By Dr. Tom O’Neal
(Ed Note. Dr. Tom O’Neal associate vice president for Research and Commercialization at the University of Central Florida is founder and executive director of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program and president of the Florida Business Incubation Assn.)
As America searches for solutions to its economic woes, one of the most innovative and productive job creating engines is being overlooked. It’s a case of not seeing the trees for the forest.
A recent national study came to a compelling conclusion nationwide, it’s the young, small startup companies that are creating the most new jobs — about three million annually. And if you look deeper, you will see that it’s a small number of small companies – usually young in their existence – creating these jobs.
Last year, the University of Central Florida’s Business Incubation Program graduated more than 20 companies that are now succeeding with further assistance from the UCF programs such as GrowFL. And they are creating jobs.
Last year UCF accepted a record number of 64 new startup companies. Over the last 10 years, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 200 client companies that in 2011 accounted for more than 1,600 new jobs.
What kinds of businesses are these?
A St. Cloud company helps Florida ranchers and farmers sell fresh, locally grown foods to Florida restaurants and hotels. A Daytona Beach graduate company is gearing up to mass-produce its patented wind turbines that out perform anything on the market. A client company in Kissimmee recently completed filming a feature length motion picture.
In Leesburg, a client company produces award winning video series on healthcare and is doing it so well that the National Business Incubation Association awarded them the title of 2012 Outstanding Incubator Client in the Non-technology category. A client company in the Central Florida Research Park developed a GIS platform that helps disaster management agencies cope with tornadoes and hurricanes.
The UCF Business Incubation Program is one of thousands of similar programs nationwide. At UCF, client companies range from industry leaders in laser photonics, simulation technology, rapid prototyping, web development and alternative energy to a commercial delivery service for area restaurants.
America’s greatness lies in our ability to adapt to new conditions with innovation and enthusiasm. That spirit of innovation, enthusiasm combined with perseverance and an entrepreneurial culture is what made America so prosperous for so long. It continues to be played out daily in small, young startup companies all across the country.
What can we really do? Increase the success rate of these companies and you create greater prosperity. A recent study reported that five-year survival rate of Florida establishments is 37 percent. That value places Florida dead last in the US in that statistical category. That’s right, 50th. Without even passing judgment on the good or bad thing, just think of the consequences of increasing that rate by 5% or 10%. Cultivation of fertile ground wherein companies can be successful benefits everyone.
Not all companies will survive, but we should create a nurturing environment where an entrepreneur’s lack of experience can be mitigated and pure market forces can be the major determining factor in their survival rate. That’s where you’ll find the real wealth of our region and nation!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty sale of Auburndale Estate to Canadian buyer nets highest price in more than a year
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty recently sold an estate home in Auburndale to a Canadian farmer who paid the highest price for any residential property in the Auburndale area in more than a year.
Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said International Luxury Home Specialist Chris Wilson in the firm’s Orlando/Dr. Phillip’s Marketing Center negotiated the sale.
By all accounts, the estate was well worth the record price.
Situated on 20 hilltop acres with lake views, the property is already zoned RL-2, which allows two to five units per acre if developed.
The 4,400 square foot Arthur Rutenberg home offers four bedrooms, three baths, a game room and a tropical screened pool and spa, a three car garage and its own spring-fed pond.
A 5,000 square foot custom metal building on the site is fully air conditioned with offices, bathroom facilities, a car lift and 18 foot doors, Wilson said.
“The sale we negotiated represents the highest price paid for any residential property in Auburndale for more than a year.”
About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.
Roger Soderstrom, founder and owner of Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty, said International Luxury Home Specialist Chris Wilson in the firm’s Orlando/Dr. Phillip’s Marketing Center negotiated the sale.
By all accounts, the estate was well worth the record price.
Situated on 20 hilltop acres with lake views, the property is already zoned RL-2, which allows two to five units per acre if developed.
The 4,400 square foot Arthur Rutenberg home offers four bedrooms, three baths, a game room and a tropical screened pool and spa, a three car garage and its own spring-fed pond.
A 5,000 square foot custom metal building on the site is fully air conditioned with offices, bathroom facilities, a car lift and 18 foot doors, Wilson said.
“The sale we negotiated represents the highest price paid for any residential property in Auburndale for more than a year.”
About Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty
Stirling Sotheby’s International Realty is affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty, the largest luxury real estate brand in the world. Stirling Sotheby’s exclusive services include luxury residential, new homes, new home communities, commercial and investment properties, in addition to supporting builders, developers, lenders, and asset managers. The company operates two performance zones which serve all of Central Florida. Visit www.StirlingSIR.com.
Two Ready-To-Move-In Homes Are Now Available at Mira Bay in Apollo Beach in Tampa Bay region
TAMPA, Fla. --- Ashton Woods Homes now has two ready-to-move-in homes available at its community of Mira Bay in Apollo Beach in the Tampa Bay region.
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said one of the homes has three bedrooms, with 2,234 square feet of living area, while the other, a four bedroom home has 2,705 square feet.
The two ready-to-move-in homes at Mira Bay are priced from $269,990, Roche said.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
Michael Roche, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said one of the homes has three bedrooms, with 2,234 square feet of living area, while the other, a four bedroom home has 2,705 square feet.
The two ready-to-move-in homes at Mira Bay are priced from $269,990, Roche said.
Ashton Woods Homes, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of the nation’s largest private homebuilding companies with operations in growth communities in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Killeen, Orlando, Phoenix, San Antonio, Raleigh and Tampa. For more information, visit http://www.ashtonwoods.com .
CUHACI & PETERSON ARCHITECTS NAMES THREE NEW PROFESSIONALS TO STAFF
ORLANDO, Fla – Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Engineers Planners, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, recently named three new professionals to its staff, Lonnie Peterson, chairman, said.
Manuel Gonzalez who was named an architectural graduate received his Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and has more than 12 years of experience in the industry.
Marcos Del Orbe who was named senior project coordinator holds a Bachelors of Design from the University of Florida and has 19 years of experience in the industry.
Keith Brown, named permitting coordinator, attended Valencia College and has 12 years of experience in the industry.
Manuel Gonzalez who was named an architectural graduate received his Bachelor of Architecture from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and has more than 12 years of experience in the industry.
Marcos Del Orbe who was named senior project coordinator holds a Bachelors of Design from the University of Florida and has 19 years of experience in the industry.
Keith Brown, named permitting coordinator, attended Valencia College and has 12 years of experience in the industry.
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects Design Interior for New York Diner near Orlando International Airport
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects was recently awarded a contract to design the interior of the New York Diner located at Orlando Gateway on S.R. 436 and the Beachline Expressway near Orlando International Airport.
Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the design project totals 4,800 square feet of restaurant space.
Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, said the design project totals 4,800 square feet of restaurant space.
Cuhaci & Peterson selected to design four Aldi Supermarkets in North and South Carolina and in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Cuhaci & Peterson Architects based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park has been awarded a contract to design four Aldi Supermarkets in located in North and South Carolina and Orlando
Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said each of the supermarket facilities will total 18,000 square feet of retail space.
The Aldi Supermarket facilities are located in Salisbury and Indian Trails, N.C., in Columbia, S.C. and at U.S. 192 and Vineland Rd. in Southwest Orlando near Disney World.
Lonnie Peterson, chairman at Cuhaci & Peterson, said each of the supermarket facilities will total 18,000 square feet of retail space.
The Aldi Supermarket facilities are located in Salisbury and Indian Trails, N.C., in Columbia, S.C. and at U.S. 192 and Vineland Rd. in Southwest Orlando near Disney World.
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