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More Than $136 Million Invested in Broward by Businesses in Past 12 Months
Company Movement, Expansion Highlights Broward Alliance Annual Meeting
| Source: Ambit Marketing Communications
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - October 7, 2009) - Six companies created more than 1,000
new jobs, helped retain 450 others, and resulted in more than $136 million
being invested in Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County during the past
year, according to figures released by The Broward Alliance at its
annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale.
The businesses -- Florida Heat Pump/Bosch, Midnight Express Boats, Solar
Transportation Solutions, Point Blank Solutions, S&B Industry Foxconn
Technology Group and Research in Motion -- were among a group of nearly 700
companies that were provided services by the economic development
organization (www.browardalliance.org) during its 2008-2009 fiscal year.
"We attracted new companies to Broward, supported local businesses with
workforce training and education, and provided information on sources of
capital and economic stimulus funds," said Ray Ferrero, president of Nova
Southeastern University and outgoing chair of The Broward Alliance. "The
investment made in research during the past year underscored our region's
competitive edge and will continue to pay dividends moving forward."
Ferrero provided a recap of results and accomplishments before turning the
gavel over to Peggy Nordeen. The CEO of Fort Lauderdale-based Starmark
International will lead the Alliance's Board of Directors in the year to
come. "The
competition for relocating companies and retaining the businesses we have
is fierce. We will lean more heavily than ever before on the intellectual
and real capital of the private sector to help attract industry and
research clusters that will grow our economy," said Nordeen.
James Tarlton, president and CEO of The Broward Alliance, praised the
leadership of Ferrero, Nordeen, Executive Committee and board members,
citing a recent organizational restructuring and the introduction of
task-oriented councils. "These councils target specific audiences, so our
message is personalized and relevant. It is a more efficient structure and
has allowed us to concentrate on specific areas of importance to the
community," said Tarlton.
The annual meeting and luncheon drew a crowd of more than 350 business and
community leaders to The Westin Fort Lauderdale. Attendees also heard City
Furniture Co-founder and President Keith Koenig speak about leading in
turbulent times and received copies of the 2009-2010 Economic Sourcebook, a
guide to doing business and living in Broward County.