August Economic Updates

02Aug

August Economic Development Updates

Bonds approved for Harder Hall restoration, new businesses locate at Sebring Regional Airport, upcoming business events and more. Catch the latest updates in our August newsletter.

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AUGUST 2018

MEETINGS & WORKSHOPS

SBDC Starting Your Business

6 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 16
South Florida State College Building H, Room 110
Fee: $ 10.00
Register 863-784-7405
(CRN 10750)

You’ve got the idea. Now you need to know how to get on your way. Starting Your Business is a class that teaches just that. From how to determine feasibility and legal structure to the type of license you will need, this class covers the essentials that will help you get started. Full details here.

Monthly Webinars Offered by SBA and SCORE

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, offer a variety of free webinars and trainings to strengthen businesses and help them succeed. Topics in August explore types of business entities, Google tools for businesses, how to boost local search results, 10 small business loan types and how to qualify, and more. View the full schedule here.

Dominican Republic Trade Seminar with Enterprise Florida

8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, August 16
USF Muma College of Business - Tampa

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is presenting a series of trade seminars to help Florida small and medium-sized businesses learn about doing business in the Dominican Republic. The seminars are held August 14 through 17.

The session is held in support of EFI’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic, November 13 to 16. The Dominican Republic holds vast opportunities for Florida companies focused on the Caribbean market. Florida exported approximately $3 billion in merchandise to the Dominican Republic in 2017. Full details here.

NEWS & UPDATES

HIGHLANDS COUNTY CELEBRATES ANNUAL CALADIUM FESTIVAL
In July, Highlands County celebrated one of its prized home-grown products at the annual Caladium Festival in Lake Placid, FL. Lake Placid is the Caladium Capital of the world as +95% of the world's caladiums originate in this charismatic town, which has also been noted as "America's Most Interesting Town" by Readers Digest Magazine. Highlands County is located on the Florida Ridge, which is the highest area of Florida. This and the many abundant natural resources throughout make Highlands County an ideal location for agricultural businesses. Watch this interview with Happiness Farms for more.

BONDS APPROVED TO SUPPORT HARDER HALL RESTORATION AND EXPANSION
The Highlands County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) approved the issuance of industrial revenue bonds to support the renovation and expansion of the historic Harder Hall property in Sebring. Read more here.

THREE NEW BUSINESSES LOCATE AT SEBRING AIRPORT
Sebring Airport has announced three new businesses that are locating at the 2,000-acre industrial and commerce park. Businesses include DUC Hélice Company, a French company that specializes in the design and manufacture of carbon composite aircraft propellers; SEPROVISA USA Corporation, an aircraft painting and repair company; and Sport Flying USA, Inc., a flight training company. Read more here.

AMERIJET EXPANDS STAGED FLEET AT SEBRING AIRPORT
Amerijet recently added to its staged fleet at the Sebring Regional Airport. The company is an American cargo airline headquartered in Miami, Florida. It operates all-jet cargo services to destinations in Central America, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. See a series of videos showing the jet's arrival in Sebring.

COUNTY AND STATE DISCUSS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and other state officials joined with the Highlands County community to discuss ways to advance economic development in the community. Read more here.

LOCAL COLLEGE RECEIVES DONATION FROM FLORIDA HOSPITAL TO CREATE NURSING FACULTY POSITION
Florida Hospital Heartland Medical Center, the county's largest employer, donated $75,000 to South Florida State College (SFSC) to fund additional nursing faculty and expand the program to meet a critical need for nurses in the region. With the demand for nurses expected to rise by 20 percent over the next 10 years, those who obtain nursing degrees from SFSC have a 100 percent job placement rate. Many students obtain jobs before graduation day. Read more here.

COLLEGE EARNS PRESTIGIOUS GOLD STATUS FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
For the second year in a row, South Florida State College (SFSC) earned gold status for 2018-19 from the Florida College System (FCS). Of the 28 FCS institutions, SFSC was among only five to earn gold. Read more here.

FLORIDA SEES JUMP IN JOB GROWTH
Florida moved from worst to first in a new federal survey of job creation recently released. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Florida had a net gain of 214,372 private-sector jobs in the last three months of 2017. It was the largest net gain of jobs by any state, according to the federal data. Read the full story here.
View local job statistics here.