Title: Webinar: “Partnering with Your Power-Company for Clean Energy”
Location: Webinar
Link out: Click here
Description: Power-companies play a big role at the community level by providing the energy that runs our homes, businesses and way of life. Decisions about energy sources and services provided by utility companies have significant effect on the environment, public health and local-economies. A growing number of communities these days are seeking new ways to be green and sustainable, and working with utility partners is a high-impact way to do so. This Webinar will look at how communities and power-companies can engage in a joint mission to tap clean energy sources, boost energy efficiency, create green jobs and bolster area-economies. Learn from a panel of national and state experts about energy options and cooperative strategies for green results.

Presenters:
·Karl Rabago, Vice President, Distributed Energy Services, Austin Energy – on innovative examples from a municipally-owned Texas utility that is one of our country’s clean-energy leaders, with a focus on partnerships between a local community and its power company to deploy energy efficiency and renewable energy resources that are clean, affordable, and reliable
·Barry Moline, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association — on how to … and how not to … approach your local power company on the topic of clean energy; plus, an overview of Florida’s municipal utility clean-energy achievements and innovations
·Pegeen Hanrahan, Registered Professional Engineer; Principal of Community and Conservation Solutions, LLC and Former Mayor of Gainesville, Florida — on how Gainesville Regional Utilities became a national leader in renewable energy and energy efficiency
· Jennifer Clymer, Senior Associate, ICF International (Energy, Environment & Transportation department), US Department of Energy Technical Assistance Program advisor –on noteworthy options & models from across the country

To hold your space: http://www.energysmartplanning.org/Webinars.html … then simply-click-the-link you receive to join-us live.
Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2011-11-16
End Time: 12:00

Each year the First Amendment Foundation offers a series of one day training seminars.  These Sunshine Seminars provide an overview of Florida’s public records and public meetings requirements in an informative and interactive format.  The seminars are helpful for anyone who uses public records as well as for agency employees who are required to stay current on the law. Additionally, all attendees receive a Government-in-the-Sunshine Manual, which contains the most current public records and public meetings law information.

This year the League of Women Voters has graciously agreed to co-sponsor the series of seminars. The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public policies through citizen education and advocacy. Members of The League of Women Voters will enjoy a special rate of $15 to attend the Sunshine Seminars.

2011 FAF Sunshine Seminar Agenda

8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Registration

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws: Open Meetings and Public Records by Barbara Petersen, President, First Amendment Foundation

12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch (On your own)

1:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Florida Media Law Presentation by Members of the Florida Bar Media & Communications Committee

Locations and Dates:

Panama City-9/20/2011

Tallahassee-9/22/2011

Orlando-9/26/2011

Fort Myers-9/27/2011

West Palm Beach-9/28/2011

Daytona Beach-9/29/2011

Jacksonville-9/30/2011

Rates:

First Amendment Foundation Members $10

Non Members $25

Students (with valid ID) $10

League of Women Voters Members $15

These seminars have also been approved for 0.70 CMC Experience Points with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks

The First Amendment Foundation has also applied for continuing education credits from the Florida Bar, the Florida Association of Court Clerks, and Florida Certified Investigators. Please check our website for updated information.

Register early, space is limited! Please log onto www.floridafaf.org to register online or download a registration form.

There will be 3 Redevelopment Academy certification courses offered in conjunction with the FRA annual conference in October.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Redevelopment 101 (core course)

Operations & Capacity Building (core course)

 Friday, October 21, 2011

Redevelopment Incentives (elective)

Please go to http://redevelopment.net/member-services/certification/ to download the application/registration packets.

Have you heard the buzz about the Florida Eight and wondered what it was? Read below for more information and don’t forget to visit their website: www.floridaeight.com

WHAT IT IS:

The Florida Eight initiative provides regional teams with a variety of facilitation services and resources to build their regional capacity for economic development, talent development, job retention and international business opportunities—all priorities outlined in Governor Rick Scott’s 7-7-7 Jobs Plan. Through Workforce Florida’s investment—and consistent with its mission to strengthen the state’s business climate through talent development—this initiative provides research, marketing and other resources to up to eight regional teams as they establish and implement business development plans.

WHERE IT IS FOCUSED:

The initiative supports the economic development regional model used by Enterprise Florida and the Florida Economic Development Council and recognizes the local and regional differences in a large state such as Florida. To that end, regions have the flexibility to form custom teams beyond the outlined boundaries. Regions serve as economic catalysts by collaborating to attract, retain and grow businesses. By allowing the eight regions to form teams for coordination and partnership, based on their respective industry and talent needs, The Florida Eight provides a great deal of flexibility to ensure the teams can best identify how to advance their economic and workforce priorities and interests.

THE TEAMS:

Regional Business Teams (RBTs) are flexible, but need to include regional workforce boards and economic development organizations, and extend into necessary partners like higher education, regional partnerships and other enterprises with strong stakes in bolstering regional capacity. Participation in the initiative is voluntary.

THE TIMING:

Planning for The Florida Eight initiative began in 2008 as a recommendation stemming from a Southwest Florida demonstration project, also funded by Workforce Florida. The Florida Eight project officially kicked off in April of this year, when the first of three team application periods began. The program runs through July 2012 to apply and develop regional plans. Also worth noting is that the regional strategic plans that result from this initiative allow for sustainability and a plan of action that will yield benefits to participating regions for years to come.

WHAT IS HAPPENING SO FAR:

Regional teams are still being formed, but regional teams in key parts of Florida have already begun meeting and developing their plans. A few highlights:

• Northeast: The June 9 kickoff meeting focused on priorities including how to better communicate to incumbent companies; supporting companies with an important role in target industry clusters; and addressing skills gaps and business recruitment needs for the region. The next meeting is scheduled for October.

• South Central: This region understands that talent development is a critical component of successful regional capacity. The team is using the Florida Eight initiative to develop a Marketing plan that links to the regional strategic plan. The plan will also include solidifying target industries or further developing target industries. The first meeting is August 8.

• East Central: Led by the Central Florida Partnership, this team is using Florida Eight to extend its current “Open for Business” initiative to improve business recruitment, economic diversity and retention.

• North Central: Led by the North Florida Economic Development Partnership and Workforce Connection, this team submitted its application Aug. 1. The team will conduct an inventory of economic development resources in the region, and will use its findings to develop a plan that addresses key areas including rural business’ talent and marketing needs; and recruiting skilled workers.

• Tampa Bay: The primary interest of this team is to develop a cross jurisdictional strategic plan to address issues and innovative solutions to business retention, economic diversity to include international trade. The team’s first meeting was July 29.

• Southeast: Led by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, this team kicks off its work on Aug. 19. Already, team partners have identified a number of priorities to address, including promoting and marketing business retention and expansion resources; expanding international outreach; and ensuring new businesses in the region have the support needed for optimal job growth.

Download Florida Eight Document

Title: 35th Annual Basic Economic Development Course
Location: Tampa

Start Date: 2011-10-31
End Date: 2011-11-03

Description: In its 35th year, the USF Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) is part of the required curriculum to qualify for the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) exam.

It’s Florida’s only BEDC accredited by the IEDC and is offered once a year through USF College of Business. Class size is limited. Early registration is recommended. Sign-up and review course outline at SBDCtampabay.com.

2011 Proposed Course Outline for Basic Economic Development Course

Title: MAF Safety Conference – Achieving Safety Excellence in an Ever-Changing Economic Climate
Location: Tampa Florida
Link out: Click here
Description: Crowne Plaza Tampa East
10221 Princess Palm Avenue
Tampa, FL 33610

Start Date: 2011-09-15
End Date: 2011-09-16

The conference will cover all aspects of safety in the manufacturing business. Registration will include meals, materials and all the information you can absorb!

Registration for the MAF Safety Conference “Achieving Safety Excellence in an Ever-Changing Economic Climate” is now open.

Accidents are devastating to families, your workforce, your reputation, and your business.  Join fellow safety professionals sharing their best practices on Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16 in Tampa, FL at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East, 10221 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL to gain fresh ideas and perspectives on this important topic.

Our expert speakers are from some of the most safety-committed companies in Florida: SeaWorld,  Wal-Mart, Knight’s Armament, Think Reliability, SWS Environmental, Mosaic Co. and more. Safety regulators will be speaking too.

This no-frills, value packed, brief conference, is bound to benefit you and your company and is reasonably priced at $250!  Sponsorships are available at $500 which includes one registration or you can sign up to exhibit which includes one registration for $550.  Click here to register, sponsor or exhibit at the event or by calling Becky Buice (850) 402-2954.  It is as easy as a phone call!  

Title: Addressing the Major Medical Challenges of Today with Personalized Medicine: Cancer, Diabetes and Brain Injury
Location: 2011 Bio International Conference
Link out: Click here
Description: Personalized medicine promises to deliver more effective diagnostics and treatments for complex and increasingly common diseases such as cancer, diabetes and traumatic brain injury. Hear about progress being made in these areas by Florida experts.

Moderator:
• Dr. Karen Long, DVP Medical, Clinical and Regulatory Affairs,
Abbott Laboratories

Florida Speakers:
• Dr. William Dalton
President/CEO & Center Director, Moffitt Cancer Center and
Founder, M2Gen
• Dr. Carlos Santos, Chief Scientific Officer
Accentia Biopharmaceuticals / Biovest International
• Dr. Leslie Molony, Senior Director, Business Development
Sanford – Burnham Medical Research Institute
• Dr. Jackson Streeter, CEO
Banyan Biomarkers
Start Date: 2011-06-27
End Date: 2011-06-30