GrowFL Receives Grant From The State Of Florida, Department Of Economic Opportunity
Cultivating Growth Companies and Increasing Jobs in Florida
02 Aug, 2012, 04:21 ET
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida (GrowFL) announced today that $2M in funding, authorized during the 2012/2013 Legislative session, has been finalized by the State of Florida. The GrowFL program, originally piloted in 2009, will continue to cultivate entrepreneurial growth through support and funding by the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). Since its inception in 2009, GrowFL has worked with hundreds of second-stage companies providing assistance under the economic development methodology known as Economic Gardening.
"We are excited about the continuation of GrowFL services on a statewide level," said Dr. Tom O'Neal, Executive Director of GrowFL and Associate Vice President at the University of Central Florida. "Our proven approach creates jobs."
Continued support from DEO affords GrowFL the ability to administer the state's program in conjunction with 10 Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESO) throughout the state. An ESO can be an economic development organization, chamber of commerce, or other organization that considers itself a supporter of small business. Each ESO will market and advocate for economic gardening in their regional area, as well as provide a local venue to host CEO Roundtables and CEO Forums.
"Improving Florida's economic climate is a collaborative effort, and we're excited about partnering with GrowFL and the University of Central Florida in fostering this valuable economic gardening program," said DEO Executive Director Hunting F. Deutsch. "This funding will help encourage the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Florida such a wonderful state to create, start or expand a business."
Through this grant, GrowFL will provide core strategy and market research assistance for second-stage companies throughout the state. These services are provided through a specialized Strategic Research team focused on helping a company grow their revenues, resulting in increased employment in Florida. The CEOs will have access to this Strategic Research group at no charge throughout the 2012/2013 time frame.
Results from GrowFL in its first two years are testament to the success of economic gardening. GrowFL helped create more than 3,285 jobs (1,400+ were direct jobs) and contribute more than $510.4 million (direct and indirect) to Florida's economy.
About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at UCF (GrowFL)
Economic Gardening is a philosophy that embraces strategies to grow existing businesses in a community, region or state and is the basis for the entrepreneurship programs at the Florida Economic Gardening Institute (GrowFL). Initially created in 2009 as a pilot program, GrowFL, at the University of Central Florida is now a critical component to Florida's entrepreneurial ecosystem and the state's overall economic development strategy. GrowFL focuses its efforts on initiatives that strengthen the service offerings of entrepreneurial support organizations throughout Florida and by delivering critical research and strategy support to help second-stage growth entrepreneurs prosper. GrowFL has helped more than 400 companies create more than 1,400 new jobs statewide since 2009. Website: growfl.com
Contact: Cindy Barson
407-823-3642
[email protected]
SOURCE Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida (GrowFL)
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