Print a Copy - Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission

October 6, 2006Print a CopyWhat's NewEDC EventsCommunity EventsCompany Establishment AnnouncementsContract Announcements/CompletionsKudos and Company AnnouncementsOrlandoEDC.comUnderstanding Florida’s Certificate of NeedProcessMuch has been written in recent weeks regarding the process for addingnew hospital services to our community. To help better understand thisdialogue, the EDC invited Jeff Gregg, Bureau Chief of Health FacilityRegulation for the Florida Agency of Healthcare Administration, toprovide an overview of the hospital approval process. Here is what welearned:Anytime a healthcare provider wishes to establish orexpand a hospital in the state of Florida, it must gothrough an application process called Certificate of Need;often referred to as CON. This is done through the FloridaAgency for Health Care Administration, and approval isbased on a comprehensive assessment of thecommunity’s ability to support a finite number ofhealthcare services. The CON process has been requiredin Florida for over 30 years. It is necessitated by the factthat hospitals are a regulated industry whose providers arerequired to give their services regardless of an individual’sability to pay for those services. Ultimately, the CON isdesigned to ensure no excessive duplication of similarservices within the same community, thereby providingprotection for the regulated industry and the insuredconsumer.The CON process is highly analytical and is driven byinput from health-planning analysts, accountants andarchitects. The process does not move quickly; it is verytypical for a decision to take two years or longer. Throughthe course of the evaluation, input is taken from theapplying healthcare provider, as well as from industryexperts and healthcare providers already operating in theregion. Particular weight is give to comments from existingproviders who provide a high percentage of indigent carein the community.• Minorities made up the fastest-growingsegment of new home buyers in 2005, andOrlando-Kissimmee was among the top 10markets in the country for such growth.Obviously, this is a highly complex topic. Like the rest of our community,the EDC is monitoring the Certificate of Need application processclosely and trusts that what is in the best interests of our citizens willultimately be decided.For more information, click here to read a report prepared for the HealthCouncil of East Central Florida by The Lewin Group of Falls Church,Virginia. Information is also available through the American HealthPlanning Association.

Leila Jammal Nodarse, president/CEO ofNodarse & Associates, was recognizedin Florida Trend as a "Trendsetter." Alsorecognized was Laura Kelley, deputydirector of Orlando-Orange CountyExpressway Authority.MTV's GameORZ Showcase publishedthree games developed by students fromUCF's Florida Interactive EntertainmentAcademy (FIEA). Click here to view thesemade-in-Orlando games.How shall we grow? Thisquestion has been asked ofover 7,000 Central Floridaresidents since January. Theanswers are thoughtful andprovocative ... and will beunveiled during a Regional Leadership Forumon Friday, October 13, 2006, from 8:00 to 11:30a.m. at the Renaissance Orlando Resort atSeaWorld.MyRegion.org is seeking 100 volunteers toassist with facilitation and data collection duringthis event. If you are interested in helping,contact Karine.Moreau@orlando.org or callKarine at 407.835.2487.Project Hometown Supports Community VenueProjectsA coalition of Central Floridabusiness leaders announced theformation of “Project Hometown”during a kick off event at theOrange County GovernmentBuilding on Tuesday. Thisinitiative is designed to harnessgrassroots support for the effortto build and enhance threecommunity venues in MetroOrlando: Orlando PerformingArts Center, Orlando EventsCenter, and Florida Citrus BowlStadium.Established as a 501c(4) nonprofitorganization, ProjectHometown representatives willwork to educate Central Floridacitizens and elected officialsabout the educational, economic,arts, sports and entertainmentopportunities these venues willprovide to those who call CentralFlorida homeHonorary chairs of Project Hometown (from leftto right): Jim Lewis, president, DisneyVacation Club and chairman, OrlandoRegional Chamber of Commerce; CarmenDominguez, CEO, Homes by CarmenDominguez and president-elect, HomeBuilders Association of Metro Orlando; andDean Kurtz, director, Embarq Corporationand immediate past chairman, EDC.For more information, go to www.ProjectHometown.com.Metro Orlando Welcomes New Director of UCFInstitute for Economic CompetitivenessThe EDC, in conjunction with our economicdevelopment partners throughout the region,hosted a welcome luncheon for Dr. SeanSnaith, the recently named director of theThomas D. Garofalo Institute for EconomicCompetitiveness at the University of CentralFlorida. Also in attendance was Dr. Snaith’swife, Kellie. The Institute serves as the region’spremier source of economic research andinformation.Dr. Snaith brings a wealth of experience to theInstitute. Before coming to UCF, he served asSean and Kellie Snaith director of the University of the PacificBusinessForecasting Center in San Francisco. He has also worked withInternational Planning and Research, a Boston consulting firm, and withclients including IBM, Dell, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard. Dr. Snaith isa member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Survey ofProfessional Forecasters, the Bloomberg U.S. Economic IndicatorSurvey, and other prestigious forecasting associations.

Congratulations to NCS!This week, Governor Jeb Bush announced defense grant awardstotaling more than $4.2 million to 13 projects throughout the state. Theawards are earmarked to improve defense infrastructure. One of thesewent to the Orlando-based National Center for Simulation (NCS), who,in partnership with the Central Florida Research Park, has developedFEDSUN, a high-speed communications network that supports military,government, industry and academia engaged in modeling, simulationand training. This grant will allow that network to be fully installed at theResearch Park.The annual Florida Defense Infrastructure Grant Program providesfunds to communities hosting military installations. Awards are given ona priority project basis, and as budget appropriations permit.Oct 10 NAIOP: Annual Sponsors Appreciation Dinner5:30 p.m.Ruth's Chris Steak House610 N. Orlando Ave., Winter ParkInfo: www.naiopcfl.orgOct 24 2006 Regional Transportation LeadershipAwards Luncheon11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorldInfo/Register: www.golynx.com/eventsOct 10 SCC's Medical Transcription Open House6:00 p.m.Sanford/Lake Mary Campus, Bldg. J, Rm. J-111Open to the public.Info: 407.708.2445Oct 11 SBIR/STTR Grant Workshop8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.UCF's Research ParkPartnership II Bldg., Ste. 234, Rm. 208Cost: free for UCF faculty and students; $25Info: click hereRegister: Kirstie Chadwick, 407.823.3683Oct 12 CoreNet Global: Tour of Lockheed Martin LakeUnderhill Facility3:30 - 6:30 p.m.Lockheed Martin12506 Lake Underhill RoadCost: free, members; $20 non-member end users;$35 non-member service providersInfo/Register: click hereOct 12 NAIOP Luncheon11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Embassy Suites Orlando Downtown191 E. Pine Street, OrlandoKeynote Speaker: Orange County Mayor RichOct 31 WCF: State of the Workforce Summit8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Wyndham Orlando ResortInternational Drive, OrlandoKeynote speaker: Desi Williamson, author of GetOff Your Assets! How to Unleash the Power inYouCost: $25; $250 corporate 10-packInfo/Register: click here or 407.531.1200Nov 8 NAIOP: 9th Annual "Rumble in the Jungle"5:30 - 8:30 p.m.Winter Park Farmer's Market201 W. New England Ave., Winter ParkCost: $35 until Nov. 1; $40 after Nov. 1Info/RSVP: 407.774.0207Nov 11 -19Orlando Museum of Art: 20th Annual Festivalof Trees10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.2416 N. Mills Ave., Orlando's Lock Haven ParkCost: $10 adults; $6 children. Parking: $3Info: www.councilof101.netNov 16 CEO to CEO Breakfast Forum7:30 - 9:00 a.m.Citrus Club

Oct 13CrottyCost: $35 members; $60 non-membersInfo/RSVP: 407.774.0207 x103"How Shall We Grow?" Regional LeadershipForum8:00 - 11:30 a.m.Renaissance Orlando Resort at SeaWorldInfo: shelly.lauten@orlando.orgSpeaker: Craig Miller, CEO, Ruth's ChrisCost: $15 Citrus Club members/EDC Investors;$22 guestsInfo/RSVP: 407.843.1080Nov 17 Heart Gallery Gala6:00 - 10:00 p.m.CityArts Factory, Downtown OrlandoInfo: Melanie Oyler, 407.398.7349Oct 18 CEO to CEO Breakfast Forum7:30 - 9:00 a.m.Citrus ClubSpeaker: John K. Stephens, Senior VP Fifth ThirdBankCost: $15 Citrus Club members/EDC Investors;$22 guestsInfo/RSVP: 407.843.1080Oct 20 UCF Executive Briefing: InformationTechnology's Strategic Business Value inCorporate America & The Impact of BusinessIntelligence"7:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.Westin Grand BohemianCost: $120; $100 alumni, faculty and staff of UCF,USF & Community Colleges in the FHTC, MetroOrlando EDC, Space Coast EDC, NCS, SIM,SFTA & TBTF MembersInfo/Register: click hereNov 17Nov 29UCF Office of Research andCommercialization: 4th Annual Invention toVenture9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Fairwinds Alumni Center4000 Central Florida Blvd., Bldg. 126Cost: $5 students; $15 faculty/staff/alumni; $35othersInfo: www.invention2venture.orgRegister: 407.882.2448 or sschmidt@mail.ucf.edu2007 Casselberry Chamber of CommerceSmall Business Expo4:30 - 7:30 p.m.Home Builder Association Exposition Hall549 Mayo Ave., MaitlandInfo: Carlos Giraldo, Central Reservation ServiceCorp., 407.376.5368 or Larry Vershel, LVCommunications, 407.644.4142Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc.: negotiated sale of a 70,000-square-foot industrial service center in Tampa for$5,300,000. Seitz@cushwake.comGrubb & Ellis|Commercial Florida: negotiated sublease agreement for 7,632 square feet of flex space in Orlando.ann@larryvershel.comHighwoods Properties: expanded Hartman Consulting, Inc., to 8,035 square feet at Capital Plaza Two, Orlando.Tempe.Seibel@highwoods.comNAI Realvest, Inc.: negotiated new long-term lease agreement for 3,750 square feet of office-warehouse space in theHanging Moss CommerCenter in east Orlando. ann@larryvershel.comRebman Properties, Inc.: negotiated sublease for 38,800 square feet of warehouse space in Orlando Central Park and50,000 square feet of warehouse/office space in Orlando Central Park. lynn@rebmanproperties.comCanaveral Port Authority: announced that Eukor Car Carriers Inc. will provide regularly scheduled cargo service into theCaribbean. rpostellharvey@portcanaveral.orgClancy & Theys Construction Co.: awarded contract for Lake County Public Schools’ $19.4 million, 122,000-square-footelementary school in Clermont. khc@crismktg.com

Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc.: purchased ownership interest of a longtime partner to acquire full control of Cushman& Wakefield Mexico. Sheila.Seitz@cushwake.comPertree Constructors, Inc.: selected to construct the Southport Center at AIPO. The 73,00-square-foot property will bemarketed as a multi-owner, industrial condominium and is valued in excess of $2,800,000. mherbenar@pertree.comTri-City Electrical Contractors, Inc.: completed $64,000 of work at the new Eustis Middle School. khc@crismktg.comInsight Financial Credit Union: Kim Baker, payroll specialist, presented with Insight Financial’s Mission Excellence Award forthe third quarter of 2006; Bridget Jordan-Beasley appointed business services manager. kmoist@insightfinancialcu.comiplacement, Inc.: hired Charles Busterna to focus on new recruitment opportunities within the industry.RDavis@iplacement.comKissimmee Utility Authority: Internet programmer/analyst Rob Morris named a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional for2007 for the fourth consecutive year; honored with the 2006 Community Service Award by The Florida Municipal ElectricAssociation for the utility’s longstanding major commitment to addressing community needs. CGENT@kua.comNodarse & Associates, Inc.: promoted Debra R. Harrington, P.E. to environmental department manager.susanc@nodarse.comOrange County Public Schools: The Foundation for Orange County Public Schools’ annual golf tournament raised more than$130,000, which will be used to support Foundation programs that enhance student achievement – such as, Read2Succeedand the Middle School Youth Initiative, as well as provide special opportunities to meet in-classroom needs.jackiekelvington@bellsouth.netOrlando Magic: signed free agents Jackie Manuel and Kasib Powell. GGalante@orlandomagic.comShutts & Bowen LLP: twelve attorneys selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers inAmerica: Andrew M. Brumby, John H. Dannecker, Michael J. Grindstaff, Rod Jones, Bowman Brown, Gary J. Cohen, Kevin D.Cownan, Luis A. De Armas, Louis Nostro, James A. Farrell, Marshall J. Emas, and Robert J. Soriano.newsrelease@wraggcasas.comTurner Construction Company: recognized Vernice Atkins-Bradley with the company’s Peter J. Davoren Award foroutstanding service in community affairs for 2006.WELBRO Companies: honored at the Orlando Business Journal’s Golden 100 recognition luncheon as the #1 CentralFlorida privately-held construction company and #8 in the Golden 100. chall@welbro.com