A message from 2022-23 Board Chair Suzanne Christman, CEcD, MEDP
Through your continued investment, FEDC is growing, diversifying, and expanding its voice and reach.
With average growth of 20 new investors a year, FEDC’s 460+ members across 187 organizations represent public entities, private business and industry, and public-private partnerships that engage business, education, and government leaders in key economic development initiatives to improve local communities and elevate Florida’s global competitiveness.
Since 1964, FEDC has invested in the professional development of its members, advocacy for sound economic development programs and policy, and recognition of excellence among economic, workforce, and community development individuals and organizations.
FEDC’s mission to Educate, Advocate, and Connect has coalesced each of us around a common set of values and goals, I ask for your input to even further enhance FEDC’s offerings! Please reach out to Jill Blackman at jblackman@fedconline.org if you have input to share or would like to serve on one of our committees.
Thanks to All Who Attended the FEDC 2022 Annual Conference
The FEDC 2022 Annual Conference in St. Petersburg was a huge success! We are grateful for all the sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees who helped make the conference an informative and FUN event.
Relative and important discussions held during the conference included:
Cathy Chambers, FPL Economic Development Director, led a panel in discussions of plans to leverage regional talent campaigns like that of Jacksonville to create a Florida Talent Attraction Campaign focused on talent recruitment in target industries to improve Florida’s competitiveness .
Watch for a statewide website launch in September and development of regional campaigns throughout the year.
Congratulations to the FEDC 2022 Award Honorees
Eunice Sullivan Economic Developer of the Year
Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO, BDB of Palm Beach County
Toni Jennings Workforce Developer of the Year
Stacy Campbell-Domineck, President and CEO, CareerSource Polk
Daniel Webster Young Innovator Scholarship Award
Bryan Pederson, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Largo
Deal of the Year - Rural
BDB of Palm Beach County – Finfrock
Deal of the Year - Urban
JAXUSA Partnership - Dun & Bradstreet
Innovative Partnership Award Public/Private Under $25,000
EDC of St. Lucie County - Work Local
Innovative Partnership Award Public/Private Over $50,000
Greater Ft. Lauderdale Alliance - The Prosperity Partnership
Marketing Public Relations Campaign Organic Under $25,000
BDB of Palm Beach County- Wall Street South
Pivot & Persist Under $25,000
Opportunity Florida - Opportunity is Here
Pivot & Persist Over $50,000
EDC of St. Lucie County - Business Disaster Response and Recovery
Website Under $25,000
Florida Power & Light - PoweringFlorida
Website $25,001 - $50,000
Wakulla Economic Development Council
Advertising Campaign Under $25,000
Tampa Bay EDC - LinkedIn Lead Generation
Melissa Medley Best in Show
EDC of St. Lucie County - Work Local
A Busy Summer Season
This summer has seen lots of action for FEDC members.
Warren Baucom, Southwest Regional Director, Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, FEDC Executive Director and John Richard, EFI spoke to the Council for Workforce Education at the annual Association of Florida State Colleges conference in Martin County.
FEDC will be joining Cambridge Systematics, FloridaMakes, and the Florida Chamber Foundation at the Florida Planning Conference Thursday, September 8, 11:10 AM – 12:10 PM to present “Making and Moving Our Way to 2030: Florida’s Trade, Logistics, and Manufacturing Opportunities” in Orlando.
Applications for second stage companies to be honored at GrowFL's 12th Annual Florida Companies to Watch celebration are currently being accepted through July 15th. The FCTW event will be held February 2023.
New Member Spotlight
LT3 Group, a new member to FEDC, is transforming digital upskilling education through tech talent-generating hubs across the state.
LT3 “learning tomorrow’s technologies today” -- is the umbrella organization that houses both LT3 Labs and LT3 academy. It’s founded on community driven workforce development and is poised to be the innovative solution for Florida’s workforce development and infrastructure needs.
The co-founding team’s mission is centered on creating growth and sustainable career pathways, while recognizing the importance of meeting the community where they are.
Tomorrow’s future will be put into the hands of anyone wanting to get onto the
superhighway of in-demand jobs and learn skills to accelerate careers.
Be sure to check out our own Executive Director, Beth Cicchetti, CEcD, speaking about what economic development is on Enterprise Florida's Break Through video campaign produced by Florida Trend. Beth’s passion and dedication to economic development is an inspiration for all!
