PHOTOS NOW ONLINE!
  CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES
  FROM THE EDC'S BBQ ON THE BLVD.

Partnerships Set Central Florida Apart

Several events of the past week reinforce again why Metro Orlando is so often envied for its unique collaborations; and how the University of Central Florida has earned its reputation as a leading “partnership university”.

 
On Monday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer helped UCF Provost Terry Hickey welcome UF President Bernie Machen to downtown Orlando’s growing “Creative Village”.   Together they officially opened Citylab-Orlando, a research and teaching center from UF’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, that will collaborate with UCF faculty. The new program –

Terry Hickey, UCF Provost (2nd from left); Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (4th from left); and Dr. Machen, UF President (5th from left)

which is already involved with local urban design projects including redesigning space under Interstate 4 (dubbed “Orlando’s Bridge District”) – will be housed within UCF’s Center for Emerging Media located in the former Orlando ExpoCentre in downtown Orlando. According to Dr. Machen: “Orlando has a special place in this state and indeed the nation. What's emerging here is a new fusion of culture, commerce, imagination and industry.”

The fusion continued on Thursday, as Valencia Community College and UCF dedicated a new shared facility that allows the nation’s third largest university to further expand its offerings on the west side of Orlando.  The $23 million, three-story, 100,000-square-foot facility, located on Valencia’s West Campus, accommodates classes offered by both institutions, with more than 40 classrooms, a state-of-the-art testing center, computer labs, study rooms, faculty/staff offices and a café. With this opening, UCF now offers complete bachelor’s degrees in Nursing, Electrical Engineering, Applied Science, Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Studies and Psychology through the campus on south Kirkman Road. Valencia’s engineering programs are also housed in the building.

 
Visions@Work For Lake County

Doctor's offices throughout Lake County will be the testing ground for a new online physician referral service that could one day soon set the standard for patient referrals and monitoring.  Visions@Work – a Clermont-based company that develops custom software – has a new product called Preffer, which they have

offered free for one year to physicians throughout the county. The Preffer software has also been given to Lake-Sumter Community College for use in LSCC’s new pilot training program for Electronic Health Records Support Technician.

Believe it or not, paper referrals are still the norm among doctors, a reality that can make tracking of patient care difficult once they are referred to a specialist.   Visions@Work's online referral service eliminates manual system inefficiencies by allowing physicians to electronically manage referrals.

With one in six workers employed in the healthcare industry, Lake County rivals other major metros known for medical services. That makes this Central Florida community an optimal testing ground for a medical advancement which could ultimately lead to cost savings, improved patient satisfaction and stronger provider relationships throughout the healthcare industry, both here and worldwide.

This unique partnership was the brainchild of the EDC’s Lake County Economic Development Advisory Council.  The Council’s Health and Wellness sub-committee identified the need to assist our healthcare community with electronic health record requirements and training that were legislated in 2004, and the Council’s marketing and workforce sub-committees helped them connect to Visions@Work.

According to Dr. Chuck Mojock, President of LSCC and Chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Council: “The project, which is funded through WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA's New & Emerging Industries Program, is a perfect example of creating partnerships that are win-win-win.  Everyone benefits from the collaboration.”

 
   In This Issue
   October 30, 2009
   What's New
   EDC Events

   Community Events
 
  Company Establishment Announcements
 
  Contract Announcements/Completions
 
  Kudos and Company Announcements
 
  EDC Investor Directory
   Contact Info: Info@OrlandoEDC.com   p. 407.422.7159

Nov 4-6   BioFlorida 12th Annual Conference
    JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
    Cost: $499 BioFlorida members;
$625 non-members
    Info/Register: click here or 561.653.3839
     
    Info/RSVP: Audriene Wolfgramm or 407.422.7159 x246
     
Nov 12   EDC New Investor Reception
    8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
    EDC Offices - Capital Plaza II
Downtown Orlando
    RSVP by Nov 11: Lisa McCormick
     
Nov 13   OBJ "Regional Update: "Spotlighting 2010 Economic Development in Downtown"
    11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    The Ballroom at Church Street Station
225 S. Garland Ave., Orlando 32801
    Cost: $50; $550 corp. table of 10
    Info/RSVP: click here or Kelly DiCristina, 407.241.2914
 

UCF graduate student, Erin Kitzinger, received the Best Director Award at LA Femme Film Festival for the microbudget digital feature film she wrote and directed, Hope for a Thorn. The film was produced through UCF’s new Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema MFA program, a unique graduate program that requires its students to finance and produce marketable films on a shoestring budget.

Loans Available to “Stage Two” Companies

Are you a small business with 10 to 50 employees and annual revenues of $1 to $25 million?  Do you need access to capital to help your business grow?

The Black Business Investment Fund of Central Florida, Inc. (BBIF) has been selected by the State of Florida to administer the $8.5 million dollar statewide Florida Economic Gardening Business Loan Pilot Program. Launched October 1st, this pilot program offers eligible companies the opportunity to receive a low interest loan of up to $250,000.  For more information, go to www.bbif.com, or call 407.649.4780. 

Funds will be available only until the loan pool is exhausted, so you are encouraged to apply quickly.

 

Nov 3   MACF: President's Dinner 2009
    Guest Speaker: Marco Rubio
    6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception
7:00 Awards Dinner
    Lake Mary Events Center
260 N. Country Club Rd., 32746
    Cost: $90 member; $110 non-member; $700 corp. table for 8 member; $800 corp. table for 8 non-member
    Info/RSVP: 407.897.3384 or macfhq@macf.biz
     
Nov 4   Advisory Board Council: "Strenghten Your Business with a No-Cost Advisory Board"
    5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
    Small Business Development Center at UCF
Disney Entrepreneur Center
315 E. Robinson St., Ste. 100, Orlando
    Info/Register: 407.420.4850
     
Nov 4-8   Orlando Film Festival
    Plaza Cinema Café
155 S. Orange Ave., Orlando 32801
    Info: www.orlandofilmfestival.com
     
Nov 5-6   Florida's 6th Annual Manufacturer's Summit
    Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport
9300 Airport Blvd., Orlando
  Info/Register: www.mafmfg.com
     
Nov 6   Trails and the Green: Economic Development and Trails Workshop
    9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    DeBary Hall, Debary, FL
  Info/Register: Tara McCue or click here
     
Nov 10   Rollins: "The Role of State Govenments in Attracting Foreign Direct Investments"
    7:00 p.m.
    Winter Park Residence SunTrust Auditorium
    Info: click here
     
Nov 10   WCF: Lake County Job Fair
    12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
   

Lake Sumter Community College Leesburg Campus
Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center, Magnolia Rm.
9501 U.S. Highway 441, Leesburg 34788

    Info: workforcecentralflorida.com or 407.531.1222
     
Nov 11   NAIOP: "Rumble Food & Wine Festival and UCF Masters Degree Program Auction"
    5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
    City Arts Factory
29 S. Orange Ave., Orlando
    Cost: $50 members; $65 non-members; $25 students
    Info/Register: www.naiopcfl.org
Nov 13   League of Women Voters: "Central Florida Transportation: Stuck in Traffic or Full Speed Ahead?"
    Speakers: State Sen. Lee Constantine; Harry Barley, METROPLAN ORLANDO; Noranne Downs and Michael Snyder, Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority; Scott Harris, Central Florida News 13
    11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    Sorosis Club
501 E. Livingston St., Orlando 32801
    Cost: $20 member; $25 all others
    Info/RSVP by Nov 11: leagueorangecounty@gmail.com or 407.894.6586
     
Nov 16   Enchant and Empower Luncheon
    Hosted by MicheLee Puppets.
    11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
    Orlando Marriott
    Cost: $50
    Info/RSVP: Nadia Garzon, 407.898.7925
     
Nov 17   "Unleashing Excellence: Creating a Culture of Ultimate Service"
    Speaker: Teri Yanovitch, author
    8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    UCF Executive Development Center
36 W. Pine Street, Orlando 32801
    Cost: $450
    Info/Register: click here or 407-235-3905
     
Nov 17   NAIOP: "Master Planning, Programming & Site Design"
    Speakers: members of the Walt Disney World Master Planning Division
    5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
    UCF Downtown Executive Campus
36 W. Pine Street, Orlando 32801
    Cost: free for NAIOP members; $20 non-members
    Info/Register: www.naiopcfl.org
     
Nov 19   Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce: "B.I.G. * Summit"
    Speaker: Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com
    9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    Hilton Orlando
6001 Destination Pkwy., Orlando 32819
    Info/Register: click here

UCF Continuing Education

Nov 2-4   AutoCAD 2008
    Cost: $675
    Info/Register: 407.882.0260, sfaehnle@mail.ucf.edu or www.ecommerce.ucf.edu/autocad
 
 
 

NAI Realvest: negotiated new seven-year lease agreement for 5,120 square feet of industrial space at the Poinciana CommerCenter West in Kissimmee. larry@larryvershel.com

Realty Capital: completed leases: 3,874 square feet in Orlando; 2,165 square feet in Orlando; 3,431 square feet renewal in Winter Park; 6,000 square feet on five acres in Kissimmee for five years; 4,800 square feet in Orlando; 1,250 square feet in Ocoee for two years; 2,760 square feet in Orlando; and 12,800 square feet renewal in Orlando; Adventist Health System purchased an existing 16,425-square-foot oncology center in Kissimmee for $2 million. rkingry@realtycapitalfl.com

 
 

Comprehensive Energy Services, Inc.: awarded mechanical construction for two Community Recreational Centers being constructed by Turner Construction and the Orlando Magic. TerryM@cesmechanical.com

C.T. Hsu + Associates: providing architectural services for new 5,000-square-foot Yalaha Community Center located between Howey-in-the-Hills and Leesburg in Lake County. carolynreis@cfl.rr.com

Keene Construction Company:  announced grand opening of newly-completed 30,000-square-foot hhgregg store at Sarasota Crossings redevelopment .  khc@crismktg.com

Source2: announced new client engagement with a Fortune 500 insurance provider at client locations in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  dnuxol@source2.com

Tri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc.:  completed $764,000 of work at new multimillion-dollar, 168-unit Hudson Ridge Apartments in Pasco County. khc@crismktg.com
 
 

Akerman Senterfitt: Ralph Losey, co-chair of firm's e-Discovery team, invited to speak at a Sedona Conference webinar with fellow panelists Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Grimm, Sedona Conference founder Richard Braman, and University of Oklahoma College of Law professor Steven Gensler. jason.bovis@akerman.com

Dr. P. Phillips Orlando Performing Arts Center: elected three new members to its board of directors: Cheryl Henry, Chuck Steinmetz and Bryce West. Michelle.Khouri@edelman.com

Kissimmee Utility Authority: 2008 annual report, Hometown Solutions, won Award of Merit in the digital category among electric utilities with gross annual revenues of $200-$399 million in a national annual report contest conducted by the American Public Power Association. CGENT@kua.com

Lake Nona Property Holdings, LLC: Lake Nona received three awards from Home Builders Association of Metro Orlando, including the “Major Advertising/Promotions Award” for its “Nonaology” campaign. Jessi@Onmessage.com

Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A.: Attorney Joaquin E. Martinez appointed to the City of Orlando Board of Zoning Adjustment; selected to represent Orange County resident William Steele who claimed Powerball® jackpot worth $189 million cash from October 14 drawing. Ioana.Good@lowndes-law.com

Orange County Public Schools: Howard Middle School selected as an AVID National Demonstration site. shari.bobinski@ocps.net

Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc.: hired Ken Barnett as director, corporate accounts development.  media@orlandocvb.com

Orlando Health: Orlando Regional Medical Center Level One Trauma Center, also known as the Air Care Team, marks 25th anniversary with installation of new communications center to continue managing rescue calls. sabrina.childress@orlandohealth.com;  Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children becomes first dedicated pediatric hospital in the world to install new Siemens CT scanner.  Siemens Healthcare’s SOMATOM® Definition Flash features the lowest radiation dose and the fastest scan speed on the market, two characteristics that make it ideal for pediatric patients. geo.morales@orlandohealth.com

Orlando Magic: pediatric patients at Florida Hospital for Children became superheroes, as they received special red capes from Superman himself, Dwight Howard, during an event announcing his $30,000 contribution for the state-of-the-art room being built in the Pediatrics unit. TWingerson@orlandomagic.com;  longtime Florida and NBA beat writer John Denton will provide exclusive Magic and NBA coverage on the team’s official website, www.orlandomagic.comGGalante@orlandomagic.com; “Topping Off” ceremony for the new Amway Center will be held on November 5 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the construction site. MCurtsinger@Orlandomagic.com

Quest, Inc.: recipient of $2,500 grant from Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation to  provide low- to moderate-income children with scholarships for therapy from the QuestKids program. jgonzalez@questinc.org

Seminole County Public Schools: 20 teachers received free rain barrels from the University Stormwater Management Academy.  marlene_baranowski@scps.k12.fl.us

Seminole State College of Florida: dedicated the 59,000-square-foot Center for PublicSafety facility, which serves as the region’s premier training facility for first responders houses the college’s Criminal Justice, Fire Science and EMT programs under one roof.  OCONNELLL@scc-fl.edu

University of Central Florida: awarded $7.5 million research grant from New York-based corporation, Prime Source Initiative, Inc., to study ways to make photovoltaic solar cells more efficient in capturing and converting solar energy into electricity, and less costly to manufacture. kjlewis@mail.ucf.edu;  MyDocHub, client company of Business Incubation Program, launched a new feature on its database that offers the same criticism and compliments for dentists. larry@larryvershel.com

WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA: presented third annual Workforce Champion Award to Randy Berridge, president, Florida High Tech Corridor Council, along with WCF Awards of Excellence to 10 Central Florida employers and four area youth at its State of the Workforce Summit. Kcornett@wcfla.com