The availability of a skilled workforce consistently ranks as one of the most critical, sought-after factors that companies take into account when deciding which locations to expand in or relocate to. That's great news for our state as Florida was just ranked number one in the nation for its workforce by CNBC's fourth annual America's Top States for Business rankings.

This is the second time Florida has been ranked #1 for its workforce and the third consecutive year it has been ranked in the top three spots for its workforce. The CNBC study rated all 50 states based on the education level of their workforce, number of available workers, union membership and the success of the state's worker training programs.

The diversity of this region's workforce impacts its ability to nurture innovative thinking and offer companies a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. No matter what level of skill is needed, Metro Orlando's labor pool is well prepared. With a young, median age of 38 and a population diversity that leads the rest of the nation by 35 years, this region is home to the kind of well rounded and highly-skilled employees that companies seek to help their business thrive.

And with access to state-sponsored workforce training grant programs that allow them to keep their talent sharp and on the cutting-edge in their respective fields, the combination for Florida's workforce can't be beat.

This week, Winter Park-based Full Sail University opened its much anticipated Full Sail Studios Gateway Project, a 2.2 acre landmark project.

The project includes:

• Full Sail Live Venue - a 22,000 square foot multi-purpose facility

• new complex with state-of-the-art game production studio and recording studio

• outdoor plaza courtyard

• expansion to the on-campus professional film studio backlot

The Live venue will offer students the chance to work behind-the-scenes on a variety of on-campus events to be held, including live productions, panels, guest lectures and more.

The film studio backlot is the final phase to the existing backlot that will now offer 19 different outdoor scenic environments.

Internationally renowned Full Sail University has 28 entertainment degree programs with more than 8,800 students.

The film industry nationwide is abuzz with news of the State of Florida's recently passed Film and Entertainment Incentive which goes into effect on July 1.

To promote use and significance of this fund, the EDC's Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission teamed with Women in Film & Television Florida (WIFT) to co-host a "Business of Entertainment" symposium this past week at The Plaza Theater in downtown Orlando. The day-long event attracted close to 100 film and entertainment industry representatives.

The EDC's own Suzy Spang, vice president of entertainment and technology, served on a panel discussing the Florida tax incentive. Panel members agreed that this revamped incentive program is great news, allowing Florida to compete on a more level playing field with states offering higher incentives.

Watch Suzy describe below how the new incentive is a "game changer" for film and entertainment in the State of Florida.

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Incentive Program Materials Available Online

Florida Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program materials are now available at: http://www.filminflorida.com/ifi/incentives.asp.

For more information, a teleconference will be hosted by the Governor's Office of Film & Entertainment as follows:

Incentive Teleconference Call Information
Date: June 2, 2010
Time: 1:00pm EST - 2:30pm EST

Call in number: 1.888.808.6959
Conference code: 4104765

The purpose of the call is to provide an overview of the program, point out differences from the previous program, provide information about the application process, and respond to pre-submitted questions.

High caller volume is anticipated. We recommend that you review online materials prior to the call and submit questions by close of business on Tuesday, June 1st via email to: film.incentive@myflorida.com.

Note: Incentive applications will be accepted no earlier than 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, June 9th.

Orlando's own Waymon Armstrong, president and CEO of Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. (ECS), was recognized by President Barack Obama as the National Small Business Person of the Year in Washington, D.C. this week. Armstrong received the top award given during the U.S. Small Business Administration's annual celebration of National Small Business Week on Thursday. He was then invited to the White House for additional recognition from the President.

"Waymon's commitment to his employees and to his business demonstrates the qualities that make small businesses such a powerful force for job creation in the American economy and in their local communities," said Karen Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. "It's the same qualities that will lead us to economic recovery."

ECS is a software development and solutions company that uses cutting edge technology to help government and private clients prepare for natural disasters, medical emergencies, and times of war. Armstrong started the company in 1997 through the University of Central Florida (UCF) Incubation Program. Today ECS employs close to 50 and has been recognized for corporate growth and innovation by Inc. 500, Deloitte Fast 500 and Washington Technology Fast 50, as well as receiving Florida's IT Florida award in 2008. CEO Armstrong was also recently named Florida's Small Business Person of the Year and was a finalist for Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007 and 2009.

Sincere congrats to Waymon Armstrong, who is also an involved and dedicated EDC supporter. Below, watch him explain why he chooses to do business in Metro Orlando.

Orlando has a worldwide brand known for its imagination and creativity thanks to our region's world class theme parks.

Recognized by BusinessWeek as one of the world's "most fiercely competitive" communities, Orlando offers unlimited potential on par with the nation's top business centers; a diverse spectrum of industries; young, vibrant, talented workforce; multi-modal access to destinations around the globe; a do-what-it-takes attitude; and year-round sunshine.

There are many reasons in which to consider Orlando as a business location.

Here are our top ten:

1. Young, Diverse, Educated Workforce
2. Access. Access. Access.
3. Top Location for Entrepreneurs
4. Real Estate Variety
5. Tech Industry Hub
6. Innovation Economy
7. Nation's 3rd Largest University
8. Great Neighborhoods
9. Partnership Philosophy
10. The "Livability" Factor

But don't take our word for it. Plenty of business leaders have told us in their own words why Orlando is an ideal business destination.

Click here to read their testimonials.

Or watch them tell their story...

...from a business perspective...

...or from a personal perspective...

Click here for more about why Orlando rocks.

Pelliconi Group - an international leader in the production of plastic and metal caps, crowns and closures for the bottling industry - has established their North American operations in Orlando, Fla.

Pelliconi will create a total of 24 positions; ten will be hired immediately and fourteen will be created over the next three years. Pelliconi has chosen an 86,000 square foot facility in Orange County's Central Park, just south of downtown Orlando.

Pelliconi explored markets throughout Florida and Georgia to establish the company's North American operations. According to Marco Checchi, Pelliconi Group CEO, "In Orlando we feel that we found people and a place that were truly interested in the future of our company. We felt like we were at home here, something we didn't feel other places."

Here, Marco Checchi explains why they chose Orlando.

The Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission (EDC) and NAI Realvest worked to recruit Pelliconi to Orlando, providing a variety of economic development and site selection services. A number of local companies were involved in helping to attract the company here, especially Akerman Senterfitt and Duke Realty, among others. Additionally, Orange County and the State of Florida provided support throughout the economic development process.

Pelliconi is based in Bologna, Italy and has three production plants: Bologna; Chieti, Italy; and Cairo, Egypt. The company also has three foreign subsidiaries, in France, UK and Germany; and a worldwide network of sales and distribution that has allowed them to become the world's largest producer and exporter of crown corks.

Women in Film and Television Florida's recent "Jingle Mingle" event gave the EDC's Metro Orlando Film & Entertainment Commission a chance to do some filming of its own. We asked attendees a question to help in our ongoing promotion of this region as a location for their industry -- Why do you find Metro Orlando a great place for film and entertainment production? -- and captured their responses for posting on our YouTube channel.

Jules Keeley, a local freelance production coordinator/ manager, responded enthusiastically: "Our crews can compare with any in the world...plus we have the resources, infrastructure and the Florida lifestyle."

More praise rolled in from MedStar, the production company behind TV's Forensic Files, which has twice filmed episodes in Metro Orlando in recent months. "The crew is nice and the best we work with, no attitudes, and they know their jobs ... the locations are all great to work with, friendly and Orlando has the look of anywhere we need to duplicate ... We love it here. We will be back in 2010."

Industry satisfaction is important and translates into increased business for the region. In fact, film permits are being processed in increasing numbers by the EDC's Film & Entertainment Commission. Here are a few recent examples:

• TV Commercials - Jackson Hewitt, Olive Garden, US Census
• Television Series - Forensic Files, Dr. G: Medical Examiner, MTV's 16 & Pregnant
• Feature/Independent Films - Touching Lives, Overlap

Up next? The EDC's Film and Entertainment Commission heads to Sundance Film Festival in January to promote Orlando as a location for independent films, and to Washington, D.C. for the Reel Screen Summit to promote Orlando as a site for non-fiction television production.

On the Legislative front, the EDC's Legislative Committee will support our Film Commission's efforts to advocate for incentives designed to keep Florida competitive as a film industry hub. The main push this year is to turn the state's film incentive into a tax credit, which is the industry standard in the U.S.