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Positive COVID test results continue to stay below 10%
12th straight day below 10%
Business is making a comeback
Florida ahead of the curve on convalescent plasma
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Atlas adds a critical missing element to coronavirus task force
Scott Atlas was added to President Trump's Coronavirus Task Force this month, and he quickly took center stage alongside the president. While he lacks the infectious-disease credentials of task force coordinator Deborah Birx, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases head Anthony Fauci or Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Atlas has a long history as a top health policy expert at the Hoover Institute at Stanford University. Perhaps even more important, he brings a fresh perspective to approaching the pandemic.
Atlas was a senior health adviser for Republican presidential candidates in 2008, 2012 and 2016, as well as for members of Congress. At the Hoover Institution, he focuses on public-private partnerships in health care, innovation and the impact of biotechnology and incorporating economic factors to derive practical solutions. He is co-director of Hoover's "Socialism and Free Market Capitalism: The Human Prosperity Project."
He has appeared with me on "Doctor Radio Reports" on SiriusXM, where he presented himself as an anti-fear-monger, a non-alarmist who bases his views on logic and data. Nevertheless, his background as a non-virologist who is no longer seeing patients has left him subject to some media attacks. This seems completely unfair. There already are several respected virologists on the task force, but not enough health policy or public health experts.
COVID-19 cases continue to decline as 6 Central Florida school districts begin in-person learning
Florida continues to report a decline in new coronavirus cases, a hopeful trend as tens of thousands of students return to class for in-person instruction across Central Florida.
For the ninth day in a row, the Florida Department of Health reported fewer than 5,000 new cases. Monday’s report revealed public health officials had tabulated 2,258 new infections across the state. Since the virus was first detected on March 1 in Florida, FDOH has recorded 602,829 total cases.
“We in Florida have had things open. Universal Studios opened in June, SeaWorld in June, Disney opened about three days after the peak in infections.” Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday during a news conference in Miami. “So they opened right as the peak had already happened and we continue to see downward even with Disney open and people coming.”
Another promising statistic is the dwindling number in coronavirus-related deaths. FDOH reported 72 new fatalities Monday, with six of those deaths reported in Central Florida counties marking a decline in people dying in relation to COVID-19. It is important to note that new COVID-19 deaths are often delayed in reporting to the state and newly reported deaths could have occurred within the past few weeks.
Web search for ‘anxiety’ spiked during coronavirus pandemic, study says
Google searches for anxiety were the highest in the history of the search engine during the coronavirus pandemic this spring.
Searches for information about panic attacks and anxiety spiked following COVID-related major news events from mid-March to mid-May.
That’s according to a study by authors from UC San Diego published in Monday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
The authors suggest that for some Americans, fear about COVID-19 may have a greater effect on their health than the actual coronavirus.
U.S. business activity surges to early 2019 levels: Markit flash PMI
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-pmi-flash/u-s-business-activity-surges-to-early-2019-levels-markit-flash-pmi-idUSKBN25H1ST
U.S. business activity snapped back to the highest since early 2019 this month as companies in both the manufacturing and services sectors saw a resurgence in new orders even as new COVID-19 cases remain stubbornly high across the country, a purchasing managers’ survey showed on Friday.
Data firm IHS Markit said its flash U.S. Composite PMI Index rose to a reading of 54.7 this month - the highest since February 2019 - from 50.3 in July. Its flash - or preliminary - indicator for the manufacturing sector stood at its highest since January 2019 and for the services sector it was the highest since March 2019.
A reading above 50 indicates growth in private sector output. The economy fell into recession in February as the coronavirus began to spread rapidly around the United States, triggering widespread business shutdowns and stay-at-home orders.
“Driving the overall upturn in output was stronger client demand,” Markit said in its report. “Total new business rose for the first time since February and at a solid rate. Manufacturing firms registered a steeper expansion in new order inflows than in July, while service providers signaled a renewed increase in sales.”
The survey’s flash composite new orders index climbed to 54 in August - the highest since March 2019 - from a final reading of 49.7 in July.
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COViD-19 by the numbers | COVID -19 Fatalities
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ICUs and hospital beds by the numbers | Current as of 8/24/2020
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20.87%
% of ICU Beds Available Statewide
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38.52% % of Pediatric ICU Beds Available Statewide
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24.15% % of Available Hospital Beds Statewide
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Governor Advocates Getting an antibodyTest - You Coulod Save a Life
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Download any of these social media graphics below for your personal, business, or agency
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Department of Children and Families
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Department of Emergency Management
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Registration for $380 Million Hurricane Michael Timber Recovery Funding Program Now Available
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced that registration for the $380 million recovery funding program for Florida’s timber industry impacted by Hurricane Michael is now available. This program was made available through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is administered by FDEM in conjunction with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and technical assistance will be provided through the Florida Forest Service. Registration for the block grant is available here.
To be eligible for the Timber Recovery Block Grant, a producer must be the owner of record or the lessee who has rights to the timber crop at the time of application of a minimum of 10 contiguous acres of nonindustrial private forest land located in one of the following Florida counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington.
Additionally, the Florida Irrigation Recovery Block Grant Program is now available to agricultural producers who suffered damage to their crop and irrigation system as a result of Hurricane Michael. To be eligible for this program, a producer must be the owner of record of center pivot irrigation infrastructure at the time of application and document that the crop growing under the center pivot as of October 10, 2018, sustained a minimum 15 percent crop loss due to Hurricane Michael.
The deadline to register for these programs is Friday, November 20.
FDEM will be conducting community outreach to ensure timber producers have the information they need to apply. Additionally, producers can email questions to timber@em.myflorida.com.
For more information about the Timber Recovery Block Grant, visit https://floridadisaster.org/timber. For more information about the Florida Irrigation Recovery Block Grant Program, visit https://floridadisaster.org/irrigation.
A previous announcement regarding this program is available here. An announcement regarding the USDA agreement for the program is available here.
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Agency for Persons with Disabilities
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Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week 2020
Today, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners will proclaim September 10-16, 2020, as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week in Jackson County. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Sunland Center and the Pathways program are located in Jackson County. On September 1, the Gadsden County Board of County Commissioners will also issue the same proclamation in Gadsden County. APD's Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program (DDDP) is located in Gadsden County.
The state of Florida will be recognizing Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week as September 13-19, 2020, like many other states across the nation.
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities appreciates the direct support professionals, direct care workers, personal assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workers, and paraprofessionals who care for our customers.
Through their dedicated efforts, direct support professionals help individuals with disabilities live more independent lives so that they may more actively participate in their communities. Services include job training and coaching, assisting those with disabilities to successfully live alongside their peers, and teaching them to navigate home life through meal preparation, as well as administering medication, and helping with bathing, dressing, and other aspect of daily life. Direct support professionals also provide transportation to school, work, religious services, medical appointments, and recreational activities, while also assisting in financial matters and helping with other general affairs.
In honor of the hard work they do every day, and especially their unwavering commitment to people with disabilities during this pandemic, these two Florida counties are giving these professionals special recognition.
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Florida Department of Law Enforcement
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FDLE arrests Cape Coral man for lewd or lascivious molestation of a child FDLE
LEE COUNTY, Fla. – FDLE agents today arrested Jose Enrique Ortega, 39, of 1206 SE 8th Street, Apt. 101, Cape Coral, for two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation by an offender older than 18 of a victim younger than 12 and five counts of use of a child in a sexual performance. On July 2, 2020, agents with the Fort Myers Regional Operations Center Cyber Squad arrested Ortega on 20 counts of possession of child pornography and one count promotion of child pornography. Further investigation by special agents revealed Ortega committed lewd or lascivious molestation on a child. The child was under the age of 12 at the time of the offense. Forensic evidence found on Ortega’s computer showed he photographed the molestation and also took video of the child nude. Ortega was out on bond on the original charges when he was arrested today. FDLE special agents arrested Ortega without incident and booked him into the Lee County Jail on a no-bond status pending first appearance. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit.
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Agency for Health Care Administration
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With COVID-19 cases on the decline, is Phase 3 of reopening Florida coming soon? FOX 35 Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. - Florida has seen a decline in COVID-19 cases throughout August. Is this a sign that the state may be ready to enter phase three of reopening?
On Sunday, Florida marked its 8th straight day in a row that cases have been reported under 5,000. Only 2,974 new cases were reported since Saturday morning. That is only the second time since June 22 that fewer than 3,000 new cases have been tallied in a day. The other time was on Monday, when 2,678 cases were reported. However, Sundays and Mondays often have a low number of reports as not all hospitals report on the weekend.
Nevertheless, this is an improvement from what the Sunshine State saw in July, with increases hitting over 15,000 new cases a day at some points. The state has seen a decline in recent weeks though and experts are hopeful it will continue.
"We are on the downhill path to getting to a new normal," Rebel Cole, of Florida Atlantic University, told FOX 35. "It looks like all those measures show that we peaked around July 20 and have been declining for over four weeks."
He added that he believes the numbers will continue to go down, stating that "Florida is moving out of the COVID spotlight. We’re no longer going to be called the epicenter."
Governor DeSantis says Florida is heading in the right direction as coronavirus cases drop
Florida is reporting lower coronavirus cases than the state has seen in months.
In addition, hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also been declining. As of Sunday morning, 4,578 patients were being treated for the disease in Florida hospitals compared to Saturday’s 4,773. It is a drop of almost 800 since Thursday. Hospitalizations peaked at above 9,500 on July 23.
Florida, except for Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward County, is currently in phase two of reopening under the 'Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida's Recovery.' The guidelines for this phase has changed some since it was first announced in late April.
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Department of The Lottery
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Recinos, who was the first person to win the top prize of that game, recently cashed in his ticket at a secure drop-box location near the Orlando District Office. He chose to receive his winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment of $815,000. The lucky ticket was purchased at the Winn-Dixie at 3260 Davie Blvd. That location will receive $2,000 for selling the winning ticket.
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Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
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Women Veterans Services Available During Pandemic
The Sunshine State is home to the second largest population of women veterans in the nation, with more than 159,000. Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veterans’ population. Many women veterans don’t know that they are eligible for the full range of federal and state benefits, to include special programs for them. To contact our teleworking State Women Veterans’ Coordinator, call (727) 319-7418 or e-mail ThomasV@fdva.state.fl.us For more information on women veteran's issues, visit https://www.floridavets.org/our-veterans/women-veterans/
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Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
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Florida Keys businesses earn high marks from TripAdvisor Florida Keys Weekly People are talking, and plenty of them are saying great things about the Florida Keys and some specific hotels and restaurants in the island chain.
TripAdvisor, one of the internet’s original sites for user reviews, recently released its rankings of businesses and destinations, based entirely on travelers’ reviews.
“There is no application process to be a recipient of Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice awards and you cannot pay to get an award,” the company’s website states. “The achievement is earned over time based on feedback or reviews by travelers.”
The island of Key Largo ranked No. 1 on Trip Advisor’s list of “trending destinations.
“Key Largo has been named the top-trending destination in the U.S. for 2020,” according to Tripadvisor global traveler data. “This 30-mile-long island is a premiere playground for travelers looking for scuba diving adventure, and is home to the world’s largest artificial reef.”
Five Key West hotels received TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards: Santa Maria Suites, H2O Suites, The Gardens Hotel, Almond Tree Inn and Southernmost Beach Resort.
Marc Meisel, whose family owns the Santa Maria Suites and H2O Suites, commended his staff and thanked his loyal guests for their glowing reviews that helped the upscale properties earn the distinction.
Also in Key West, Two Friends Patio Restaurant earned a Travelers’ Choice Award and ranks within the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.
“Each year, we comb through reviews, ratings, and saves from travelers everywhere, and use that info to award the very best,” TripAdvisor staff wrote to Two Friends owners Danny and Maura Hughes. “You’re part of an exclusive group in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide.
Your award is the result of consistently great reviews from the people that matter the most — your guests.”
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Florida Department of Corrections
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Fall Semester Brings New Opportunities for Columbia CI’s Second Chance Pell Program
LAKE CITY, Fla. — The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) and Florida Gateway College began the fall semester of Columbia Correctional Institution’s Second Chance Pell Program August 17. This nationally accredited program creates opportunities for inmates to obtain college degrees while incarcerated. Degree tracks focus on in-demand career fields and provide training and tools necessary to succeed in today’s job market. “Just as students across Florida are returning to educational pursuits this fall, our inmate-students are back in class in pursuit of college degrees,” said FDC Secretary Mark Inch. “This program has been a tremendous success and I am so pleased to see it growing. By expanding opportunities for higher education, we are providing more tools and resources to prepare inmate-graduates for successful re-entry and restoration into their community.” New this semester is a degree track for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Water Resources Management. This degree path is designed to prepare graduates for positions in the fields of water conservation, resources and policy. Through this fully accredited program, participants learn about the management and political issues related to water resources. Water-related jobs are some of the fastest growing positions of the decade. FDC is proud to offer this level of higher education in prison programming to inmate-students to assist with a successful transition upon their return to Florida communities. “What makes this program unique is that it involves a cohort of students who all progress in this living learning environment through their program together. Another difference this semester is that all instruction will be strictly on-line to provide for the safest conditions for our faculty in this COVID 19 age,” said Dr. Lawrence Barrett, President of Florida Gateway College. Of the 60 currently enrolled inmate-students, 55 had a GPA of 4.0 during the summer semester. During fall and spring semesters, many program participants earn a spot on the Florida Gateway College President’s List for Academic Excellence. For more information about this program, please view prior coverage of the program or contact the Office of Communications.
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Florida Housing Finance Corpration
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CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (WTXL) — Wakulla County residents can now apply for CARES Act funds to help cover rent, utility bills or address other housing needs.
Monday, the Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners announced that CARES Act program funds are now available to residents.
Wakulla County has been allotted $240,768 in CARES Act funds to provide rental and mortgage assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The types of assistance available include the following:
Rental assistance payments (including back rent, deposits and utility payments) Mortgage payments and buydowns Assistance to homeowners to pay insurance deductibles Housing re-entry assistance, such as security deposits, utility deposits and temporary storage of household furnishings Foreclosure or eviction prevention, including monthly rent and associated fees Homeownership counseling
“We are pleased to provide this opportunity to assist qualifying households who may be in jeopardy of being evicted or losing their homes as a result of the impacts related to COVID-19,” said David Edwards, County Administrator.
The program aims to help low to moderate income households with housing needs. Maximum income limits will vary based on household size and type of assistance requested. The funding for foreclosure/eviction will only be used to support existing single-family housing, either leased/rented property, or owner-occupied property.
If you're interested, you can apply for the funds now. Applications are available on the county's website here, or by calling Government Services Group at (352) 381-1975. All applications must be received by the county by September 22, 2020.
Any questions regarding this program and application process should be directed to Jay Moseley Government Services Group (GSG), Inc., at (352) 381-1975.
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Virtual Volunteerism 101 Webinar - Tuesday, August 25 at 2 pm (ET)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations need significant support and individuals want to help their communities in whatever ways they can. Virtual volunteering can be part of the solution. Virtual volunteering involves volunteers working remotely rather than onsite. From their homes, these volunteers can make phone calls, edit newsletters, search online for information and more. Join us today at 2 pm (ET) to learn more about creating and managing virtual volunteer opportunities. Click here to register.
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Department of Business and Professional Regulation
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The Florida Channel highlighted the Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act (HB 1193) during their “It’s the Law” segment. The law eliminates barriers of entry to certain professions licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation by adding endorsement and reciprocity provisions, removing supplemental business licenses and corresponding license fees, reducing licensure education requirements, and eliminating other licensure and registration requirements.
The impacts of “The Occupational Freedom and Opportunity Act” include the following:
ENHANCING ENDORSEMENT & RECIPROCITY OPTIONS: Requires the Department to enter into reciprocal licensing agreements with other states for several professions and get Floridians to work.
Requires the Department to post on its website the existence of reciprocal license agreements or which jurisdictions have substantially similar licenses with license requirements and examination.
Endorses all current and active out-of-state barber and cosmetologists licenses in Florida.
Adds endorsement of building administrators, inspectors, and plans examiners, or the equivalent certification of another state or territory of the U.S.
Adds a category of home inspector licensure by endorsement for applicants who maintain an insurance policy as required by this state and have held a license for at least 10 years in another state or territory.
Removes examination requirements for landscape architects applying for endorsement, requiring only that they hold a license by another state or U.S. territory.
Provides licensure by endorsement for electrical and alarm system contractors who have been licensed in another state for at least 10 years.
Allows licensure of veterinarians by endorsement if they successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other exam that is equivalent to or more stringent than the examination required by the board.
REMOVING DUPLICATIVE BUSINESS LICENCES AND LICENSE FEES: Eliminates separate business licenses for architects, geologists, and landscape architects who already hold an individual license in order to remove unnecessary barriers to entry.
Allows yacht and ship brokers to maintain one license tied to their principal place of business without requiring additional licenses for each branch office.
REDUCING LICENSURE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: Reduces pre-licensure and continuing education hours in order to alleviate the cost barrier to certain professions.
Removes the continuing professional education requirement for applicants applying for licensure by endorsement as a certified public accountant.
Reduces the number of training hours required to be eligible for barber licensure from 1200 to 900 and specifies that the 900 training hours must be in sanitation, safety, and laws and rules. Reduces program certification requirements from 1,000 to 600 hours.
Reduces amount of hours needed for licensure for specialists. Nail specialists reduced from 240-180 hours, facial specialists reduced from 260-220 hours, full specialists reduced from 500-400 hours.
Lowers the continuing education requirement for cosmetologists from 16 hours to 10.
Reduces the required continuing education hours for renewal of an alarm system contractor license from 14 hours to 7 hours every two years, and 14-11 hours for electrical contractors.
ELIMINATING OTHER LICENSURE AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS: Removes all provisions relating to the licensure of interior designers, although it allows for certification on an optional basis.
Eliminates the registration and regulation of labor organizations by the Department.
Removes registration requirements and licensure requirements for hair braiding, hair wrapping, and body wrapping by the Department.
Eliminates the licensure requirement for timekeepers and announcers under the jurisdiction of the Florida State Boxing Commission.
REFORMING REQUIREMENTS IN OTHER REGULATED PROFESSIONS: Re-defines “one and two family dwelling inspector” as “residential inspector.”
Clarifies the limited types of veterinary medical services that are already permitted by rule, which include microchipping, vaccinations, immunizations and parasitic control.
Includes completion of the (PAVE) Program for graduates of foreign schools of veterinary medicine that are not accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association to qualify for licensure as a veterinarian.
Allows cosmetologists or specialists performing services in connection with a special event to no longer be required to be employed by a licensed salon or be required to make an appointment for a special event through a licensed salon. Also properly licensed individuals may offer hair shampooing, hair cutting, hair arranging, nail polish removal, nail filing, nail buffing, and nail cleansing services outside of a licensed salon.
Raises the dollar amounts of the construction licensing exemption for handyman jobs to $2,500.
Reduces the number of members on the Florida Building Commission from 27 to 19 members.
CREATING COST SAVINGS FOR FLORIDIANS AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA: Reduces expenditures to applicants and license holders by approximately $1,466,318 over the next two fiscal years.
Reduces expenditures to the state by approximately $58,680 over the next two fiscal years.
To view the segment, click here: https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/its-a-law-hb-1193-deregulation-of-professions-and-occupations/
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Virtual job fair seeks to fill multiple manufacturing jobs across South Florida, Treasure Coast, Machinist, packaging, forklift operator, among open positions WPTV WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Career experts from multiple counties in South Florida and the Treasure Coast are teaming up for a virtual job fair Wednesday featuring more than 30 employers.
CareerSource Palm Beach County partnered with CareerSource Broward and CareerSource Research Coast for the event, which seeks to fill openings in the manufacturing industry.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Organizers said people logging into the job fair will get to talk directly to employers.
"You do it virtually through your computer or come down here and use ours. However, you'd like to do," Veenstra said. "This will be our fourth event. We’ve had 60 employers attend in all, and hundreds of people got jobs."
Despite the pandemic, jobs in manufacturing continue to see growth and employers need skilled workers for a variety of positions, said CareerSource Research Coast spokeswoman Tonya Woodworth.
"This is a great opportunity for job seekers, especially since the types of positions these employers are trying to fill are so broad," Woodworth said in a written statement. "We're talking HR, sales, maintenance, administrator, machinist, forklift operator, engineer, etc. The list goes on."
Kevin Roth's company, Privacy Glass Solutions in Coral Springs, will be looking to hire up to a dozen people.
"The jobs we're looking for are assemblers, packing, and we also need salespeople as well for the office," Roth said.
Roth said they are looking to make more windows locally because pandemic and tariffs have cut back on overseas production.
"I think as we try to bring more jobs back here, and more production back here, the manufacturing industry has got to grow," Roth said.
The job fair Wednesday is focusing on manufacturing jobs.
"We’re looking for people that are reliable, who want to work and are not frightened of working hard, that have common sense. We are training. They don't have to have any skills in assembly or packaging or anything like that," Roth said.
If you are a job seeker, click here to register for the event.
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Department of Juvenile Justice
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Florida Department of Elder Affairs
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Department of Management Services
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Department of Enviromental Protection
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DEP Recognized for Baldwin Park Land Redevelopment Project
Recently, as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) third annual National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse awards, DEP’s Federal Programs Section (FPS) was recognized for their work with the Navy and their contractors on the redevelopment of the former Naval Training Center (NTC). Orlando was selected as one of four national award winners. As part of a partnership between state, federal and local stakeholders, FPS helped facilitate the redevelopment of over 2,000-acres of land that was the former NTC Orlando. This project has taken over 20 years to complete and is believed to be the largest single-phase demolition and remediation project in U.S. history. The former NTC Orlando site is now known as Baldwin Park—an Orlando neighborhood that includes multiple planned residential communities for 10-12,000 residents, millions of square feet in industrial and office space, two schools and thriving community spaces in Lake Druid, Lake Baldwin and Blue Jacket Parks. The Baldwin Park redevelopment site is an incredible economic and cultural asset to the city of Orlando, and a great example of the power of collaborative partnerships between stakeholders at multiple levels. This is the second consecutive year that our Federal Programs Section has been part of a group awarded a National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award from the EPA, after our work with the former Naval Air Station at Cecil Field was awarded in 2019. DEP is proud to continue to uphold a high standard of excellence during this period of extended telework as the state navigates the COVID-19 outbreak.
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Department of Transportation
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FDOT Projects Receive Recognition from America's Transportation Awards Construction Equipment Guide
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) received two regional awards for the S.R. 82 Widening Project and SunTrax Phase 1 from the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) as part of the annual America's Transportation Awards competition.
"This recognition further highlights the department's continued commitment to providing the safest and most innovative transportation system for Florida's residents and visitors," said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin J. Thibault. "The Florida Department of Transportation is honored to receive these prestigious awards."
The America's Transportation Awards competition is sponsored by the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In the southern region, Florida and six other states nominated a total of 17 projects in this year's competition.
Projects could be submitted in three categories: Community Development/Quality of Life, Best Use of Technology and Operations Excellence. Each project also was categorized into groups based on budget size: small (less than $25 million), medium ($25 million to $200 million), and large (more than $200 million).
S.R. 82 Widening Project (Operations Excellence – Medium category) — The $55.6 million S.R. 82 Widening Project in Fort Myers contains the state's first continuous flow intersection, a new design that eases traffic congestion on the connector. The project also included a multimodal approach by adding bike lanes in each direction, along with sidewalks and a multi-use path.
SunTrax Phase 1 (Best Use of Technology & Innovation – Medium category) — SunTrax is FDOT's $48 million effort to test the transportation solutions of tomorrow and features a 2.25-mi., four-lane oval track which allows the opportunity to test multiple technologies simultaneously. It also has a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-Certified operations center with training and testing facilities with fiber optic track connections.
The three top ranking projects from each region will go on to compete in the "top 12" list of projects for the national grand prize, chosen by industry experts, and the People's Choice Award, chosen by the public. Winners of these top awards receive $10,000 to donate to a charity or scholarship of the DOT's selection.
For more information, visit https://americastransportationawards.org/.
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – SpaceX is making final preparations in lead up to Thursday’s Falcon 9 rocket launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Launch is targeted for 7:19 p.m. ET. The mission features the SAOCOM 1B satellite for Argentina’s space agency (CONAE). According to SpaceFlight Now, the satellite will provide radar imagery to help emergency responders and monitor the environment, including the collection of soil moisture measurements. Following first-stage separation, SpaceX will attempt to recover the main booster engine on drone ship ‘Of Course, I Still Love You’ stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
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