Broward County Welcomes PharmaGo/Rx to the West Park Enterprise Zone

Broward CountyCommissioner Barbara Sharief (second from right) joined West Park Vice Mayor Felicia Brunson (far right) in welcoming PharmaGo/Rxto the Broward County Enterprise Zone.

PharmaGo/Rx, a registered and licensed pharmacy, openedearlier this​ yearinside the Deal$ Store located at 1959 S. State Road 7 in West Park, one of seven cities in Broward County with an Enterprise Zone. Enterprise Zones are specific geographic areas targeted for economic revitalizationthatoffer tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating withinits boundaries.

This concept store, designed to provide pharmaceutical care in a convenient setting,is the nation’s first Deal$ location to host a pharmacy. The Office of Economic and Small Business Development began working with PharmaGo/Rx last year and will continue to assist them in making connections with local health care businesses and community partners. The pharmacy has already made a significant investment in the West Park community and plans to hire six full time pharmacists.

For additional information on the Broward County Enterprise Zone program and other economic development services, call 954-357-6400 or visit broward.org/EconDev.

UPDATE: Trade Mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil

Brazil mission follow up meeting.

In May, the Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development hosted nine localfirms as a follow up activity to the Governor's Mission to Brazil held last year. This meeting, conducted in partnership with Enterprise Florida, was designed to support the firms in building on the relationships established during the original visit to Sao Paulo. Attended by then Broward County Mayor Suzanne Gunzburger, along withCounty staff from OESBD, Port Everglades and the Transportation Department, the purpose of the mission was to develop new business leads with prospects interested or ready to locate or expand operations in Broward County and foster the growth of the County's small businesses.

The participants were addressed by OESBDstaffand Fabio Yamada, managing director of the Enterprise Florida office located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Yamada conducted a presentation and individual counseling sessions.

Art Bond, CEO of Bond Building Systems, said the original mission to Brazil was “a great opportunity for gaining first hand insight into potential for business as a whole.” Bond stated that he was able to make several connections within the Brazilian construction industry and hoped to eventually begin exporting his bond building systems to Brazil. He attended the follow up session hoping to reinforce his opinion of doing business in Brazil gleaned from the trip.

Brazil is a major player on the world stage as the upcoming host of two major international sporting events - the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. For any Broward County firm interested in exploring opportunities in Brazil, now is the perfect time to get started. ContactOESBD for information on how to expand your firm’s reach into the international marketplace.

Port Everglades and OESBD Partner on "Keys to the FTZ" Event

Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness presents "World Trade Month" proclamation to Port Everglades CEO / Director Steve Cernack during the "Keys to the FTZ" event.

Approximately 25 firms were enlightenedwithtips to tap
into international markets, including market intelligence
and commercial diplomacy. Symposium speakers included Deborah Wilkinson, addressing the importance of the Broward County Trade Desk and Alan Hill,who provided an overview ofFTZs.

"These types of symposiums are important to our manufacturers and international customers as they grow their export markets," said Wilkinson.The symposium provided the knowledge many small- and medium-sized businesses need when exploring opportunities overseas. OESBD and Port Everglades are working with all event participants to expand their businesses into the seaport. OESBD is also planning future meetings to discuss new business opportunities for FTZ No. 25.

Last year, $13.3 billion in exports were shipped through Port Everglades -the highest of any seaport in the state. For more information on Port Everglades and FTZ No. 25, visit porteverglades.net.

Broward County FirmReceives Export Achievement Award

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (second from left) and Miguel Olivares (far right) congratulateVincent and Marcy Colangelo (far left and second from right).

Duringan annual small business workshop presented by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award was presented to Weston-based Headroom Limited, Inc., maker of the BooBooLoon-an inflatable, pet recovery collar being exported to 11 countries. The BooBooLoon was invented by Marcy Colangelo who owns Headroom Limited,a certified woman-owned business,with her husband, Vincent.

Presented by Miguel Olivares,the award recognized Headroom Limited as a success story in exporting. "We know that exporting requires an investment intime and resources," said Olivares. "We recognize and honor those companies that have worked with us and have successfully exported as a result."

"Broward County is a great place to have our business," stated Mr. Colangelo noting that the firm has received assistance from many local service providers and makes every effort to use Broward County vendors. New to exporting,theColangelos attended the annual workshop in 2010 and connected with the Department of Commerce via itsU.S. Commercial Service, the export promotion branch of the U.S. Government. The firm also worked with OESBD staff to explorefunding resources.

In two years' time,Headroom Limited lists Holland, the United Kingdom, Canada and Spain as its top export countries.ContactOESBD for information on its annual export seminar series and international traderesources.

ECONOMIC ENGINES

Visitors Bring Big Bucks
The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates more than $11 million will be generated during July by groups convening in Broward County, including theFlorida Police Chiefs Association SummerConferenceand the L'Oreal ParisMatrix Education Mid-Year Training.Groups anticipated in August include the American Tennis Association's 2012 Annual Tournamentand the Florida League of Cities Annual Convention, both with more than 1,000 attendees expected. For more information onBroward's hospitality industry, visit sunny.org.

FLL Expands with FLLAIR
Earlier this year, the Broward County Aviation Department celebrated the groundbreaking of the South Runway Expansion Project at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), a $791 million endeavor. The South Runway expansionisone third of the FLL Airport Improvements and Renovations (FLLAIR) project, which also includes land acquisitions and the replacement of Terminal 4 Gate. The projected economic impact of the entire South Runway project is 10,822 construction jobs and $1.42 billion.For more information on FLLAIR and to see illustrations, project maps and the Quarterly Update Presentation, visit fll.net.

Governor Signs Bills to Benefit Port Everglades and Ports Throughout Florida
Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca and Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director Steven Cernak were presentas Governor Rick Scott signed transportation bills SB 1998 and HB 599 into law during a special ceremony. Both transportation bills contain critical funding for seaports and language creating an expedited hearing process for environmental resource permits. Governor Scottnoted these bills willallow for Florida ports to become top in the world creating economic development by encouraging foreign trade.

Port Everglades is the world’s second busiest cruise port and one of the nation’s leading container ports. More than 160,000 Florida jobs are impacted by Port Everglades, which supports approximately $15.3 billion in economic activity. For more information on Port Everglades, visit porteverglades.net.

STATE & NATIONAL

State Releases June 2012 Employment Figures
For the past 23 months, Florida's annual job growth rate has been positive. As of the end ofJune2012, the state'sseasonally adjusted unemployment rateheld at 8.6 percent for the second consecutive month. Seasonally adjusted rates make allowances for seasonal events impacting employment such as tourism, holidays and agricultural and school schedules. The May and June unemployment rate marks the state's lowest since December 2008 when it was 8.2 percent.

TheJune 2012 unemployment rate -down 2.1 percentage points from the June 2011 rate of 10.7 percent -is better than the 10.5 percent rate forecasted atthe December 2011 Florida Economic Estimating Conference.

As of the end ofJune 2012, six Florida industriesexperienced positive over the year job growth:

• Professional and business services gained 33,700 jobs
• Trade, transportation, and utilities gained 24,200 jobs
• Private education and health services gained 19,300 jobs
• Leisure and hospitality gained 19,200 jobs
• Financial activities gained 10,900 jobs
• Manufacturing gained 3,000 jobs

Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

DID YOU KNOW?
As of June 2012

• Broward’s unemployment rateis the lowest in its metropolitan statistical area (MSA) with counterparts to the north (Palm Beach) and south (Miami-Dade) weighing in at 10.3 and 9.2 respectively.
• The Broward County metro area gained more jobs over the year in manufacturing (+1,100 jobs) and financial activities (+1,400 jobs) than any other metro area in the state.
• The Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach metropolitan division tied with the Tallahassee MSA (Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon and Wakulla) for having the state's fourthlowest unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) behind the Gainesville MSA (7.3) and the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin MSA (6.1).Broward County'sJune 2012 unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) of 7.7 percent was 0.7 percentage point lower than the national rate(8.4 percent) and 1.3 percentage points lower than the state rate (9.0 percent).

Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

2012 Economic Census is Approaching, Your Response Makes A Difference to Accessing Data You Can Use
This fall, millions of businesses – including many in Broward County – will receive 2012 Economic Census forms from the U.S. Census Bureau. Most businesses with four or more employees will receive acensus form. The Economic Census is the government’s official five-year measure of American business and the economy. Responses are confidential and required by law.

Called “indispensable to understanding America’s economy” by Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke, the Economic Census originated in 1810. Bernanke remarked that the Economic Census “assures the accuracy of the statistics we rely on for sound economic policy and for successful business planning.”

Responses to the Economic Census are compiled and used by businesses for planning and to support key decisions such as identifying potential markets for growth and applying for loans. Federal, state and local agencies, trade and industry associations and chambers of commerce also use the data for reporting and economic development. To see sample Economic Census forms and to view facts about the business climate in Broward County from the last census in 2007, visit business.census.gov.

Source:U.S. Census Bureau

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ordinance Updates on the Horizon
The Business Opportunity Act of 2004 and the County Business Enterprise Act of 2009 are currently being revised to allow for more business participation. The resulting enhanced ordinance should increase the eligibility of small business firms participating in County contracts. Look for changes in the coming weeks.

Local Businesses Eligible for Disaster Relief Assistance
Broward County is one of 12 Florida counties included in a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster area declaration following frost and freezing temperatures that occurred January 3-16, 2012. The declaration provides for working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of all sizes to meet their ordinary and necessary obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. The application filing deadline is December 20, 2012. For more information, call the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Center at 800-659-2955.

New Broward County Courthouse Website Provides Project Updates
A new Broward County Courthouse is underway in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The 20-story, 741,000-square-foot structure will be built on the current site of the judicial parking garage, just west of the Main Courthouse building. Demolition of the garage is expected to begin August 24. For the latest project updates and information on the project scope, history, timeline, maps and renderings, visit the new courthouse website. To stay connected, subscribe to the Courthouse Construction Update eNewsletter or follow the project on Twitter.​​