 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Workforce Florida Weekly Update 11-21-06 |
CONTENTS The State & RegionsMike Switzer, Workforce Florida Vice President of Programs/Performance Unit is retiring! After more than 30 years of service with the State of Florida, Mike Switzer, 2005 Workforce Champion, is retiring. A reception in Mike’s honor is planned in conjunction with an open house at the new Workforce Florida offices located at: 1580 Waldo Palmer Lane – Suite 1, Tallahassee, FL 32308. The open house will be Thursday, December 7th from 2:00p.m. – 5:00p.m with a special retirement ceremony for Mike at 3:00p.m. We would like to present Mike with a book of messages from people he has met along the way. If you would like to send a message to Mike to be included in the book, please email Helen Jones, at hjones@workforceflorida.com by Thursday, November 30, 2006. Crist Names Administration Leaders. TALLAHASSEE – Governor-Elect
Charlie Crist, today announced George LeMieux as Chief of
Staff for his administration. Crist also announced the appointments
of four deputy chiefs of staff, general counsel, director
of Office of Policy and Budget and deputy budget director. “I
am pleased these outstanding individuals have accepted the
call to public service,” said Crist. “I know
they will represent the people of Florida with honor and
integrity.” Crist Announces Additional Citizen Review Group Leaders - Groups to report on opportunities and challenges within state agencies. TALLAHASSEE — Governor-Elect Charlie Crist yesterday announced the five additional of nine total Citizen Review Group leaders that will spearhead an agency-by-agency fact-finding mission aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges within each operation. Each Citizen Review Group will gather information on individual agencies for the purpose of reporting the findings to Crist and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Jeff Kottkamp. Among the information gathered will be: administrative policy, legislative priorities, budget and funding priorities, organizational issues and federal law and policies. The Citizen Review Groups consist of individuals from both the private sector and public service and will represent Florida’s diversity. These individuals are volunteering their time to this transition period for the betterment of Florida. Like the Crist Transition Team members announced since his election, Citizen Review Group members will sign the Transition Code of Ethical Conduct. For the complete press release including the list of the Citizen Review Group Leaders go to: http://www.cristtransition.com/news/2006/11/20/crist-announces-additional-citizen-review-group-leaders/. For a complete list of Crist Transition Team Members, visit www.CristTransition.com. Governor Bush announces expansion of Office Depot
global headquarters. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush today
applauded the announcement by Office Depot to build a new
corporate headquarters facility in Boca Raton. With the expansion
of this business unit, the Florida-founded Office Depot expects
to create 430 new jobs and invest at least $210 million in
facility construction ($180 million) and new equipment ($30
million). “I am honored to recognize Office Depot’s
longtime commitment to Florida, the state where it first
established roots in 1986," said Governor Bush. "While
this fine global corporate headquarters would be welcomed
anywhere, I am distinctly proud Office Depot chose South
Florida to foster its future success. We greatly value the
company’s presence, economic contributions, and corporate
citizenship, and I look forward to its ongoing success in
the Sunshine State." Office Depot, a home grown Florida
business, opened its first store in Fort Lauderdale in October,
1986. Today, Office Depot is a Fortune 150 Company with annual
sales of nearly $15 billion and 50,000 associates around
the world. Office Depot sells to customers in 42 countries,
either directly or through affiliates. The company operates
more than 1,100 hundred retail stores in North America and
another 323 company-owned, license, or franchised stories
in others parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and
Latin America. Office Depot’s distribution channels
include stores, direct mail, contract delivery, business-to-business
electronic commerce and Internet sales. With $4.2 billion
in online sales during the last twelve months, Office Depot
is one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers. “The
creation of a new global headquarters marks a significant
milestone in Office Depot’s history,” said Chairman
and CEO of Office Depot, Steve Odland. “It symbolizes
not only our growth – from a company operating a single
store in South Florida to a $15 billion enterprise serving
customers in 42 countries – but also our commitment
to the local community that gave us our start.” The
Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
worked with the Palm Beach County Business Development Board
and Enterprise Florida, Inc., to encourage this important
expansion project in South Florida. www.myflorida.com. AWI releases Florida's employment/unemployment report for October 2006. Florida’s unemployment rate in October 2006 was 3.1 percent, down slightly from the previous month and down 0.4 percentage points from 3.5 percent a year ago. Job growth in October continued to be strong, as the state added 219,300 jobs over the year, growing at 2.8 percent, nearly twice the national rate. The national rate of growth was 1.5 percent for the same period. Florida's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2006 of 3.1 percent was 1.3 percentage points lower than the national rate of 4.4 percent. Job growth by sector was led by Professional and Business Services (+64,200 jobs), Education and Health Services (+32,000 jobs), and Leisure and Hospitality (+29,200 jobs). The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Miami Beach MSA led the state in employment growth (+47,200 jobs, +2.0 percent), followed by the Orlando-Kissimmee and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater MSAs with over-the-year job growth in October 2006 of +37,200 jobs and +27,200 jobs, respectively. In October 2006, Walton County had the lowest unemployment rate at 2.0 percent. Madison County was the highest at 7.4 percent. Access the complete report at: http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf. New Fox television drama to be filmed in Florida. TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush today announced that the pilot for Fox Television's new one-hour drama, “Burn Notice,” will begin filming Tuesday, November 28 in Miami. The pilot is expected to employ more than 150 Florida residents during its 17-day shoot. If the pilot is picked up, it can lead to 20 or more episodes a year filmed in Florida. “Burn Notice” was attracted to the state in part by Florida’s Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive, which rebates a portion of expenditures paid to Florida cast, crew and vendors. “We are pleased to welcome this exciting new television series pilot to Florida,” said Governor Bush. “The film and entertainment industry is a vital component of our economy, and we are committed to growing the sector and attracting more productions to our state in the future.” The “Burn Notice” pilot is being produced for the USA Network and will star Jeffrey Donovan. It will be directed by Jace Alexander and produced by Jeff Freilich from a script written by Matt Nix. The line producer is Miami’s Terry Miller. "Burn Notice," which is expected to spend nearly $3 million in Florida, is about a spy recently fired by the Central Intelligence Agency who uses his Special Ops training to help others in trouble. It will feature many signature Miami Beach locations, as well as additional locations in and around Miami. “This project will have a significant economic impact on the local community and offer the opportunity for millions of people around the world to see more of the beautiful city of Miami,” said State Film Commissioner Paul Sirmons. "We've made a real effort to pursue television projects to keep our well regarded crew base living and working at home in Florida." For additional information on filming in Florida, or other incentive programs offered to the film and entertainment industry, please visit the Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment at www.filminflorida.com, or call toll-free 877-352-3456. Located within the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, Governor’s Office of Film & Entertainment develops, markets, promotes and provides services to the state’s film and entertainment industry. VA Announces Grants for Homeless Programs in Florida. WASHINGTON – Homeless veterans in Florida will have greater access to assistance, thanks to a $20,150 grant awarded to The Transition House Inc. of Kissimmee and a $267,489 grant awarded to Carrfour Supportive Housing for operations in Miami Beach by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Only through a dedicated partnership with community- and faith-based organizations can we hope to end homelessness among veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “Florida veterans answered their country’s call to serve during its greatest times of need, and now some live without shelter. This grant will help them get back on the road to self-reliance.” The Transition House will operate a van to provide transportation to homeless veterans in Kissimmee. This van will allow veterans to obtain access to services such as job training and referrals, as well as mental health and substance abuse treatments within the community. Carrfour Supportive Housing will receive the grant to acquire and renovate buildings at 8500, 8520 and 8540 Harding Avenue in Miami Beach where services such as job training and referrals, as well as mental health and substance abuse treatments will be offered. The grants for these projects are among 52 grants recently announced by VA worth nearly $11.6 million to public, private non-profit and faith-based groups for programs assisting homeless veterans. This latest round of grants brings the number of community-based beds to more than 10,000, provided by public and community non-profit and faith-based organizations with VA funding in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. VA has the largest integrated network of homeless assistance programs in the country. It is the only federal agency that provides substantial one-on-one contact with the homeless. In many cities and rural areas, VA social workers and other clinicians conduct extensive outreach programs, clinical assessments, medical treatment, alcohol and drug abuse counseling and employment assistance. http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/index.cfm WorkSource and partners launch First Coast Veterans
coalition. WorkSource, the regional workforce board, today launched
First Coast Veterans—a coalition of civic, government
and military organizations dedicated to centralizing resources
and information for area veterans. The announcement came
at a morning press conference at the WorkSource Career Services
office in the Gateway Mall.
First Coast Veterans showcased a new Website—www.FirstCoastVeterans.com—that will link Veterans and their families to important resources in an easy-to-use, centralized way. The organization also collected the information within a Veterans Resource Guide that will be distributed broadly throughout the community. The Resource Guides will be available at all 13 WorkSource locations, including those on FCCJ campuses, beginning November 21st. In addition to WorkSource, coalition members include the City of Jacksonville, the Cornerstone division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Florida, the US Department of Labor, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Florida Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Administration (VA). “Jacksonville is proud to be a military town,” said Mayor John Peyton. “The men and women who dedicate their lives to serving our country also play an important role in our local community. The program announced today is one way that the government, civic groups and military advocates can join together to give back to the veteran community and make it easier for them to access the information.” Bruce Ferguson, President and CEO of WorkSource, added, “Many communities provide Veterans services, but this coalition creates one of the few organizations in America that integrate multiple partners across a region. It is one more example of the First Coast leading the way as a place where military men and women serve their country, and upon completion of their service, settle down with their families. We’re so fortunate to have them in our community.” www.FirstCoastVeterans.com. The NationKeys to Career Success: New Web Site Provides Access to Workforce Information and Services to Assist Military Service Members and Veterans Transition to Civilian Careers. With its official debut at the National Veterans Employment Summit on November 9, the Department of Labor’s “Keys to Career Success” website provides quick and easy access to workforce information and services to aid military service members and veterans transition to civilian careers. http://www.careeronestop.org/militarytransition/. NASWA’s Workforce Bulletin Headlines for 11/17/06:
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities and NoticesFor additional information go to, visit the External Grant Opportunities page.Featured Opportunity:(none) State Grants(none) Federal GrantsBusiness Enterprise Grant Program Applications for Feasibility Studies or Marketing Studies Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program Preapplications for Technical Assistance for Rural Transportation Systems Transition Services that Lead to Competitive Employment Outcomes for Transition-Age Individuals With Blindness or Other Visual Impairments 2007 National Consumer and Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) Statewide Family Network Grants 2007 Small Business Innovative Research Program (SBIR) Phase
I Foundation GrantsCreate Your Own Legacy After-School and Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program Scholarships/Awards2007 Summer Research Training Opportunities for Students Executive Nurse Fellows Program 2007 Coming Up Taller Awards Program Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website. November 29, 2006 November 30, 2006 Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
November 30, 2006 Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2006 December 2 – 5, 2006 December 4-7, 2006 Odds and EndsCouncil on Competitiveness Releases Competitiveness Index (from SSTI Weekly Digest for November 20, 2006). The U.S. has stimulated export-led growth around the world while continuing to attract the largest share of foreign direct investment, according to a new Council on Competitiveness report, Competitiveness Index: Where America Stands. The total stock of foreign direct investment in the U.S. is now $1.6 trillion, about twice that of the next largest recipient and more than six times as much as China. Between 1986 and 2004, the U.S. received more annual flows of foreign direct investment than any other country in the world. However, this expansion has been funded primarily through rapidly increasing foreign debt, coupled with high consumption and a return to federal budget deficits, the report cautions. Such imbalances should raise warning flags for the future of American competitiveness and global economic stability, which the study discusses in depth. The report benchmarks two decades of U.S. economic data against emerging global economies. It confirms the U.S. has among the highest levels of productivity and standard of living, making it the most globally competitive among the world’s large economies. With the tremendous economic growth the country has generated over the past two decades, nearly doubling gross domestic product since 1986, the U.S. remains the world’s largest economy. The U.S. had a 3.1 percent growth rate between 1986 and 2005, the report indicates. This growth rate outpaced that of other major economies, such as the European Union (2.4 percent) and Japan (2.1 percent). Standard of living in the U.S. also remains the highest among major nations, the report states. Disposable incomes are up 37 percent and average household wealth is up 61 percent since 1986. While the Competitiveness Index makes no specific recommendations, it highlights several key issues critical for America’s future competitiveness. Adequately educating the workforce is identified as a serious area of concern. The report notes that 21st Century American prosperity depends on improved education as globalization alters the criteria for competitiveness. It cites data that show people with higher levels of education in the U.S. have seen rapid increases in income and wealth. Households headed by people with less than a college degree have seen their incomes fall on average over the past two decades. Unlike in past decades, higher-order thinking and knowledge will trump industrial-age efficiency as traditional skills are becoming less relevant, the report concludes. The future also will require workers to be more adaptable because of the dynamic churn of jobs, companies and entire industries. The Council on Competitiveness is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy action group focusing on U.S. competitiveness and economic leadership. Competitiveness Index: Where America Stands is available for purchase at http://www.compete.org. Lt. Governor Jennings highlights Florida’s new emergency
contact information system. TALLAHASSEE— Lt. Governor
Toni Jennings today joined officials from the Florida Department
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and Florida Highway
Patrol to highlight Florida’s new emergency contact
information system. Available to all individuals with valid
Florida driver licenses and identification cards, the new
system allows Floridians to voluntarily provide emergency
contact information online. Law enforcement officers have
immediate access to this information in case of emergencies.
During today’s event, Lt. Governor Jennings entered
her emergency contact information into the system. “Taking
just a few minutes to enter this information online provides
peace of mind and the knowledge that loved ones and close
friends will be only a phone call away if needed,” said
Lt. Governor Jennings. “I encourage all Florida residents
to participate in this innovative new program.” NeighborWorks Campaign for Homeownership Approaches $6 Billion
in Mortgage Lending - From SOUTHERN COMPASS -- NOVEMBER 21, 2006:
Quote for the Week:“As
we express our gratitude, John Fitzgerald Kennedy |
