Florida News Straight From the Source
Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) today announced $1.4 billion for the reconstruction of the I-275/SR 60 Westshore Area Interchange in Tampa. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis and FDOT Announce $1.4 Billion Westshore Area Interchange Construction Project
Governor Ron DeSantis will make a major announcement in Tampa, Florida on Wednesday, January 30th, 2019. [Read more…] about Governor Ron DeSantis to Make Major Announcement in Tampa
Governor Rick Scott today announced that ecommerce restaurant supply company WebstaurantStore, Inc. has chosen to expand in Tampa with a new office that will create more than 300 new jobs and include $1 million in capital investment. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: WebstaurantStore to Create 300 New Jobs in Tampa
Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Tampa Bay area added 30,500 new private-sector jobs in the last year, creating the second-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. [Read more…] about Tampa Bay Area Keeps Growing, Ranks Second for Job Creation
Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested Jesus Riol, 45, of 8619 Cottonway Lane, Tampa, on 100 counts of child pornography and 5 counts of transmission of child pornography.
During an investigation launched in the Fall of 2017, agents identified a residence in Tampa suspected of distributing child pornography. A subpoena was issued for the account and further investigation showed several file names consistent with child pornography. Upon executing a search warrant at the home, investigators conducted a forensic analysis of several electronic devices and found more than 1,100 files containing images or videos with child pornography. Most of the files were of infants and toddlers being sexually abused by adults.
Riol was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail on a $787,500 bond. He will be prosecuted by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
TAMPA, Fla. — Today, Governor Rick Scott announced that the Tampa area added 28,400 new private-sector jobs in the last year, continuing to create the second-highest number of jobs among all Florida metro areas. The Tampa area also continues to rank first in the state in demand for high-skill, high-wage STEM occupations with 14,839 openings in November. Tampa’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.6 percent, down 1.0 percentage point from one year ago. Statewide, Florida businesses created 13,900 new jobs in November and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent, the lowest rate in more than a decade. Since December 2010, Florida businesses have created 1,465,800 new private-sector jobs.
Governor Scott said, “It is great news that the Tampa Bay area, like the rest of the state, continues to have strong economic growth with more than 28,000 new jobs created over the year. It is clear that Tampa Bay continues to be a great place for businesses to grow and create jobs.”
The industries with the highest growth over the year in Tampa were:
The Tampa area remained first among the state metro areas in job demand in November with 44,792 openings.
In the last year, 199,000 people entered Florida’s labor force, a growth of 2.0 percent. This rate is nearly three times the national labor force growth rate of only 0.7 percent. In November, 16,990 Floridians were placed in jobs by CareerSource Tampa Bay and the state’s other 23 local workforce boards.
To view the November 2017 employment data visit www.floridajobs.org/labor-market-information/labor-market-information-press-releases/monthly-press-releases.
As Floridians continue the recovery process after Hurricane Irma, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is partnering with Tampa Bay news station Fox 13 to host a live phone bank to assist Floridians with their insurance questions, concerns and complaints. The phone bank will take place Thursday, November 16, from 7:00–10:00am EST. During that time, Floridians can call the station at 1-800-826-4434 to speak one-on-one with an insurance specialist working for the Department. The Department will also answer questions posted to Fox 13’s Facebook account (@Fox13TampaBay).
CFO Patronis said, “Our Department boasts some of Florida’s foremost insurance experts, and we’re taking every available opportunity to help Floridians as they move through the insurance claims process. If any consumer is running into a roadblock, I encourage them to give us a call to see how we can help.”
The Department of Financial Services also operates Florida’s only toll-free Insurance Consumer Helpline, which is available year-round. During the third quarter of 2017, insurance specialists working the Helpline recovered more than $9.3 million for Floridians. Returns consist of underpaid or previously denied insurance claims, as well as overpaid premium amounts that were refunded due to intervention by the Department on the consumer’s behalf.
Governor Rick Scott today announced that Siemens and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation have chosen Hillsborough County as the headquarters location for their new joint venture, Advanced Airfoil Components. The Advanced Airfoil Components manufacturing facility will lead to the creation of 350 new jobs with a capital investment of approximately $139 million. Siemens and Chromalloy evaluated multiple states before ultimately choosing Florida as the best destination for this new headquarters.
Governor Scott said, “I’m proud to announce that Siemens and Chromalloy chose Florida as the best place to start their new joint venture that will create 350 new jobs for families in the Tampa area. We have fought to make Florida more business-friendly by permanently eliminating the sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment, so Florida manufacturers like Siemens and Chromalloy can invest more in our state. With the $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, we can ensure our economy will continue to grow so families can succeed in Florida.”
Siemens, a global engineering and technology leader, and Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation, a global engine manufacturer, have formed Advanced Airfoil Components to support manufacturing and producing components that will maximize gas turbine performance. Advanced Airfoil Components will hire workers for a range of skilled positions, including technical engineers, manufacturing technicians and production workers. This facility will be leasing 210,000 square feet at Tampa Regional Industrial Park and is scheduled to open in late 2018. Siemens already has approximately 5,200 employees in Florida.
Siemens USA CEO Judy Marks said, “Siemens is very pleased to make additional investments in the I-4 corridor, where we already have more than 5,000 employees. We’re a global company that is proud to be ‘U.S. local,’ with over 60 manufacturing sites across the country. This joint venture with Chromalloy streamlines our supply chain and ensures we have the most advanced technologies as we pursue performance gains for our gas turbines.”
Chromalloy President Carlo Luzzatto said, “With two existing manufacturing facilities in the Tampa area, Chromalloy is excited to continue our investment in the community and to support technical and professional job growth in Florida. This is a strong market for technical candidates, and we are looking forward to identifying highly skilled individuals to support this new, innovative energy business.”
Florida is one of the nation’s top 10 states for manufacturing. Home to over 19,000 companies that employ more than 331,000 people, Florida’s diverse manufacturing industry produces everything from aerospace products, batteries, food and beverages, communications equipment, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, boats, and more. In 2016, Governor Scott championed the permanent elimination of the sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment so Florida manufactures can invest more money in growing their businesses and creating new jobs.
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, Hillsborough County, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “This announcement is exciting news for Tampa-area families. We are proud that Advanced Airfoil chose Florida and is planning to create hundreds of high-wage, high-tech manufacturing jobs in Florida’s I-4 Tech Corridor.”
Chairman of the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Stacy White, said, “We are excited to welcome Advanced Airfoil Components to Hillsborough County and thank them for their investment in our community. The addition of hundreds of skilled manufacturing jobs is great news for local families. We are confident that the quality of our workforce and the responsiveness of our colleges and universities to the industry’s evolving training needs will help Advanced Airfoil Components thrive here for decades to come.”
Chairman of the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation and President of Hillsborough Community College Dr. Ken Atwater said, “The strength and diversity of our manufacturing sector is encouraging more globally renowned corporations like Siemens and Chromalloy to choose Tampa and Hillsborough County. Advanced Airfoil Components’ success in our market will have a positive impact on our region and help shape our economic future. We look forward to assisting them as they establish roots in our community.”
Enterprise Florida board member and President and CEO and Voltair Consulting Engineers Julius Davis said, “Florida attracts high-tech companies from around the world, and with a qualified workforce and robust infrastructure, it is clear why Siemens and Chromalloy chose Hillsborough County as the location for Advanced Airfoil Components. The 350 new jobs and investment into our community are a direct result of business-friendly policies championed by Governor Rick Scott.”
Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a global powerhouse focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of systems for power generation and transmission as well as medical diagnosis. With approximately 351,000 employees in 190 countries, Siemens reported worldwide revenue of $88.1 billion in fiscal 2016. Siemens in the USA reported revenue of $23.7 billion, including $5.4 billion in exports, and employs approximately 50,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Chromalloy has expanded from a gas turbine parts repair business into an OEM supplier of production parts and advanced repairs and services for gas turbines used in aviation and land-based applications. Chromalloy serves the airline, military, marine and energy segments with a broad range of services at locations around the globe. Chromalloy is authorized by the FAA and EASA and many other NAAs, and is qualified under ISO and NADCAP. Chromalloy is a subsidiary of Sequa Corporation.
Sequa Corporation is a diversified industrial company with operations in the aerospace, energy and metal coatings industries. Sequa is a Carlyle Group company. For additional information, visit www.sequa.com
Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation is the lead designated economic development agency for Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. Established in 2009 as a partnership between the public sector and private corporate investors, the EDC works to develop and sustain a thriving local economy through the attraction, retention and expansion of high wage jobs and capital investment within targeted industry sectors. The EDC exists because of the generous support of more than 100 corporations, the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.
Hillsborough County, Florida is the commercial and industrial heart of Tampa Bay. The fourth largest county in the state of Florida, Hillsborough is home to nearly 1.3 million residents, with thousands more arriving each year. Its strength is drawn from being one of the most advanced economies and having one of the most educated workforces in the state. Hillsborough County and its three municipalities –Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace – offer a competitive business environment and an abundance of regional assets including Port Tampa Bay, Tampa International Airport, and MacDill Air Force Base. County government is focused on creating economic prosperity for residents and businesses throughout the area.
Tomorrow, September 19th, Governor Rick Scott will visit the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to thank local law enforcement, emergency management officials and first responders for their commitment to Florida families before, during and after Hurricane Irma. The Governor will also give an update on Hurricane Maria.
WHAT: Hurricane Irma First Responder Appreciation Event, Update on Hurricane Maria
WHEN: 11:00 AM
WHERE: Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office, District 2
2310 N Falkenburg Rd.
Tampa, FL 33619
Governor Rick Scott today announced the creation of 20 new jobs at Think Anew, an information technology managed services provider in Tampa. The new building is the company’s first Florida location. The small business considered other locations, including Mississippi, but ultimately chose Tampa as the best location for their new facility.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I’m proud to highlight small business Think Anew which chose Florida as the best place to expand and create 20 new jobs for families. Florida continues to outpace the nation for job growth and our unemployment rate is at a 10-year low which is great news. In order to attract more companies like Think Anew to Florida, we created the new $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This transparent, flexible program will continue our push to make Florida the premiere destination for job creation.”
Think Anew CEO Don Glidewell said, “The excitement building around job creation and recruitment of top tier companies to the Tampa area, especially in the Health and Life Sciences sector, is undeniable. This is a reflection of not only the talent coming from the communities and universities, but also the hard work and determination of the staff at Tampa Hillsborough EDC, Enterprise Florida, and Governor Scott’s office. As a company that believes in the American Dream and supports the healthcare community by making their operations safer, compliant and more efficient, Think Anew will bring new advancements and higher paying jobs to Florida.”
The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, City of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Think Anew, LLC is a great example of our pro-growth policies coming to fruition and helping Floridians find jobs. The company will find a talented workforce in Hillsborough to fill its high-skill, high-wage STEM job openings. I am proud that Florida has created an environment ideal for business expansion and job creation.”
Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Stacy White said, “We’re pleased to welcome Think Anew to Hillsborough County and thank them for choosing our community. We recognize the tremendous value that the information technology sector contributes to our region’s economic future, and are committed to helping companies like Think Anew get the business assistance they need to thrive in our market.”
Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Chair and President of Hillsborough Community College Dr. Ken Atwater said, “Tampa is an incubator for the information technology sector – particularly those providing business-to-business service. We are confident that Think Anew will enjoy the same level of prosperity here as others that have similarly chosen to expand in Hillsborough County, including Accusoft, BlueGrace Logistics, CareSync, DAS Health, Nitro, ReliaQuest, and SunView Software.”
About Think Anew
Think Anew, founded in 2007, provides information technology services that enable efficient interaction between hardware and software for the healthcare, education and government sectors. The company offers full technical support services, including help desk; wireless, cloud and connectivity solutions; mobile device management and encryption; onsite implementation; data migration; disaster recovery and business continuity, and more. For more information visit ThinkAnew.com.
