointment with the SBDC -- a program funded by Osceola County, the City of Kissimmee and United States Small Business Administration -- to learn about the different types of SBA Loan Programs.
     After discussing the company's position, the group decided that more cash flow would allow for an increase in employees. The SBDC recognized that the company was financially sound and the key was to make sure that they were prepared before approaching local lenders.
     Once all the documents were in place, the SBDC referred the client to three SBA participating lenders, one of which was SunTrust who was able to provide the necessary financing through an SBA 7(a). Ashley Caroli, from SunTrust, stated that "the fact that In On was prepared, made the loan process that much smoother."
     In On was able to tap into their local resources and save on finance charges, which in turn has allowed them the opportunity to continue hiring more employees. Jeff Austin stated the "SBDC at UCF is a great resource for companies in Osceola County."

Channel Intelligence Facebook App

  Celebration-based Channel Intelligence, a developer of e-commerce software and services for manufacturers and retailers, has unveiled CI Where to Buy Facebook, an application to help manufacturers use the social media site to connect potential buyers to retailers that sell their products, Information Week reports.
    The company's latest product joins its CI Boost family, which includes a product-search tool used within Google and Bing; display advertising; shopping engines used on sites such as PriceGrabber.com and Shopzilla.com; marketplaces for discontinued, refurbished, and end-of-inventory items used on sites like eBay and Amazon; e-commerce sites; and Where to Buy, which directs consumers to retail outlets from a manufacturer's site.
    "A lot of manufacturers are still figuring out how to be in the right place at the right time. The popularity of Facebook is undeniable," Alan Fulmer, CI's executive VP and co-founder, said in an interview. "They know they want to be there and interact with their consumers. People are interacting with brands. If you're looking for opportunities with discounts, deals, or coupons, and there's a buying moment, [manufacturers] want to help them close that process and help them buy."
     More than 100 of CI's 140-plus manufacturing clients have a Facebook page, according to the marketing software and service firm's internal research. About 10 of those manufacturers have created a temporary Facebook solution to help guide their customers to retailers, perhaps by adding a list of retail locations that sell their wares, said Fulmer.

Swoope to Head Enterprise Florida

   The board of Enterprise Florida voted Monday afternoon to hire Gray Swoope as its new president and chief executive officer, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, was recommended by Gov. Rick Scott. The board, which had begun a search for new president since Scott fired former President John Adams, decided it would forgo a national search and go with the governor’s recommendation.
   In fact, former House Speaker Allan Bense, who was leading the search effort for Enterprise Florida, cited how long it took — six months– for the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission to find a new president.
   “Frankly, I don’t think Florida is in a position right now where we can wait five or six months,” Bense said.
   The board voted to cap Swoope’s salary at $300,000, including base pay equal to the governor’s salary of about $130,000 and incentive pay not to exceed $170,000.
   There’s a big catch in his contract, though. Swoope has agreed to work without a cushy severance package. All that his contract will require is that he receive 30 days notice if the governor decides to fire him.