GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Sept 8, 2011) – e-TechServices, a Gainesville-based information technology company, recently completed the statewide GrowFL program. President Mario Ariet, who co-founded the 12-year-old company with CEO Marc Spindler, said even with the company’s “deep bench of technical experts and years of experience in enterprise computing solutions” they still had limited access to some of the corporate tools that large companies use to market themselves. “We are a premiere IBM business partner whose experts offer enterprise-level computing solutions, consultation and design for systems integration and optimization, as well as disaster recovery and business continuity,” Ariet said. “The GrowFL team helped us gain access to some of these unique tools and provided insight into the Florida market place and online marketing strategies.” Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses for the program, the institute looks for companies that have the potential for success, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal√, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute. “e-TechServices, a growth-targeted company, showed that it has a promising future in the industry and therefore was ideal for the program,” said Dr. O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization. A leading provider of IBM mid-range and information technology solutions including systems, storage, software and IT professional services, e-TechServices has 13 employees, many of whom work in strategic satellite locations in Gainesville, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Tampa and Orlando. Ariet said his company’s affiliation with GrowFL proved that they are in the correct marketplace and are in a strategic position to continue their success. “It has given us an opportunity to showcase our unique skills to the companies and organizations who need these capabilities most,” he said. About e-TechServices Inc.: e-TechServices is a premier IBM Business Partner whose experts provide consulting and professional services to successfully implement any project by understanding the business requirements that drive the IT challenges that need solution. The company’s hosted managed services, cloud computing solutions and disaster recovery has made e-TechServices a go-to trusted partner to some of the nation’s premiere institutions and businesses, including the University of Florida, CSX Transportation and the State of Florida. For more information, visit www.e-techservices.com. For more information about this release, please contact: Mario Ariet, President, e-TechServices, 800-785-5993 [email protected] Fran Korosec, Director of Outreach Services, GrowFL, 407-882-0210, [email protected] Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, [email protected]

Florida Economic Gardening Institute Announces Continuation of Services to Help More Companies Achieve Similar Success ORLANDO, Fla. (September 1, 2011) –On the heels of an economic study showing an impact of 3,285 jobs created, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida has secured funding to continue the second phase of its successful GrowFL program that offers business support services to growth-oriented entrepreneurial companies.  Starting September 1, additional companies are eligible to receive the primary services offered by the Institute including business strategy and market research support—assistance which helped participating firms generate an estimated economic output of $510 million in the state. According to the results of the study, conducted by Tucker/Hall, GrowFL has created an impact of more than $267.4 million on the state’s gross regional product.  GrowFL also helped generate $18.17 million in state and local taxes, above and beyond the cost of the state-funded pilot program.  Since November 2009, GrowFL has had 312 engagements with 250 companies in its technical assistance business consulting program, sponsored more than 150 companies to participate in CEO roundtables and hosted dozens of special events, CEO forums, Webinars and entrepreneurial workshops. Also, an additional analysis was conducted using employer data provided by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI)/Bureau of Labor Statistics that compared job growth of GrowFL participant companies against similar companies in Florida that did not participate in the program.  From 2009 to 2010, non-participant companies reported an average net job loss of 3.5 percent.  In that same period, GrowFL companies reported an average net job gain of 7.4 percent.  Although there is a large statistical margin of error in the comparison (state’s available historical data allowed consideration of only 20 GrowFL companies), at face value GrowFL companies grew 10.9 percent faster than their peers from 2009 to 2010. “Our pilot program successfully introduced the concept of economic gardening to a statewide audience, and this study demonstrates its capacity for extensive company growth and job creation,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and associate vice president for UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization.  “Fortunately we have partners who have seen the effect economic gardening is having in this state and have stepped up to keep the program moving forward and extend its reach into local entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout Florida.” As the program begins its next phase, funding contributions from Orange County, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC), the University of Central Florida (UCF) and other economic development agencies will allow GrowFL to expand the existing eligibility criteria of the pilot program, effectively opening applications to a larger pool of second-stage companies.  Interested growth-oriented companies with seven to 100 employees are eligible for assistance.  Previous criteria related to industry or revenue/employee growth requirements have been eliminated. As part of FHTCC’s partnership, GrowFL will provide services to a limited number of companies in the 23-county Florida High Tech Corridor region.  FEGI is also reaching out to county representatives within the region to discuss the merits of a matching sponsorship for increased access to service in their communities.  Interested companies are encouraged to apply for assistance via the application form onwww.GrowFL.com.  The deadline for the first round of company applications will run through September 30. The Florida Economic Gardening Institute is also in the planning stage with many Florida counties and municipalities to establish customized economic gardening programs at a local level that best fit the needs of their community.  By utilizing the Institute’s proven technical assistance expertise and other services, local communities can initiate a program immediately.  In addition, as the only organization nationally certified in Economic Gardening, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute will assist local and regional partners with navigating the accreditation process so they too can create a nationally certified Economic Gardening program in their local area.  This model is intended to seed new Economic Gardening programs throughout the state by helping eliminate startup costs of individual programs. Communities with interest in establishing an economic gardening program are encouraged to contact the Institute directly at (407) 823-6384 or [email protected] To view a copy of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s impact study, visit www.growfl.com/news-reports-studies.html. About The Florida Economic Gardening Institute/GrowFL The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida was established in 2009.  Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Institute has provided services via the State of Florida’s Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, known as GrowFL.  With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems.  Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

Former CEO of Collier County’s Economic Development Council, Tammie Nemecek,Takes on New Partnership Development Position ORLANDO, Fla. (August 8, 2011) –With a new operational model that targets development and support of localized programs around the state, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida has selected Tammie Nemecek to lead GrowFL’s new partnership development activities. Nemecek will be responsible for coordinating with regional and local economic development organizations to enhance and expand entrepreneurial support programs in their local community.  Through funded collaborations, these programs will utilize the successful model of economic gardening that has been tested around the state through the Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s GrowFL Technical Assistance Pilot Program. As past chairwoman of the Florida Economic Development Council, Nemecek brings more than 15 years of experience in statewide economic development issues to her new role.  Previously, Nemecek served as the president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County, where she was responsible for the creation and retention of high wage, knowledge-based jobs throughout Collier County. “Tammie’s new role will help strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our local communities as she works to share economic gardening practices with organizations across the state,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and Associate Vice President for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.  “Tammie has experience in creating a successful entrepreneurial support network in Collier County.  She will greatly enhance UCF’s ability to bring economic gardening to communities throughout the State of Florida.” Nemecek has been recognized by Gulfshore Business magazine in 2003 and by Gulf Coast Business Review in 2007 as one of Southwest Florida’s 40 under 40 top executives.  In addition, the American Business Women’s Association recognized Nemecek in 2005 for her business leadership. Nemecek earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Eckerd College and Hodges University.

Cocoa-based Coastal Steel Inc. Will Add More Than 55 Jobs as a Result of Contract with Lockheed Martin ORLANDO, Fla. (July 12, 2011) –Thanks in part to the entrepreneurial ecosystem cultivated by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s GrowFL program, one Florida company will add at least 55 new positions.  Coastal Steel, a steel erection, fabrication and manufacturing company based in Cocoa, has been awarded a contract to work with Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions on its Persistent Threat Detection System (PTDS). PTDS is a large balloon-like tracking device that gives warfighters throughout Iraq and Afghanistan an eagle-eye view of the surrounding terrain, providing life-saving surveillance and reconnaissance.  Coastal Steel is responsible for building and pre-assembling a piece that represents 30 percent of the overall system and is comprised of more than 3,200 various components. Coastal Steel was selected to work with Lockheed Martin on the project since 2006, but the defense contractor has now ramped up its manufacturing requirements, prompting Coastal Steel to add 55 to 65 additional positions to its manufacturing team.  Executive vice president of Coastal Steel Inc. and president of Coastal Steel Manufacturing Dale Coxwell credits GrowFL with providing him the resources needed to obtain the Lockheed Martin contract. “The GrowFL team provided me with a lot of insight that has helped our company grow,” Coxwell said. “The information I obtained from GrowFL assisted in the procurement of this contract, which will put between 55 and 65 individuals to work over the next eight months.” GrowFL has helped support the growth of more than 200 second-stage companies across the state, and is equipped to assist additional companies through the end of August. “We are always excited to hear such positive news from our client companies,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.  “GrowFL is proving the concept that entrepreneurial ecosystems in support of growing companies do succeed in creating jobs.  Our team of business analysts is still available to help other companies add jobs and grow their business, just as Coastal Steel did.” The City of Cocoa and its Office of Economic Development first encouraged Coxwell to participate in the GrowFL program because of the company’s steady expansion into diverse industries such as aerospace, theme parks, green energy and defense.  The 35-year-old, family-owned business gradually became one of the City’s largest employers. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with Coastal Steel and see the company grow over the years thanks to numerous business assistance organizations like GrowFL,” said City of Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake.  “Even through these tough economic times, Coastal Steel has demonstrated what a second-stage company can achieve, and we’re proud that it is growing in the City of Cocoa.  In recognition of their success and commitment to the community, we are inviting Dale Coxwell and his team to our City Council meeting to award them the Key to the City.” The GrowFL program provides second-stage companies across Florida with advanced business tools to help evaluate competitor markets, define core business strategies, optimize Internet marketing and utilize geographical information systems to enhance business development and sales efforts. This customized technical assistance program is complemented by GrowFL’s other economic gardening services including CEO roundtables, CEO forums and referral services, administered in conjunction with statewide economic development partners. About Coastal Steel: For more than 30 years, Coastal Steel has been an innovator in steel erection and fabrication, continually exceeding customer expectations with quality service, craftsmanship and unsurpassed professionalism.  Phillip Coxwell founded Coastal Steel in 1976, building the reputation of a company with continuous, innovative solutions while focusing on construction methods, equipment and personnel.  Coastal Steel’s iconic work stands as a testament to the company’s quality and innovation.  The company portfolio includes world famous structures such as the Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest, Magic Kingdom Mission Space and the 90-foot Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  For more information, visit www.CoastalSteel.com.

National Economic Development Leaders Converge in Orlando to Learn from Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s GrowFL Model ORLANDO, Fla. (May 20, 2011) –The Florida Economic Gardening Institute (FEGI) has become nationally recognized as an outstanding model for economic gardening, and as a testament to the success of its GrowFL program, FEGI has been selected to host the Ninth Annual National Economic Gardening Conference in Orlando.  The conference began yesterday, May 19, with an evening reception at Casa Feliz in Winter Park and continues through today’s closing remarks at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen School of Hospitality Management. Many of the conference sessions focus on the unique model of economic gardening adopted by the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and GrowFL.  Economic development leaders and experts from Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina and elsewhere have converged in Orlando to learn about the GrowFL model and how to emulate its best practices. “We’ve built an economic gardening program that has grown from a community, to the county, to an 11 county region,” said Cinda Kelley, executive director of the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership.  “We know that to take this to the entire state of Indiana, we need to learn the best practices and approaches from the Florida program and the leaders of this entrepreneurial community.” “In Louisiana, we’re seeking ways to accelerate the growth of the companies that will create the most jobs in the future,” said John Matthews Jr., executive director of Small Business Services for Louisiana Economic Development.  “We’re starting a pilot economic gardening program to create the mechanism for fostering second stage entrepreneurship across the state.” “The principles of economic gardening have proven successful around the world and across the state of Florida,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.  “We are honored to host the National Economic Gardening Conference this year and to be recognized as a national leader in this growing movement in economic development.” In 2002, Chris Gibbons organized the first ever Economic Gardening conference in Littleton, Colorado, where 18 people attended to learn about Littleton’s entrepreneurial approach to economic development.  Over the years the conference has been held in cities that showcase the community’s local color such as the square at Santa Fe, a winery in California, a ranch in Colorado, a fort in South Dakota, a hunting lodge in Georgia and a terminal ferry in Washington. Today, the Edward Lowe Foundation, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs, has taken a major role in promoting Economic Gardening around the country, and the conference has grown with more than 120 agencies and institutions represented.  Other state and regional programs are being piloted in states such as Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Arizona, and Louisiana as well as Sudbury, Canada. As the only program to receive National Certification in Economic Gardening from the Edward Lowe Foundation, GrowFL utilizes an advanced suite of economic gardening services to help companies increase revenue and their employee base.  GrowFL has helped more than 200 second-stage companies throughout the state with advanced tools to evaluate competitor markets, define core business strategies, optimize Internet marketing and utilize geographical information systems to enhance business development and sales efforts. This customized technical assistance program is complemented by GrowFL’s other economic gardening services including CEO roundtables, CEO forums and referral services, administered in conjunction with statewide economic development organization partners. To learn more about the 2011 National Economic Gardening conference, visit www.negc2011.com. About the Edward Lowe Foundation:  Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs).  The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth.

Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s Technical Assistance Program Impacts Growth-Oriented Firms ORLANDO, Fla. (April 14, 2011) –The Florida Economic Gardening Institute reached another milestone this week when its GrowFL initiative accepted the 200th company into the advanced technical assistance program.  As the only program in the country to earn official accreditation in economic gardening, GrowFL provides client companies with a suite of economic gardening tools including sophisticated market research and recommendations to prepare second-stage companies to grow to the next level.  Collectively, the 200 companies that have received assistance from the program generated $860 million in revenue and employed 4,725 workers in 2010. The newest company to receive this free assistance is Telovations, a Tampa-based telecommunications company that provides business communications services in the cloud.  Telovations has already been ranked 213th in Inc. magazine’s Inc. 500, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. “We’re looking forward to continuing our growth on that same scale with the help of GrowFL and some of the tools they provide,” said president and CEO of Telovations, Mark Swanson.  “One of our goals is to better define and tailor our offering to vertical markets, and GrowFL will be helping us identify and target those customers.” The GrowFL program’s team of economic gardening analysts has helped second-stage companies from across Florida with advanced tools to help them evaluate competitor markets, define their core business strategies, optimize Internet marketing and utilize geographical information systems to enhance business development and sales efforts. “The 200 businesses that we’ve served demonstrate the unique qualities of growth-oriented companies,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization, “and they represent those most likely to grow Florida’s economy.  By giving them advanced market research tools, our GrowFL Economic Gardening team can prepare these companies to grow to the next level.” “GrowFL serves companies in a critical state of development – those that are past the startup phase and aggressively growing,” said Swanson.  “The transition from successful startup to successful mid-size business is challenging for many businesses, and we’re excited to work with GrowFL to help us move to the next level.” In a survey conducted in October 2010, 124 GrowFL companies reported creating 418 jobs as a result of participating in the economic gardening program.  In addition to creating new jobs, companies that have participated in the program have reported other anecdotal benefits to their company’s bottom line. “The information they provided us would have taken several months to do ourselves,” said Amjad Shamim, CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based AAJ Technologies.  “Because of this program we have added five new full-time employees to the payroll.” “Immediately I started getting information that was very helpful and actionable in the short-term, but also very good information to make long-term strategic decisions,” said Joe Buckheit, CEO of Naples-based MediaBrains.  “It was 35 hours of free consulting.” The one-on-one technical assistance program is complemented by GrowFL’s other economic gardening services including CEO roundtables, CEO forums and referral services, administered in conjunction with statewide economic development organization partners.

Attendees Will Learn About Florida’s Model and Best Practices ORLANDO, Fla. (April 5, 2011) –The Florida Economic Gardening Institute in conjunction with the University of Central Florida will host the 9th Annual National Economic Gardening Conference in Orlando on May 19-20, 2011. The conference’s primary focus is to give business leaders and economic development representatives the tools necessary to develop viable business development programs that will strengthen their communities, regions and states.  Practitioners and speakers from across the country will convene to share ideas and teach new ways to stabilize and grow existing businesses, while learning about the Florida model. “The theme of the conference this year is going to be focused on the success of the Florida pilot project.  We have been able to scale up the Littleton, Colorado program to a state the size of Florida with high fidelity.  We will explore all the components that led to that success.” said Chris Gibbons, Co-Creator of Economic Gardening. The conference will begin with a networking reception on Thursday, May 19 at Casa Feliz, the beautifully restored Spanish Farmhouse designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers located in Winter Park.  The conference will be held at the state-of-the-art facilities at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The scheduled sessions will cover a variety of topics including Entrepreneurs in the Florida Pilot Economic Gardening Program, Building Local Engagement, Outreach and Marketing Strategies, Organizational Culture Perspectives, a Panel Discussion on Other State Programs and their Best Practices, along with many others. According to Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, “We look forward to hosting this important and growing event and look forward to the opportunity to share how economic gardening has reshaped the economic development landscape in Florida.” The cost of the conference is $150 per person through April 30th, and $175 through May 18th, and $200 per person at the door. There are also lodging discounts for conference guests at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. For more information including sponsorships and registration please log on to www.NEGC2011.com or call 407-823-6384 for additional information.  Attire for the conference is business casual.

Nationally Recognized Edward Lowe Foundation Accredits Florida Program as First in the Country ORLANDO, Fla. (March 15, 2011) – Thanks to the specialized support its GrowFL program provides to growing second-stage companies throughout the state, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida has been designated as a Certified Economic Gardening Program by the National Center for Economic Gardening which is affiliated with the Edward Lowe Foundation. As a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship, the Edward Lowe Foundation is home to the National Center for Economic Gardening and has established a certification process for programs and individual professionals to earn accreditation in economic gardening.  The state-funded Florida Economic Gardening Institute is the first organization in the United States to receive Program Certification in the Center’s top-ranking Level Three, representing the highest engagement of economic gardening principles that is attainable. “Economic Gardening is a concept that takes an entrepreneurial approach to job creation by focusing on helping existing growth-oriented, second-stage companies accelerate growth,” said Mark Lange, executive director of the Edward Lowe Foundation based in Cassopolis, Michigan.  “What we’ve seen in Florida is an incredible network of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s statewide partners working together to support and foster the growth of second-stage companies on a level that has never been achieved before.” Chris Gibbons, co-creator of the Economic Gardening concept, helped start the program more than 20 years ago in Littleton, Colorado, after the city’s largest employer laid off 7,000 employees, dealing a huge blow to the local economy.  Gibbons has been advising the GrowFL team in the principles and practices of Economic Gardening. “The principles that we put in place in Littleton to focus on entrepreneurial development are being replicated and tested in regions within multiple states including Kansas, Indiana, and Georgia,” said Gibbons.  “The Florida Economic Gardening Institute has effectively applied the Littleton model to the fourth most populous state in the country—and it is serving as a national model for how to succeed on a large scale.” “This further demonstrates Florida’s leadership in entrepreneurial support,” said Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and associate vice president for UCF’s Office of Research and Commercialization.  “What we’ve accomplished in one year is not only thanks to the Edward Lowe Foundation and visionaries like Chris Gibbons, but also thanks to the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem in place across Florida.” The Florida Economic Gardening Institute employs an economic gardening team of business analysts that will receive Professional Certification in their respective categories:  New and Social Media, Market Research, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).  The institute’s leadership will also receive Professional Certification for the Team Leader category.  The Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s team has completed multiple training sessions, educational seminars and fieldwork to directly assist second-stage company clients of GrowFL. In its first year, GrowFL helped entrepreneurial growth companies create at least 418 jobs throughout the state.  CEOs of second-stage businesses have had more than 1,300 encounters with the program, against the program’s initial goal of 1,000 encounters. About the Edward Lowe Foundation:  Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through research, recognition and educational programs, which are delivered through entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs).  The foundation focuses on second-stage companies — those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth.

Florida Companies to Watch Inaugural Event Celebrated Companies that Create Growth and Foster Innovation

Awards Event Recognized Companies That Positively Impact Florida’s Future

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 24, 2011) – On the evening of February 17, 2011, fifty companies from 18 Florida counties earned a place in Florida’s inaugural class of “Companies to Watch” at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, FL.
The accolade, presented by GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida and ACG Florida, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation and funding support from The Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, recognized the state’s privately held businesses that employ up to 99 employees and have between $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or capital. The “Florida Companies to Watch,” which were named after evaluating more than 310 nominations for the awards, represent industries ranging from alternative energy development to food production and industrial gear makers to information technology firms. The combined impact of the fifty chosen companies is $419 million in total annual revenue; 1,972 full-time 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. This first time event boasted over 500 attendees who came together to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship in Florida. The winners came from across the state and from across multiple industries. “You can see a really good sampling of industry in Florida… companies that represent everything from technology to health science, from engineering to broadcasting, companies that manufacture things, companies that develop software. It’s proof that Florida has a very strong and very diverse economy,” says Penny Lewandowski, Director of Entrepreneurship Development at the Edward Lowe Foundation. With major sponsorship support from the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Florida Business Incubation Association, Fowler White Boggs, P.A. and the University of Central Florida, the “Florida Companies to Watch” awards program is an initiative developed by the Cassopolis, Mich.-based Edward Lowe Foundation. The foundation hosts similar programs in Michigan, Indiana, Colorado, Wisconsin, and North Carolina. Additional sponsors include Gulf Power Company, Nperspective, Osceola County Economic Development Department and the University of South Florida. “Florida Companies to Watch takes a whole-business approach, identifying companies across the state that represent Florida’s future, not just major metropolitan areas,” says Dr. O’Neal. “It shows the economic potential of the entire state as demonstrated by the successes of second-stage companies. Being selected for the Florida Companies to Watch awards program provides growing businesses the credibility and recognition that distinguish them among their competitors. This statewide event lauds the success of business leaders who have taken their operations to the “second-stage” of growth and hold the potential to continue to create new jobs in their communities and industries, thereby making a difference in regional communities.”

COMPANY  A.G. Findings & Mfg. Co. Inc. Aerostar Environmental Services, Inc. Airon Corporation Alinean, Inc. Analytics Partners Ark Naturals Products for Pets atLarge, Inc. Avalex Technologies Corporation B3 Solutions, LLC Bari Furniture Bit-Wizards Blue Streak Couriers Carter-Health Compass Solar Energy DGG Taser and Tactical Supply Inc E3 Spark Plugs eBridge Solutions Engineered Lining Systems Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS) Enporion FreightCenter GiftRAP Corporation H2 Performance Consulting Corporation Haynes Corporation Hixardt Technologies Inc

COUNTY BrowardDuval Brevard Orange Duval Collier Sarasota Escambia Duval Seminole Okaloosa Duval Orange Escambia Duval St. Johns Hillsborough Duval Orange Hillsborough Hillsborough Martin Escambia Collier Escambia

COMPANY Impact Lighting Inc. IMS ExpertServices Industrial Lighting Products, Inc. Innovative Data Solutions, Inc. JVI Appraisal Division, LLC Keystone Water Company Lakeside Medical Centers Media Vista Corporation Millennium Luxury Coaches NRI OmniPoint OptiGrate Corp Pharmaworks Phoenix Ink Corporation PlusOne Solutions, Inc. Power Grid Engineering, LLC Pro Poly of America, Inc. ReStockIt.com SCB Marketing Securboration Inc. THAT! Company The DiSTI Corporation The Kimball Companies The Launch Pad VaxDesign Corporation

COUNTY  Orange Escambia SeminoleOrange Seminole Highlands Pinellas Collier Seminole Palm Beach Hillsborough Orange Pasco Sarasota Orange Seminole Marion Broward Brevard Brevard Lake Orange Orange Pasco Orange

  EVENT ORGANIZERS GrowFL of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute About ACG Florida ACG Florida is a statewide collaboration of the four Florida chapters of the Association for Corporate Growth – Orlando, North Florida, South Florida and Tampa Bay. ACG is the global community for middle market M&A dealmakers and business leaders focused on driving growth. ACG members have access to data, content and networking to access capital, make deals and drive corporate growth. Founded in 1954, ACG has grown to more than 13,000 members organized in 55 chapters throughout North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.acg.org/florida About the Edward Lowe Foundation The Edward Lowe Foundation inspired the creation of the Companies to Watch program to celebrate second-stage entrepreneurs and their companies. Established in 1985, the Edward Lowe Foundation is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurship through recognition, education and research with a focus on second-stage companies—those that have moved beyond the startup phase and seek significant, steady growth. The foundation also encourages economic gardening, an entrepreneur-centered strategy providing balance to the traditional approach of business recruitment. For information about the Edward Lowe Foundation, visit www.EdwardLowe.org.

Research Shows Impact of Jobs Created from State-Funded Program

ORLANDO, Fla. (February 3, 2011) – Results from a study commissioned by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council found that the state-funded economic gardening program, GrowFL, helped to create a total of 1,458 direct, indirect and induced jobs in its inaugural year.  According to the results of the study, GrowFL contributed a more than $280 million impact (direct and indirect) to the state’s economy. “The results of this program demonstrate how economic gardening can be used as part of a successful economic development strategy to grow jobs and strengthen the small business landscape,” said Randy Berridge, president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  “Support for entrepreneurial initiatives is a major tenet of the Council’s mission to grow high tech industry and innovation, and we are a proud partner of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute’s GrowFL program.” The study also found that GrowFL helped generate $8.4 million in state and local taxes, above and beyond the cost of the program, representing a nearly 6 to 1 return to the state’s original investment of $1.42 million. Companies across the state have utilized the strategic decision-making resources and recommendations provided by GrowFL’s technical assistance and CEO roundtable programs to increase their client base and add positions to their team. “GrowFL has allowed me to take advantage of the downturn in the economy by providing strategic and tactical support through the technical assistance program and CEO roundtables,” said Doug Brown, president of Hollywood-based Florida Supplement, who reported creating 20 additional positions since being accepted to the GrowFL program.  “In 2010, Florida Supplement grew by more than 80 percent and more than doubled the number of its employees.  Fortunately, the nutritional supplement industry has remained strong throughout these challenging times and Florida Supplement continues to grow and take market share with the help of a strong virtual team from GrowFL that costs us nothing.” Companies in the professional, scientific and technical services industry reported creating the most positions out of every business sector since first becoming engaged with the GrowFL program, a fact that suggests these industries may have the greatest job creation potential. About the Study Lead researcher of the study, Guy Hagen, the founder of Innovation Insight Inc., explained how the different levels of economic activity mentioned in the study contribute to job creation. Hagen explained that direct economic impact is akin to a tree trunk – it’s easy to see the direct impact job creation programs, such as GrowFL, have on participating companies.  Indirectactivities are like the rootsof a tree that reach unseen into the ground and constitute local demand for products and services from other companies and service providers. “But if you have ever pulled a tree or shrub from the ground, you know that you pull up a lot more than clean roots … you also get earth, weeds, grass, bugs, worms and everything else that makes up healthy soil.  All of this additional earth and life that depends on the tree is similar to what we call induced economic impactsof a company or project,” said Hagen.  “Induced impacts reflect everybody who relies on spending generated by direct and indirect activity.  They are job gains by people who have no direct connection to the company, but benefit from the money the company introduces into the local economy.” GrowFL was funded in November 2009, following a special session of the Florida Legislature with the goal of stimulating investment in Florida’s economy by providing a free suite of economic gardening services.  Its one-on-one technical assistance program is complemented by other proven economic gardening services including CEO peer roundtables, CEO forums and referral services, administered in conjunction with statewide economic development organization partners.

Impact	Measurement
Jobs (Direct/Indirect/Induced)	1,458
Income/Wages/Benefits resulting from Jobs Created	$71.3M
Sales/Output	$281.2M
GDP	$133.6M
Derived State and Local Tax Revenues	$8.4M

 

Click here for a PDF of the complete study

  About the Florida High Tech Corridor Council The Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) is a regional economic development initiative of the University of Central Florida (UCF), the University of South Florida (USF) and the University of Florida (UF) whose mission is to grow high tech industry and innovation in the region through research, workforce and marketing partnerships. The unique partnership involving more than 25 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 state and community colleges, has resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that involves matching funds research, workforce development and a marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis. The Florida High Tech Corridor Council was the International Economic Development Council’s category winner for Partnerships with Educational Institutions during its 2009 Excellence in Economic Development Awards.  In 2010, the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) awarded the Council’s Matching Grants Research Program in the category of Improving Competitiveness of Existing Industries as part of its 2010 Excellence in Technology-Based Economic Development Awards. Additional information is available at www.floridahightech.com.