GrowFL, a program of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, helped Florida companies create more than 400 jobs throughout the state in 2010, the program's first year of operation. Based on proven business support strategies referred to as "economic gardening," this State of Florida-funded initiative targets companies in the second stage of growth that are most likely to create jobs.
The Metro Orlando EDC works closely with partners statewide to promote availability of the free suite of support services available to qualified second-stage companies through GrowFL. The Florida Economic Gardening Institute, which is based a UCF, was created by the Florida Legislature in 2009 to help stimulate Florida's economy.
This month, GrowFL and ACG Florida, in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation and funding support from the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, announced Florida's inaugural class of "Companies to Watch". This award recognizes privately held Florida businesses that employ up to 99 employees, have between $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or capital, and are notable for "positively impacting Florida's future." Together these small but growing companies generated $423 million in annual revenue and 510 net new jobs in 2010.
Of the 50 companies named "Companies to Watch" across the state of Florida, 16 of the winners are from Metro Orlando, including: Alinean, Inc.; Bari Furniture; Carter-Health; Engineering & Computer Simulations (ECS); Impact Lighting, Inc.; Industrial Lighting Products, Inc.; Innovative Data Solutions, Inc.; JVI Appraisal Division, LLC; Millennium Luxury Coaches; OptiGrate Corp; PlusOne Solutions, Inc.; Power Grid Engineering, LLC; THAT! Company; The DiSTI Corporation; The Kimball Companies; and VaxDesign Corporation.
Award winners will be honored at a celebration on February 17 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando. Click here for more information.
