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Nov. 16 |
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EDC New Investor Reception |
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8:30 - 9:30 a.m. |
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EDC-Capital Plaza II, Downtown Orlando |
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click image for more info |
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DON'T FORGET!
As you go to the polls, the EDC recommends that you vote
YES on
AMENDMENT 2. |
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CONGRATULATIONS! |
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EDC Leaders Shine as “Businessmen of the Year”
Hats off to Fred Leonhardt, EDC board member and
GrayRobinson partner, who was named “Businessman of the Year” by
Orlando Business Journal at an award reception held at the
Westin Grand Bohemian on Thursday evening. Leonhardt was recognized for his career of service to the community and the state. Other honorees included EDC Board Chairman Al Weiss,
Walt Disney World and EDC Investors Jim Seneff,
CNL; Ken Bradley,
Florida Hospital Winter Park; Clarence Otis,
Darden; John Caparella,
Gaylord Palms; Frank Ioppolo and Orlando Evora,
Greenberg Traurig; Tom Chandler,
SchenkelSchultz; and Alan Keen,
Keewin Real Property Company. |
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UCF Small Business Development Center has been recognized by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) with that organization’s 2004 award for top community program in an area with population greater than 200,000. |
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EDC TRAVEL |
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EDC
Business Development team members traveled to the U.K. to participate in InterTech 2004 where they discussed Orlando’s Digital Media industry with English and Scottish companies/organizations. |
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EDC BBQ Bash Draws Record Crowd |
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An estimated 600 people took off their ties (well, most did!) and gathered on the edge of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando for the EDC’s 2004 Barbecue this week. Drawn by the promise (and smell) of the area’s top fixin’s, community and business leaders were not disappointed as six local vendors pulled out all the stops to win the coveted “Best Barbecue” award. So, who did attendees pick? Bubbalou's Bodacious BBQ! Rounding out the winner’s circle were Blackwater Bar-B-Q in second place and South'rn Red Smok'r in third place. However, attendees agreed that all of this year’s BBQ participants – including Cecil's Texas Style BBQ, Conway's BBQ and Smokey Bones – were “A Grade.” |
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UCF Grant To Strengthen Local Photonics Industry |
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Most university grants are used to conduct research or add faculty, but what happens when more space is needed? Faced with this exact situation, UCF’s College of Optics and Photonics this week found the solution in a $1.5 million grant awarded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The grant application process started almost three years ago when the EDC’s Kate Saunders met with local photonics industry leader, Jeff Bullington. Together, they began hashing out a plan to apply for grant money designated for “distressed communities.” Based on the severe impact of 9/11 terrorist attacks and the tech bust on Metro Orlando’s photonics industry, Saunders and Bullington surmised that our region fit this category. They also reasoned that adding more laboratories, where local start-up companies could work side-by-side with UCF students and faculty, would help this sector recover. After countless hours working with UCF to develop a grant proposal, the team celebrated success!
This week, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development David Sampson presented a check to university representatives that will add 24 new UCF photonics research laboratories. UCF officials estimate that this project will help create 265 jobs, retain 123 additional jobs, and generate up to $47 million in investments from businesses. Great news for UCF, our local photonics industry and for all of us in Central Florida. Congratulations to everyone involved!
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Local Casting Company Grows Nationally |
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On the heels of its successful involvement in casting independent feature film
Monster, which was filmed entirely in Metro Orlando, as well as an outstanding achievement award from the Casting Society of America for work on this project, local casting agency Kimberly Mullen/Mark Mullen Casting Inc. has gone national. This week, the company announced plans to open offices in Miami Beach and New Orleans. The
Monster experience, which included 31 principal cast members from Central Florida and resulted in an Academy Award for lead actress Charlize Theron, inspired the Mullen’s to expand their business. They will continue to market local and statewide talent, now on a broader front. |
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Get in front of prospective business partners!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to present at the
Fast & Furious – Partnering Conference! Only 40 companies will be selected to |
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present – make sure you don't miss your opportunity to be one of them. Selected companies will receive two minutes and 30 seconds to present their firm's products, services and the type of partnership they are seeking.
The conference will be held on January 12 at the Lakeland Center in Lakeland. For more information, click here. To apply, click here. |
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