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Over the course of the last 2 years the GrowFL Program has helped more than 400 businesses throughout Florida create over 1,400 net new direct jobs.
Via the State of Florida’s previous investment in the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program, Florida has emerged as a national leader in Economic Gardening. With the success in Florida, other states including Michigan, Indiana, Kansas, Georgia, Oregon, Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Colorado have either initiated or expanded their programs to catch-up to Florida’s lead.
The following quote from Melanie Brandt, COO of the Technology Association of Georgia, says it all. “I was joking with some of my folks back in Atlanta about wanting to be the next Silicon Valley. I am thinking we need to be the next Florida, as far as economic gardening goes.”
Economic Gardening focuses on helping companies grow their top line sales, resulting in the creation of new jobs. Here is what companies in Florida are saying about Economic Gardening:
“Our company would not be what it is without GrowFL. We would not have the same quality website or same focus of quality and targeted prospects that we have now. Our business has been growing every day. This is going to create jobs in Tallahassee. That’s what one of the goals of GrowFL is, and we are doing it.” Arthur Aveling, King Arthur’s Tools – Leon County
“The GrowFL team provided me with insight that has helped our company grow. The information I obtained from GrowFL assisted in the procurement of this contract [with Lockheed Martin], which will put between 55 and 65 individuals to work over the next eight months.”
Dale Coxwell, Coastal Steel, Inc.- Brevard County
“To be involved with GrowFL was an amazing experience. As a business owner there are always situations where you wonder if you are making the right decision. You ask yourself “who do I talk with, where do I get answers about this question?” To have a team of top people, with expertise in their respective field, was god-sent.” Anne-Marie Chalmers, Ambo Foods – Sarasota County
“I’d say we’ve grown by four or five employees based on our involvement with GrowFL. It’s been very beneficial to us. We’d like to see more companies involved in it.”
Don Arch, Engineered Lining Systems – Duval County
“Working with GrowFL offered us the opportunity to have local, experienced business leaders help us springboard our own growth. Working with GrowFL was a very positive endeavor that shows that we want to grow local jobs and, at the same time, bring foreign revenue to our Central Florida home.” Shane Robinett, PHXX – Seminole County
“We have hired two additional people in the last 6 months and continue to grab market share in the HVAC/Energy industry. I cannot thank GrowFl enough for such an outstanding program that has helped us navigate the turbulent economic environment. This is an institution that definitely works and should be commended for assisting the small businesses of Florida to succeed.”
Gary Carmack, All Elements Mechanical – Seminole County
Although the state-wide pilot program ended in early September, our organization has continued to provide economic gardening technical assistance in Central Florida. We are happy to report that Seminole County has just committed resources to support economic gardening and valuable services that GrowFL provides to small, but growing business in Florida.
If you would like more information about GrowFL and economic gardening, please see our website at www.GrowFL.com. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@growfl.com or at 407-823-6384.
Best regards,
Dr. Tom O’Neal
Executive Director, Florida Economic Gardening Institute
Associate VP, University of Central Florida Office of Research and Commercialization
