Palm Beach County Business Magazine (Summer 2012) by Passport Publications

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Advancing Global Economy | PBC Economy Update | FL #2 for Business | IRBs now Available

PA L M B E AC H C O U N T Y

Summer 2012

A Quarterly Economic Development Publication

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Palm Beach County: Advancing the Global Economy From international trade to foreign investment, the county is playing an important role on the world stage.

Employment growth has stabilized this summer.

Palm Beach County Industrial Revenue Bond Program Cover Photos: Robert Stevens

An important incentive for facilitating new business investment.

News & Events Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit, Relocations and Expansions, Florida Now #2 for Business, FEDC Recognizes BDB for Marketing Innovation, Presidential Debate Comming to Boca Raton.

South County A Prime Location for Business Growth

Palm Beach County Schools Rank Among the Top in the Nation

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CONTENTS

Economy Update: Palm Beach County’s Economy Holds Steady

Welcome from the President TO OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS: Upon reading this issue of Palm Beach County Business, you will see that businesses in the region are doing their part to help reduce the nation's trade deficit. For example, Palm Beach County-based exporters Boca Bearing Company, RGF Environmental Group, Image Skincare, and Florida Crystals are capitalizing on global market opportunities and taking advantage of the region’s strategic location and transportation assets to boost their bottom line and to advance the local economy. While exports are growing, Palm Beach County also boasts robust international relationships with companies from Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Africa and many other countries that have invested here by opening national and regional offices. As international trade and foreign investment are important drivers of a vibrant and strong economy, an excellent education system plays a critical role in developing top-notch employees and future leaders. In this publication, E. Wayne Gent, Superintendent of Palm Beach County Schools, delivers evidence that our schools rank among the top in the nation. I hope you enjoy this edition of Palm Beach County Business which is published due to the support of the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners, Workforce Alliance, NextEra, Florida Crystals, and Suffolk Construction.

As we continue to further the growth of Palm Beach County’s diverse economy, we also want to express our appreciation to the County Commissioners and members for continued support.

Kelly Smallridge President and CEO

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc. 310 Evernia Street | West Palm Beach, FL 33401 (561) 835-1008 | www.bdb.org Palm Beach County’s Economic Development Resource

Published by » Passport

Publications & Media Corporation

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Palm Beach County:

Advancing the Global

Economy

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of the company’s fastest growing markets for the company’s air and water filtration and purification products, according to Ron Fink, founder and president. Another successful exporter is Image Skincare. International customers buy more than half of the Lantana company’s clinical skin-care products, according to Janna Ronert, president and CEO, who notes that her company exports to 37 countries, with a strong presence in the Middle East. From its sugar cane fields and processing facilities in western Palm Beach County, Florida Crystals exports its agricultural products to consumers in many countries. “As the world’s largest sugar refining company, international trade is an inherent part our business,” said Pepe Fanjul, Jr., executive vice president. “Apart from the fact the U.S. is the world’s largest raw sugar importer, we also have sugar processing operations in six countries across the globe. From our company’s headquarters in Palm Beach County, we monitor and analyze international markets every day to make the right decisions for our businesses.”

Photos by Port of Palm Beach

EXPORTS EXPAND OVERSEAS

llen Baum knows that Palm Beach County businesses can compete successfully in today’s global marketplace. “We focus on innovation and customer service,” said Baum, president of Boca Bearing Company in Boynton Beach. “The key is providing an added value to your customers, wherever they are.” Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, the homegrown Palm Beach County company is selling its ball bearings and related products throughout the United States, as well as Canada, Europe, Australia and China. “We serve the hobby and recreation markets, as well as medical devices power tools and other equipment on the industrial side. We have been a leader in introducing ceramic materials, which are lighter, more durable and more versatile than steel bearings.” Throughout the county, hundreds of companies are capitalizing on global market opportunities, and taking advantage of the region’s strategic location and transportation assets, including Palm Beach International Airport and Port of Palm Beach. In West Palm Beach, RGF Environmental Group opened a Beijing office two years ago. Now, China is one

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA'S NEW GRANT PROGRAM help’s small and medium-sized businesses tap into export markets. The SBA-funded STEP grant — State Trade and Export Promotion — is awarding nearly $800,000 to help Florida companies begin or expand trade in three ways: Funding company executives to go along on trade missions; funding their participation in overseas tradeshows; and partnering with Florida Small Business Development Centers to offer customized global marketing plans. Participating SBDCs at the universities of North Florida, Central Florida and South Florida will help companies perform an in-depth market analysis for the country they want to target. The company pays $500 toward the market plan, and Enterprise Florida covers the remaining $2,500.

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Robust International Connections

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From international trade to foreign investment, Palm Beach County is playing an increasingly important role in advancing the global economy. Visitors from around the world enjoy the region’s beaches, golf, boating and other attractions. Many stay on to purchase executive homes and condominiums, depending on their lifestyle preferences. Meanwhile, savvy international entrepreneurs and investors scrutinize the region for new business and investment opportunities. Palm Beach County is also receiving greater recognition on the world stage, hosting events like the Palm Beach Strategic Forum. That April 16-17 event drew more than 1,000 participants and featured a keynote address by Governor Rick Scott highlighting the state’s global business advantages. “We have to build relationships all over the world,” Scott said. “We are a leading exporter of goods and services, and we have a supportive environment for businesses to flourish.” Gil Rémillard, founding chairman, International Economic Forum of the Americas in Montreal, which organized the Palm Beach Strategic Forum, added, “There are powerful connections between Latin America and North America.” One company taking advantage of those international opportunities is SBA Communications Corp. in Boca Raton, which owns and operates cellular towers for wireless carriers. Jeffrey Stoops, president We have to build relationships and CEO, recently announced all over the world. We are a SBA was buying 3,252 towers in leading exporter of goods and 47 states and Puerto Rico, following an earlier purchase of services, and we have a 2,300 antenna tower sites in the supportive environment for U.S. and Central America. businesses to flourish.” Major multinational comGovernor Rick Scott panies from Canada, Brazil, Governor State of Florida the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa and many other countries have invested in Palm Beach County companies and established national and regional offices here. One example is G4S, a leading security provider based in the UK whose G4S Americas Regional Offices, Latin American headquarters, the G4S North America Training Institute, G4S Strategic and International Accounts as well as local West Palm Beach and Boca Raton offices are located in Jupiter. Another is Garda Cash Logistics, a Boca Raton-based subsidiary of Montreal-based Garda World Security Services. In addition to security services, multinationals are also active in Palm Beach County’s life sciences, information technology, medical devices, business services and manufacturing sectors. In addition to job-creating investment, they bring a flow of fresh ideas and practices that contribute to South Florida’s economic growth. In fact, Florida is one of the top U.S. destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI). Total holdings of firms that are at least 50 percent foreign-owned, amounted to an estimated $35.9 billion in 2008, according to Enterprise Florida, the state’s public-private economic development partnership. These firms employed some 254,000 Floridians, ranking the state sixth in the nation in terms of employment by majority foreign-owned firms.

Florida’s exports reached an alltime high of $64.8 billion in sales of goods in 2011, up 17 percent from 2010, according to Enterprise Florida. Florida held onto its position as the nation’s fourth-largest export state. About 85 percent of Florida’s exports are manufactured items, with computer and electronic products ranking first with $14.3 billion in 2011. Agricultural products account for the rest.

ECONOMY UPDATE: Palm Beach County’s Economy Holds Steady PALM BEACH COUNTY’S ECONOMY IS HOLDING STEADY at the halfway point of 2012, reflecting national trends, according to William Stronge, senior fellow at the Economic Development Research Institute in West Palm Beach and professor emeritus at Florida Atlantic University. “Employment expanded substantially early in the year, and now has stabilized,” he said. “I wouldn’t expect much change this summer, because it is the ‘slow season’ for the tourist industry.” Overall, Palm Beach County’s economy is still growing but at a slow pace. “Healthcare is strong, but the sector that has recovered the most is administrative, support and waste services,” Stronge added. Those traditional “blue-collar” jobs include landscaping and janitorial services. “These fields are closely connected to the construction industry,” he added. “Now with new developments coming along, more of those jobs are needed again.” Other rebounding sectors include wholesale and retail trade, which are benefiting from an increase in consumer spending and tourism. “In Miami-Dade, leisure and hospitality are lifting the economy out of recession,” he said. “Here in Palm Beach County, we’re likely to see a good upward trend in the visitor sector in the second half of the year.” In general, Stronge said, “There’s no question that the national, state and local economies are growing – just not as rapidly as we’d like them to grow. Assuming there is no meltdown in Europe, we can look for continued moderate growth through the rest of the year.”

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Port of Palm Beach: Gateway to the Caribbean

Photos by Port of Palm Beach

ONE OF THE KEYS TO SOUTH FLORIDA’S EXPORTING SUCCESS IS THE Port of Palm Beach, known as Palm Beach County’s gateway to the Caribbean. Because Tropical Shipping provides frequent sailings to all key destinations, many area companies have been able to grow the export side of their business – particularly for food and beverage products. “Remember that there are two types of consumers in the Caribbean,” said Manuel Almira, executive director, Port of Palm Beach. “There is a local market and visitor consumption market, including cruise line passengers.” Those passengers typically want familiar brands, as well as local products, creating a strong market for beer, soft drinks and food staples like rice, milk, sugar and cheese. Other leading exports through the port include construction materials, asphalt and diesel fuel. “We also export large numbers of automobiles to Haiti and the Dominican Republic,” Almira adds.

“That provides a nice shot in the arm for many Palm Beach County retailers.” Manuel Almira, Executive Director, Port of Palm Beach

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On the import side, agricultural products like coffee, melons, mangoes and other tropical fruit come into the Port, along with some manufactured products from countries like the Dominican Republic, according to Almira. One of the Port’s strategic advantages is its location north of Port Everglades and Port Miami, reducing overall travel times. In addition the Port of Palm Beach is the only regional seaport with an on-dock rail connection through FEC Rail. “If a cargo shipment originates in Georgia, for instance, it will be cheaper to go through the Port of Palm Beach than further south,” Almira said. “And having a direct rail line that we control is another major advantage.” Through the Port’s Free Trade Zone (FTZ #135), which encompasses all of Palm Beach County, cargo can come into the U.S. duty free, provided it eventually leaves the country. “That program is designed to help create U.S. jobs,” Almira said. “You could bring in a syrup, for instance, add a flavoring, and then send it back out to a foreign market.” For passengers as well as cargo, the Port of Palm Beach is an important Caribbean gateway. Since March 2009, The Bahamas Celebration has built a following among local residents and visitors. Last year, more than 303,000 cruise passengers went through the Port, and Almira expects an increase next year. The Black Diamond, a new gaming ship, will sail twice a day from the Port, and provide a new economic generator for the region’s visitor industry. While outbound passengers get the most attention, Almira notes that the Celebration also brings a steady number of Bahamian residents to Palm Beach County, where they spend the day shopping in local stores. “They purchase food, clothing, bicycles, mobile phones – you name it,” he said. “That provides a nice shot in the arm for many Palm Beach County retailers.”

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Palm Beach County Industrial Revenue Bond Program Palm Beach County is open for business. Among the county’s incentives and services aimed at stimulating job-growth and retention, Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) coordinated through Palm Beach County’s Department of Economic Sustainability (DES) facilitate corporate investments by targeting businesses with borrowing capabilities of a million dollars or more. Authorized by Florida Statutes and issued by Palm Beach County’s Board of County Commissioners, Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs) serve to attract businesses relocating from other areas by offering:

By Sherry Howard, Deputy Director Palm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability

exempt status for the bond, thus making the Industrial Revenue Bond a highly attractive financing option and leveraging tool. The maturity of the typical IRB can range from five to 30 years. By offering the Industrial Revenue Bond Program, Palm Beach County gains the investment and increased industrial capacity ultimately leading to job growth and a more diversified local economy. Examples of organizations that have participated in this program include Eastern Metals Supply (a manufacturer of aluminum products) and Galaxy Aviation (a fixed base operator or FBO that provides aeronautical services). The process begins with a completed application, which is available on the DES website http://pbcgov.com/edo/ programs/pbc/idrb.htm. After that, DES staff will coordinate with the county attorney’s office and the borrower’s bond counsel to induce the bond. For further information, please contact Sherry Howard, deputy director of Palm Beach County’s Department of Economic Sustainability at 561-233-3653.

Tax-exempt bond status Low interest rates* Long term maturities Low down payment with 100% financing.

Qualified businesses that are looking to expand manufacturing facilities or other capabilities through capital investment are able to assume the county’s tax-

*As with all financial securities, rates will fluctuate based on market conditions and with IRBs, the financial strength of the borrower; however, variable interest rates on IRBs typically range between 85% - 100% of prime and fixed interest rates typically fall 1% below prime.

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News Events Celebrating the Entrepreneurial Spirit SPEND A DAY “SHADOWING” YOUR CUSTOMER. FOCUS ON WHAT your customers are doing, rather than what they are buying from you. Build a company with strong core values, and “innovate or die.” Those were Jeff Hoffman’s key messages to hundreds of attendees at the Business Development Board’s June 26 luncheon, “Celebrating Entrepreneurs in Palm Beach County,” at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. “This is a great time to be an entrepreneur in Palm Beach County,” said Hoffman, a founder and former CEO of Priceline.com. “All the elements you need to succeed are in this room – talent, money, educators and the media.”

a once-dominant music retailer that went out of business when customers found it easier and cheaper to download songs from the Internet. “No one wants to buy a round piece of metal with a hole in it,” he added. “They want to wake up in the morning and hear a favorite song.” At the luncheon, Oren Tasini, co-chair of the BDB’s Entrepreneurial Committee with Jeff Perlman, said, “Our goal is to create a more cohesive entrepreneurial ecosystem – the relationships and connections that help businesses grow, prosper and succeed. I challenge each of you to make July your entrepreneur month, because innovation is the key to our region’s prosperity.” Later in the session, Hoffman moderated a panel of entrepreneurs and financial professionals who discussed their successes and challenges. The panel included: Dan Cane, president and CEO, Modernizing Medicine Mark Wylie, CEO, Flagship Solutions Group Beth Johnson, founder and CEO, Teas Etc John Duffy, founder and CEO, 3Cinteractive Matt Inskeep, founder and CEO, Baccus Global LLC Dominique McClain Barteet, CEO, Onesole Craig Grant, regional president, PNC Bank Phillip Goodman, managing director, Joseph Gunnar and Company Craig Rosenblatt, CFO, 3Cinteractive

Noting that entrepreneurship is the “art and science” of turning a good idea into a profitable business, Hoffman added that a good idea is the most powerful force in the world. But having a good idea is just the start. “Being an entrepreneur is hard work,” he said. “So, create a company with core values. That matters to today’s customer.” Existing companies need to continually go back and think about why they are in business. He cited the example of Tower Records,

Presidential Debate Coming to Boca Raton FOR THE FIRST TIME, PALM BEACH COUNTY WILL HOST A GENERAL PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION debate. On October 22, Lynn University in Boca Raton will host the third and final Presidential debate. This non-partisan event will bring in an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 members of the media. In 2008, debate viewership ranged from 52.4 to 63.2 million. Area companies can support the debate by becoming an official small business partner. For more information, contact the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce at 561.395.4433 or visit www.bocaratonchamber.com.

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Relocations and Expansions

Based in Boca Raton, ArchieMD is a growing company that integrates new technologies into health science educational applications that include 3D animation and interactive platforms for health consumers as well as health care providers and students.. These applications utilize visual and interactive techniques to convey complex medical concepts. Currently the company is developing state-of-the-art immersive environments using augmented reality, virtual environments and gaming. Hollander Home Fashions, a global company based in Boca Raton, has moved its corporate headquarters to another Boca Raton facility retaining 77 employees. The company designs and manufactures home fashions such as pillows, comforters, mattress pads and accessories. What began in 1953 as a small family business in Newark, New Jersey, Hollander Home Fashions has now become the largest supplier of bed pillows in North America. Lumitec, designer and manufacturer of marine LED lighting solutions in Delray Beach, will increase its workforce from 17 to 23. Lumitec is an engineering and design firm solely focused on the conceptualization, development, and manufacture of high-quality, extreme environment LED lighting. Lumitec does all of its design, testing, and manufacturing at its R&D headquarters in Boca. Advanced Communications Group, Inc. (ACG), a provider of customer contact solutions, will more than double its space when it moves to a new 26,000-sqauare-foot facility in Boynton Beach. The company anticipates a capital investment of $683,000 and expects to create 200 new jobs. ACG currently has 140 employees. JFK Medical Center, located in Atlantis, is a 460 bed, acute care medical/surgical facility which opened in 1966 and has over 500 physicians, 2,200 healthcare professionals and 300 volunteers. JFK will open an Emergency Services Facility this fall in the Midtown Center at 4797 PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. The 10,000 square foot center will have 40 employees and will be open 24/7 for both emergency and nonemergency patients. American Sugar Refining, Inc., the world's largest sugar cane refining company, will expand with a new 16,000-square-foot office and light industrial space in Boca Raton. The new space will allow them to establish a Global Technology and Innovation Center to contribute to the company's growth through the creation of new products, processes and packages for customers across the globe. The company expects to create 10 new high-paying jobs.

8th World Stem Cell Summit comes to Palm Beach County The Palm Beach County Convention Center will host the World Stem Cell Summit, a comprehensive interdisciplinary stem cell conference, from December 3 until December 5, 2012. The BDB will be an active participant and sees this summit as an ideal opportunity to showcase Palm Beach County's life sciences industry. Attendees from 25 countries will convene to build relationships, solve problems and chart the future of the complex world of stem cell science, regenerative medicine and cell therapies. For more information contact Alan Fernandez, Genetics Policy Institute at 650.847.1640 or alan@genpol.org.

FLORIDA IS NOW THE SECOND BEST STATE in the U.S. for business, according to Chief Executive Magazine’s annual Best/Worst States for Business survey. The magazine attributed Florida’s ranking to the combination of business tax and regulatory reforms that have contributed to the creation of more than 140,000 private sector jobs and an unemployment drop of 2.1 percentage points last year. In addition, Florida added $1 billion to K-12 educational funding, all on a balanced budget that didn’t raise taxes. The magazine surveyed 650 CEOS for its article.

Florida Now # 2 for Business

In the past three months, several Palm Beach County companies have announced expansion plans, while others are relocating to the region. In partnership with Palm Beach County, The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County facilitated these corporate expansions: ArchieMD, a health and science company that creates innovative educational software products will add 10 employees to its existing workforce of 18.

FEDC Recognizes BDB for Marketing Innovation The Florida Economic Development Council, Inc. (FEDC) recently presented the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) with three first-place awards in promotional and marketing innovation at its 2012 annual conference held June 27-29 in Tampa. The BDB received first-place awards in the following categories: Ad Campaign for its RightHere.RightNow campaign targeting out-of-state corporate headquarters External Publication for its annual business publication, Profile Magazine E-Media for its micro-site, www.HQpbc.com FEDC’s annual awards serve to emphasize outstanding marketing strategies and encourage the development of more effective marketing tools. Judging criteria included creativity, impact, quality, originality, and substance. “We are extremely proud to be recognized for the way we market Palm Beach County to businesses,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the BDB. “We updated our brand to better market the attractive business climate in Palm Beach County to potential corporate headquarters. It’s very rewarding to be recognized by our peers throughout the state as having innovative programs designed to showcase the assets of our corporate environment.”

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REGIONAL PROFILE:

South County A Prime Location for Business Growth

Boca Lagoon

Tyco

Known worldwide as a prime location for corporate headquarters, innovative information technology (IT) businesses and leading-edge life science companies, South County offers an attractive environment for business success.

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Lynn University Students

From longtime multinationals IBM, Tyco and Office Depot to relative newcomers like MiX Telematics, Palm Beach County’s southern region has an appealing combination of attributes that include: A highly skilled multicultural workforce Strong K-12 and university educational system Family-friendly communities Highly regarded healthcare and medical facilities An entrepreneurial spirit that values innovative ideas and practices “There is close collaboration between companies and universities,” said Dan Cane, CEO, Modernizing Medicine, at a recent Business Development Board panel discussion. “We have grown from two to 70 employees in two years, and are having excellent success in hiring engineers. It helps that both IBM and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) have deep roots in Boca Raton, and the cities and county have all been supportive of business growth.” South County’s combination of location, workforce and business climate appeals to companies like Tyco International, which recently moved its North American headquarters for ADT Security Services as well as Tyco’s ADT Latin America unit, SimplexGrinnell fire protection business, and corporate employees to a new facility in Boca Raton. Those advantages also appealed to a South African technology company that established its hemispheric headquarters in Boca three years ago. Today, MiX Telematics North America Inc, (whose markets range from Canada to Argentina), is a leading provider of vehicle fleet tracking and analytics systems. “Our business is growing rapidly and our workforce has increased from 20 to 40 people,” said Ken Creager president and CEO. “We benefit from the area’s trilingual workforce and technology talent.” MiX Telematics serves customers with fleets as large as 10,000 vehicles or as small as local businesses with a handful of service trucks. Its technology allows fleet managers to know how vehicles are being operated as well as where they are located. Other applications include routing drivers in the most efficient way and provide online driver safety programs. “Our goal is to increase safety on the road, decrease incidents and support green fleet initiatives,” Creager said.

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Florida Atlantic University

Key Assets For relocating and expanding businesses, South County’s key assets begin with a family friendly climate, according to Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel. “This is an easy place to integrate a new company and new families into our community,” she said. “As employers look to new business locations, they want to be sure of a good fit for their employees and families – and we certainly have that here.” Another asset is its educational system, including award-winning K-12 schools, and dynamic institutions of higher learning. FAU, Lynn University, Palm Beach State College and other institutions offer programs in business, engineering, healthcare, science and many other disciplines, and have a variety of partnerships with area employers. In addition, FAU Research and Development Park provides a home for startups and early stage life science and technology companies. In healthcare, South County is home to Boca Raton Regional Hospital, which recently launched an academic medicine program, and Bethesda Medical Center, as well as a full spectrum of medical specialists and healthcare providers. Located midway between Palm Beach International Airport and Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport, South County companies also utilize convenient Boca Raton Airport, which has two fixed-base operators and has about 78,000 departures and arrivals each year. “Airports are important to us,” said Jeff Stoops, CEO, SBA Communications, a wireless tower owner and operator based in Boca Raton. “Those connections, both domestic and international, have played a role in our success. But even more important is the wealth of bilingual population here. South Florida has the talent and skills that will serve our growth needs for the foreseeable future.”

Welcoming New Investment The region’s three major cities – Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach – welcome new investment and have taken steps to make their communities even more attractive to startups, and relocating and expanding companies. For example, all three south county cities offer incentive programs for expanding and relocating businesses.

Aerospace Technologies Group (ATG) Airspan Networks (US HQ) Biotest Biopharmaceuticals, AG (US HQ) Bluegreen Corp. (Global HQ) Campus Management Corp. (Global HQ) CareersUSA (US HQ) Garda (US HQ) Hollander Home Fashions (Global HQ) IBM Jarden Consumer Solutions MDVIP Medical Staffing Network MiX Telematics (North America HQ) NCCI (US HQ) Océ Production Printing Systems (US HQ) Oce North America (Cannon) Office Depot (US HQ) Open Peak Pace Micro Technology (US HQ) Promise Healthcare Q.E.P. Co. Inc. (Global HQ) Sargeant Marine SBA Communications (Global HQ) Sun Capital Partners (Global HQ) Successories (US HQ) The GEO Group TMS Health LLC (US HQ) TravelPro Tyco International / ADT / SimplexGrinnell (ADT Security Services, Inc.) Ulysse-Nardin Yurcor (US HQ)

South County Corporate Headquarters

Office Depot

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Delray Beach Mayor Nelson S. “Woodie” McDuffie said the city has expedited its permitting process, raised height limits along the Congress Avenue corridor and created an incentive fund to foster new businesses. “We have a very business friendly city that’s very attractive to many types of firms and companies,” he said. Those incentives helped attract the law firm of Kanner & Pintaluga, LP to downtown Delray Beach, according to Vin Nolan, director of economic development. “The firm centralized a number of Florida locations into this new headquarters,” Nolan said. “After all, we have a very appealing downtown area.” Another new initiative is the Delray Beach Innovation Corridor, Nolan added. “We are looking for creative, forward-thinking companies,” he said, “and are already seeing interest in our city.” Boca Raton Mayor Whelchel believes the city’s full-service approach, combined with a low tax rate, are among the business reasons companies choose the municipality. “We also have an incentive program and offer expedited permitting services,” she said. “Those are among the reasons our world-class community continues to attract new and expanding companies that have added more than 3,500 new jobs over the past few years.” In addition, Boca Raton is changing the land use and zoning regulations to Arvida Park of Commerce to create more mixed-use opportunities in the 1,000-acre business park. “We want to create a livework-play area that will enhance our city’s appeal for corporate headquarters and other businesses,” she said. “That’s a real advantage for today’s employers and workforce.”

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REGIONAL PROFILE:

South County Boynton Beach Offers Incentive Programs The City of Boynton Beach is offering two incentive programs: The Commercial Rent Subsidiary Program and the Commercial Interior Build-Out Assistance Program. The Commercial Rent Subsidy Program is designed to facilitate the establishment of new businesses and aid in the expansion of existing city businesses that are not located in the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). The program is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of a rent subsidy intended to help businesses during the critical first year of operation. The Commercial Interior Build-Out Assistance Program is also designed to help new businesses that are not located in the CRA. The program is designed to provide financial assistance in the form of a subsidy intended to reduce a business’s initial costs associated with the construction and interior finishing of a new or expanding location. Applicants may be eligible for up to $10,000 in grant funding to assist with the cost of commercial interior construction or renovations. The amount of grant funding is determined by the number of jobs created by the applicant. Each full-time equivalent job created is worth $5,000 in funding assistance from the city with a maximum grant award of $10,000. Businesses applying for financial assistance with the cost of interior build-out must receive City of Boynton Beach Development Department Building Division building permit approval. For more information, contact the City of Boynton Beach at 561-742-6000.

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MedUTech’s Third Forum to Focus on Education Since its launch in 2010, the MedUTech initiative has showcased innovation and growth in Boca Raton’s healthcare, education and technology industries. This November, a third annual MedUTech forum will highlight the area’s business advantages for a large national audience. “Education will be a key area of focus this year,” said Amy Allen, manager, key accounts, South Florida Business Journal. She co-founded the volunteer MedUTech initiative with Keith O’Donnell, senior managing director of Flagler Real Estate Services LLC and a director on the BDB board. The first MedUTech forum drew about 300 participants, and last year, attendance rose to 500. Noting that the region’s educational assets include Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College – as well as highly rated K-12 public and private schools, Allen said, “Our topics at the forum will include how we are creating the workforce of the future, fostering creativity, innovation and problem solving skills.” O’Donnell points to the way that technology innovations are transforming the educational landscape. “We’ve seen how the cloud can change the delivery of educational content,” he said. “That’s one of the areas that is likely to affect workforce education and training programs.” In fact, Boca Raton has a 50-year history of innovation in IT and healthcare, as well as education, said Allen. “Our goal is to create a synergy among these three areas, help make those connections and create a thriving ecosystem. While MedUTech is “Bocacentric,” Allen says the initiative is designed to foster connections that are not limited by the lines on a map. “We want the whole region to be successful,” she added. “After all a rising tide, raises all boats.” Allen added that the event will be promoted far beyond Palm Beach County through the South Florida Business Journal’s national publication network. “We plan to reach decision-makers throughout the U.S., continue to build the Boca brand and articulate just what’s so special about our region.”

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Hidden Gems in the IT Sector While the information technology/communications cluster is one of Palm Beach County’s strongest economic clusters, there are numerous hidden gems – particularly in the South County. On May 16, the Business Development Board showcased a variety of those IT companies at a luncheon event at the Boca Raton Resort & Club. “Our purpose was to shed light on the technology being developed right here in our back yard and the economic impact that this exciting industry has on Palm Beach County,” said Kelly Smallridge, BDB president and CEO. “Today, there are an estimated 11,000 people employed in this high-wage sector.” Noting that Boca Raton’s technology industry dates back to the 1970s and the birth of the IBM PC, Palm Beach County Commissioner Steven Abrams added, “We have tried to build on that legacy over the years by actively recruiting high-tech businesses to our region. Kicking off the event, executives of 10 “under the radar” IT companies gave brief descriptions of their offerings: Host.net – Lenny Chesal, CMO. “We provide enterprise cloud connectivity nationwide, including database and disaster recovery solutions. We chose Boca for its vibrant IT community and high quality of life and are building a 7,000-square-foot addition to our current building.” Forte Interactive – Slade Sundar, VP of Advancement. “We help nonprofits achieve success online, with services like event management and fundraising. We are a trusted partner offering online solutions in social, digital and mobile channels.” WaveFront Health Technologies – Michael Gregson, CEO. “We offer an online solution that allows researchers to study conditions like cancer, autism and Alzheimer’s disease in real time. CorrStat, our new research tool, helps them bring solutions to market more quickly and at lower costs. I see this region taking off in the IT sector, and that’s why I relocated WaveFront to Palm Beach County.” Flagship Solutions Group – Mark Wyllie, CEO. “We are an IBM business partner, serving mid-market and enterprise companies including banks, manufacturers and service providers. One of our areas of focus is sports, and we are a partner for SunLife Stadium and the Miami Dolphins with technologies that offer a better fan experience, shorter lines and enhanced safety and security.” GenforMax – Dr. Alex Titomirov, Chairman, CEO. “We believe the next major advancement in mobile devices will be the 3-D revolution. We have developed a product that turns an iPad into a 3-D computer, so you can watch movies in 3-D with no glasses required. We believe that Florida has a tremendous commercial future in entertainment products, as well as IT.”

Konnected, LLC – Will Damhius, CEO. “We focus on building social

media systems for businesses and leveraging these tools to improve return on investment compared with traditional advertising.” QxC Communications – John Von Stein, CEO. “We are wiring the region without wires, offering fully encrypted and backup networks for businesses including HIPAA-compliant solutions for healthcare organizations.” MedPro Software Solutions – Gokul Parthasarathy, CEO. “We are a mobile and web solution provider for medical professionals and healthcare organizations. We help organizations take advantage of the latest technologies by providing website, mobile website and mobile application development services. We chose Palm Beach County because of its pro-business environment.” KDT Solutions – Mark Kunzelman, CEO. “We provide IT infrastructure for small and medium-size businesses and municipalities. We have an environment that allows us to test technologies and solutions prior to deployment. We chose Palm Beach County for the great weather and quality of life.” Champion Mastermind – Tony Suffoletto, Director of Sales. “Champion Solutions Group (CSG) has been in Boca for 32 years and has 140 employees. Our new division, Champion Mastermind, allows IT departments to move information to our data centers, eliminating the need for on-site backup and disaster recovery. Their information can be accessed anywhere from any device with no capital investment.” The event also included a panel discussion with Jeff Stoops, CEO, SBA Communications, Dan Cane, CEO of Modernizing Medicine, and Rick Morgenstern, co-founder, president & CEO, DAT, with moderator Corey Saban of CS Media Works. Questions from the audience were posted live via Twitter.

PB 13 CB

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Palm Beach County Schools Rank Among The Top in the Nation GRADUATION FACTS 2012

Graduation rate: Graduating seniors: Attending college: Students receiving scholarships: Total scholarships:

80% 10,000 92.8% 5,087 $76 million

Colleges and Universities: Florida; national; Ivy Leagues, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton and others; six military academies; international schools, including Oxford; arts schools, including Julliard; and historically black colleges and universities. CAREER AND CHOICE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: Aerospace Science/Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Animation/Computer Science/Information Technology Biotechnology/Equine/Medical Science/Pre-Veterinary Business/Entrepreneurship/Finance/Marketing/ Sports Marketing Construction/Drafting Digital Design/TV and Film Production Environmental Research International Baccalaureate Culinary Arts/Hospitality and Tourism JROTC-Air Force, Army, Navy Montessori Music/Visual and Performing Arts FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.palmbeachschools.org

14 PB

By E. Wayne Gent Superintendent Palm Beach County Schools THANKS TO OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY, WE HAVE JUST HAD ONE OF our most successful school years. Our goal is to graduate our students college- and career-ready, and there were many achievements this year that validate our district’s lead role academically both statewide and nationally. Nearly 10, 000 young men and women graduated this year and, as we expect, most are going on to college. Collectively they earned an impressive $80 million in scholarships and will attend some of the finest colleges and universities here in Florida, across the nation, throughout the Ivy Leagues and abroad. Others are applying the training and “industry certifications” they received from our 227 (including 53 inhouse) Career Academies and Choice Programs to go directly into careers in our workforce. How do we do it? Our district is fully accredited. We have earned seven consecutive “A” ratings from the state. We’re the leader among urban Florida districts. More than 80 percent of our schools are rated “A” or “B”. Newsweek and The Washington Post, again this year, ranked our high schools in the top ten percent nationally for preparing students to be college-ready. Education Week and the Florida Department of Education ranked our high schools second in the state and eighth in the nation for our high graduation rates. One of our most impressive achievements of this year was The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation selecting our district from among the 75 largest districts nationally as one of four finalists for the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education based on our high graduation rates. The prize has already provided $150,000 in scholarships, and that could increase to $500,000. To ensure our ongoing success, our career academies, choice programs, IB schools and STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) will continue to offer students unparalleled experiences, innovative teaching techniques and unique opportunities for rigorous, in-depth study in specific themed areas. Our business community will continue to be a huge part of our success. Our partners are at the table with us helping to design the programs for the students who will become your top recruits, employees and future leaders. The world-renowned Scripps Institute and The Max Planck Society are just two examples of the 1,200 partners that are helping give our students valuable internships, support and a world-class education. Planning for another successful school year, our board, teachers and staff are dedicated to high standards and keeping Palm Beach schools the best source for a globally competitive education. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with you.

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PROTECTING FAMILIES IN

PALM BEACH COUNTY

AND

BUSINESSES

FOR OVER

YEARS

For more than 50 years, Celedinas Insurance Group has been providing insurance risk management services to Palm Beach County families and businesses. “We provide proactive client advocacy and support,” says Ray Celedinas, President & CEO. “We offer our clients the options and value of a local agency, with the market position and expert negotiating power of a national firm.”

Founded in 1959, Celedinas Insurance Group is one of

the country’s oldest and largest national insurance brokers. The firm was recently recognized by the Insurance Journal as one of the “Top 100 Privately Held Property & Casualty Agencies in America.” Possessing a profound understanding of the challenging Florida insurance marketplace and direct access to over 100 of America’s preeminent insurance carriers, Celedinas Insurance Group takes great pride in delivering competitive solutions with unbiased advice to its clients. “Since we are privately held, you can rest assured our actions and recommendations will be based on what is best for you without regard to stockholder interest or share price” says Celedinas. Today’s marketplace demands a global strategy. Celedinas Insurance Group partners with Assurex Global, an exclusive partnership of the world’s premier independent insurance agents and brokers. Assurex Global is the world’s largest

privately held commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits brokerage group. “The ability to leverage the global strength of Assurex Global will further enhance the value that we deliver to our clients and the marketplace,” says Celedinas.

Ray S. Celedinas

The firm’s areas of expertise include commercial property & casualty, private risk management for affluent individuals and families, employee benefits, advanced life insurance solutions, marine, private aviation and kidnap & ransom coverage. Celedinas is active in numerous local charities and serves on the Board of Trustees of The Benjamin School and First Tee of the Palm Beaches. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Development Board. For more information: www.celedinas.com

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THE

INVESTOR PARTNERS

business law practice of Hicks, Motto & Ehrlich P.A. focuses on entrepreneurship and venture financing, matching the growing needs of the start-up technology sector that has taken root and is growing fast in northern Palm Beach County. Attorney Mark H. Mirkin leads the firm in this area of the law, employing expertise he has developed over the last 28 years practicing locally and in the Research Triangle. Firm clients include biotech, medtech, infotech and cleantech start-ups and middle market companies. We pride ourselves on working with entrepreneurs from conceptualization to formation to first financing to venture capital financing, covering all matters of business law in between and handling exits including mergers, acquisitions and public offerings. Many of our entrepreneurial clients manage technology transfer ventures, and our licensing practice experience is well respected. Members of the practice group also handle commercial real estate transactions, including leasing and acquisitions. We supervise the intellectual property law needs of our clients, collaborating with patent attorneys regularly. Members of the law firm own and operate Business Writer Inc., a resource for business people that prepares business plans, Powerpoint presentations, web design, and related marketing needs.

Palm Beach County’s Economic Development Resource

3399 PGA Boulevard, Suite 300 | Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 561.683.2300 | www.hmelawfirm.com

In business, it’s easy to meet people;

[The Challenge] is meeting the right people.

Join Today

Lisa Anderson 561.324.0726 landerson@bdb.org Palm Beach County’s Economic Development Resource

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EMERGENCY SERVICES

A COMPLETE STAND-ALONE SOLUTION OPENING IN THE FALL OF 2012 In our continuing commitment to improve the health of the communities in Palm Beach County, we are pleased to announce the forthcoming opening of our newest ER. Emergency Care Services, an extension of JFK Medical Center, will deliver the same expert emergency care provided in our hospital, only now we’re moving closer to our patients residing further north. WE OFFER: 24/7 Access ~ Life Saving Critical Care Programs ~ Board Certiﬁed Physicians Expert Staff ~ Experience You Can Trust

EMERGENCY Care Services at JFK Medical Center

Midtown Shopping Center | 4797 PGA Blvd. | Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 800.616.1927 | www.jfkmc.com

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‘‘ integrity Become a person of

’’

first, and success will follow.

At the law offices of Greenspoon Marder, relationships are valued, causes are championed, experience is revered, and respect is earned.

You can quote us on that.

Gerald Greenspoon, Esq. Co-Founding Partner Real Estate, Timeshare and Condominium Law

REAL ESTATE CONDOMINIUM, RESORT & TIMESHARE DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS & CIVIL LITIGATION BANKING & FINANCE LABOR & EMPLOYMENT GOVERNMENT & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

888-491-1120 www.gmlaw.com

| Aventura