2011 Legislative Agenda
Tuesday, March 8, begins the first day of the 2011 Florida Legislative Session. This year, the First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA), in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF), will be focusing on some key initiatives that will benefit manufacturers across the State and those considering doing business in Florida. On January 24 and 25, a delegation from FCMA joined other local manufacturers associations in Tallahassee to lay the ground work with key legislators and the Governor’s office.
FCMA’s top priority this year is the Capital Investment Bill. Thanks to our local State Representative Lake Ray, House Bill 905 Tax Refund Program for Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Businesses has been introduced for consideration by the Florida Legislature. Under Florida’s current program, businesses are incentivized based on a certain number of high-wage jobs created within the State. Depending on that number of jobs, the business will be reimbursed on a portion of taxes that the new venture will pay to the State. FCMA and MAF are requesting the State not only provide incentives for a certain number of jobs created but also provide the same opportunity for incentives based on a business’s capital intensive investment through the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) incentive program. This would allow those businesses, who may not be able to provide the required number of jobs at a high-wage, but are able to provide a large capital investment and new tax revenue for our State to be able to benefit through the reimbursement of a portion of the new revenue that business will create for Florida. Senator Jeremy Ring from Broward County is the sponsor of Senate Bill 1436, the companion bill for this issue that must also be approved by the Florida Senate.
Some of the other issues FCMA and MAF will focus on include:
- International Trade
- Technical assistance for small business manufacturer’s who want to enter, or expand in, international markets.
- Port infrastructure investment and expansion in order to meet the greater need for port capacity, container storage, and superior port access which will ultimately draw more manufacturers to Florida and create more jobs.
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates
- Unemployment Taxes
- Water Quality Regulations
- Continuing Manufacturing Sales Tax Exemptions
- Research and Development Programs
FCMA will be traveling to Tallahassee during the legislative session on April 5 and 6 to meet with key legislators. This will be our opportunity to advocate on behalf of issues affecting Manufacturers in North Florida and across the State. There is still time to register to attend if you are interested in participating. Please click here or contact Debbie Warren for additional information on how to sign-up. I look forward to seeing you in Tallahassee!
Welcome to…
Air Centers of Florida
Contact: Stephen Hortz, System Integration
Phone: (904) 219-3982
5570 Florida Mining Blvd, Ste 210, Jacksonville, FL 32257
…Supplier of Ingersoll Rand Compressed Air Systems and Baldor Generators.
Sponsor: Bill Barnes, Vac-Con
Gen Group USA
Contact: Paul Coppedge, Manager
Phone: (904) 356-5077
1926 Spearing Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206
…manufactures a wide variety of engineered spreader beams, C Hooks, Fork Lift Attachments, Gripping Tongs, Sheet lifters, and other below the hook lifting devices.
Sponsor: Ron Raymond, JC Renfroe & Sons
Sticky Fingers
Contact: Tina Williams, Catering Sales & Marketing Manager
Phone: (904) 242-2837
8129 Point Meadows Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256
…specializes in “Southern Hospitality” and can accommodate groups of any size (10 people to 5000) and budget.
Sponsor: Wanda Fort, Aflac
Learn how the Internet can help your business grow in 2011 and beyond.
Presenter: Nelson Bruton, Interchanges
Where: Golder Associates (9428 Baymeadows Road, 5th Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32256)
When: Thursday, March 3, 2011, 7:30AM-9:30AM
Cost: $35 Members / $50 Non-Members
Includes continental breakfast
RSVP: E-mail Amanda or call (904) 296-9664
Our first Members Only Networking Event for You (M.O.N.E.Y.) for 2011 will be held at the Jacksonville Suns Ball Field (301 A Philip Randolph Boulevard Jacksonville, FL 32202). It will be on March 10 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, entry will cost $5 and all money collected will be put into a special drawing. You could WIN BIG!
Thank you to our sponsors!
Please join us for an interactive discussion of the status of health care reform.
Presenter: Laura Miller Andrew, Smith, Gambrell, & Russell
Where: Golder Associates (9428 Baymeadows Road, 5th Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32256)
When: Wednesday, March 30, 2011, 7:30-9:30AM
Cost: $35 Members / $50 Non-Members
Includes continental breakfast
RSVP: E-mail Sherri or call (904) 296-9664
Mark your calendars for our annual lobbying trip during the Legislative Session! We will be walking the halls April 5 and 6. If you have not had the opportunity to visit our state capitol, please consider joining us.
Hole in One! As part of its commitment to workforce education, FCMA is a strong supporter of the UNF’s Engineering School. Proceeds from this event funds FCMA’s UNF Engineering scholarship.
Mark your calendars for FCMA’s “21st Annual GOLF OUTING” being held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at St. Johns Golf & Country Club. Click here for more details.
March 28 at Jacksonville Aviation Authority
Join us on March 28 from 4:00-6:00pm at Jacksonville Aviation Authority, located at Cecil Field in Jacksonville. JAA is a quasi-governmental agency which was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to manage and develop the community’s publicly owned aviation facilities.
Stay tuned to the website, newsletter, Community, and your e-mails for more information about this meeting.
A special thanks to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards for hosting our February 28 meeting. BAE operates both new construction and repair shipyards in Jacksonville, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama. The Jacksonville area yard (formerly known as Atlantic Marine) has served both commercial and military customers for over 40 years year and have built well over 200 vessels of up to 4,000 tons.
2010 Excellence in Manufacturing Awards
FCMA announced the winners of the 2010 “Excellence In Manufacturing” awards at a special luncheon at University of North Florida on February 22…
Manufacturer of the Year (Large)/Founders Service/Economic Impact Awards – Swisher International, Inc. for its continued contributions in 2010, for its long-term support FCMA, its mission, and its members, and for its continued large scale capital investment in plant and equipment to maintain its international competitive position.
Manufacturer of the Year Award (Mid-Size) - Goodrich Engineered Polymer Products (EPP) for it’s contribution to the local economy and strong emphasis on education extends to tuition reimbursement and scholarships for employees and their children.
Manufacturer of the Year Award (Small) - Pal-King Pallets, Inc. for improving the environment through product development, continuing education of its workforce, and its strong commitment to improving its neighborhoods.
Associate of the Year – Aerotek for being active in a number of community events, being committed to the environment, maintaining relationships with local educational institutions.
Environmental Protection Award – Vistakon, division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. for promoting community environmental initiatives. Environmental stewardship is part of the credo of this manufacturer. In 2010, it received JEA’s Environmental Stewardship Award and Earthwards Award for its conservation efforts.
Workforce Education Award – WhiteWave Foods for launching a major Six Sigma awareness training for all employees and external training programs that were conducted on a variety of activities, including visits to sister facilities in three states.
Photos of Winners (Click on image to view larger)
A Special Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!
February was Manufacturing Month
In all six counties of the Northeast Florida region, February was officially declared as Manufacturing Month. Representatives from FCMA met with the St. Johns, Putnam, and Clay Commissions, as well as, Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton where the resolution was signed and presented (pictured below that order). The Nassau and Baker Commissions signed the resolutions and sent them to FCMA. The month of February is when FCMA recognizes manufacturers located throughout Northeast Florida for their achievements in areas that include economic impact, business and operational efficiency, increasing employment, protecting the environment and contributing to the community’s welfare through the donation of volunteer time or funds.
Click here to read all of the proclamations.
WorkSource Update Workshop
Bruce Ferguson with WorkSource gave us the insight to Incumbent worker training program requirements, the types of grants to apply for, what’s available and when, statistics on employment versus unemployment, and where we are as a state on moving upward from this recession. This was a very timely and well-attended workshop. We look forward to the next update he will share with our group.
This month the Government Relations Committee met at the Clay County Commission offices. The Honorable Wendell Davis gave the Committee a special presentation about issues in Clay County. Several other members of the Clay County Commission and other area governmental offices were also in attendance.
Professional Progress kicked off its 15th year with a reception at Deerwood Country Club. To see class participants, visit FCMA’s EHS Committee webpage.
Advanced Disposal Services… hired Lynne Graley as operations analyst.
Aerotek… is pleased to announce that Joe Durkin, MBA has been promoted to sales Account Manager. Joe is the Chairman of FCMA’s Community Relations Committee.
Also, Aerotek has been named to the 2011 Best of Staffing Client List, which recognizes the top staffing firms based on their customer service and their clients’ satisfaction with them.
Aflac… Supplemental Insurance Agent, Wanda Fort has been named the 2011 Small Business Leader of the Year for the North Council with the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Wanda is very involved in FCMA as an active member of our Membership Committee and also volunteers on the Golf Tournament committee.
Alternate Energy Technologies… was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal and in the Florida Times-Union.
Constangy, Brooks & Smith LLP… promoted Heather Owen and Margaret Zabijaka to equity partner and Gary Wheeler to partner.
Fleet Readiness Center Southeast… Environmental Sustainment Team has been recognized as the 2010 Chief of Naval Operations Environmental Award Winner.
FRCSE also named Gary Aube has been named the Environmental Pacesetter of the Quarter, Third Quarter CY-10.
Click here to read an article on FCMA’s visit to FRCSE in January.
Georgia-Pacific Corporation… Putnam County’s largest employer, providing 1,000 jobs, was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal. Click here to go to the article.
Golder Associates… promoted Andreas Wagner to office manager of its Jacksonville office. Neil Hancock stepped down as office manager and resumed his role as Florida director of business development.
Henry’s Hickory House… makers of Bubba Burgers, was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Daily Record. Click here to go to the article.
Jacksonville Port Authority… new executive vice president, Roy Schleicher was featured in an article in the Jacksonville Business Journal. Click here to read.
JAXPORT CEO Paul Anderson announced securing $10 million in state funding for dock repairs and called on the community to help the port realize its full potential.
JEA… and Duke Energy Corp. have signed an agreement that gives the publicly owned Jacksonville utility the option to buy up to 20 percent of the electricity generated at a planned nuclear plant in South Carolina.
Paramount Performance Marketing… was listed in as the number 4 printer in Jacksonville by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Rayonier… hired William Manzer as vice president, manufacturing operations.
Ring Power Corporation… has been named a Badger Crane dealer in Southeast U.S. The dealership agreement entitles Ring Power Crane to sell and service Badger rough terrain cab-down cranes as well as Little Giant truck-mounted and crawler cranes throughout North and South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
Rogers Towers… hired Samantha Alves Orender as an associate in the commercial litigation department.
Sauer, Inc… supported two charities this year – The Wounded Warrior Project and The HUGS project. The response was overwhelming from Sauer employees.
Also, Sauer is pleased to announce the recent addition of Charles Bratcher as superintendent, Doug Wilson as estimator, Eugene “Sonny” Moody as general construction manager, Clay Hunsberger as general superintendent, Kyle Harvey as project manager, and Cate Vreeland as administrative assistant.
Suddath… hired Jamie McDaniel as director of operations and business development.
Wachovia… said it will hire an additional 20 personal bankers in the Jacksonville area in 2011, and a total of 67 new personal bankers throughout the North Florida region.
- Westside beltway project stalled out - “State attempts to have a section of toll road built, investors shy away.”
- Embraer: Jax facility ‘just the beginning’ - “The 50 jobs Embraer plans to add to Jacksonville and the $4 million it will invest in the area if it’s awarded the needed defense contract is just the beginning.”
- Nuclear, natural gas will power Florida’s future, panel says - “State and local energy leaders discussed Florida’s future regarding renewable energy, nuclear power and carbon emission legislation at a Feb. 1 breakfast hosted by the Jacksonville Business Journal.”
- Hollingsworth: ‘We’re running the City on the cheap’ - “Another high-level City leader has voiced concern about Jacksonville’s financial status when it comes to low taxes.”
- U.S. Manufacturing Activity Hits 2004 High - “Employment also rose 2.8 percentage points, to 64.5%, climbing above 60% for only the third time in the last decade.”
The Truth About U.S. Manufacturing
“The average American factory worker today is responsible for more than $180,000 of annual output, triple the $60,000 in 1972.
“Is American manufacturing dead? You might think so reading most of the nation’s editorial pages or watching the endless laments in the news that “nothing is made in America anymore,” and that our manufacturing jobs have vanished to China, Mexico and South Korea.
“Yet the empirical evidence tells a different story—of a thriving and growing U.S. manufacturing sector, and a country that remains by far the world’s largest manufacturer.”
Click here to go to the article.
