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Business Trends in Palm Beach CountyTRANSCRIPT
Manufacturing Leader | Foreign Trade | Economic Analysis | Renewable Energy
A Quarterly Economic Development Publication Winter 2012/2013
P A L M B E A C H C O U N T Y
Manufacturing is on the Rise in
Palm Beach County
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CONTENTSMade in Palm Beach County
Manufacturing sector poised for growth
Economic AnalysisWhat does 2013 hold in store?
Creating Opportunities for Foreign TradePalm Beach County is helping foreign businesses
with relocation and expansion efforts
News & EventsBDB honored with two awards
An update on Education Commission Companies announce expansion plans
Community Profile: Wellington and Royal Palm BeachWellington, Royal Palm Beach attract new commercial investment
Alternative and Renewable EnergyResearch underway on fuel cells, storage batteries and related technologies
Helping Develop a State ‘Brand’Business leaders provide input to Enterprise Florida team
TO OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS:
Upon reading this issue of Palm Beach County Business you’ll
learn why the county is a leader in Florida’s manufacturing
industry and why the industry is a critical component of our
area’s economy.
This issue also continues its look at Palm Beach County as a
leader in the alternative and renewable energy sector with part
two of its spotlight on cleantech. The emphasis is on batteries,
fuel cells and other innovative developments, following a prior
article on solar, biomass and ocean currents.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Palm Beach County Business
which is made possible with the support of the Palm Beach
County Board of Commissioners, Workforce Alliance, NextEra
Energy, Inc., Florida Crystals, and Suffolk Construction.
As we continue to further the growth of Palm Beach County’s
wide-ranging economy, please continue to follow us on Facebook
and Twitter and watch for our e-newsletters to stay well-informed
on economic development and business news and events in Palm
Beach County.
Kelly SmallridgePresident and CEO
Welcome from the President
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Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc.310 Evernia Street | West Palm Beach, FL 33401561.835.1008 | www.bdb.org
Palm Beach County’sEconomic Development Resource
Published by » Passport Publications & Media Corporation
ON THE COVER:Image provided byPratt and Whitney Rocketdyne
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From helicopters and advanced medical devices to cosmetics andfoods, a growing number of products are made in Palm Beach County.
“Manufacturing is a critical component of our area’s economy,”
said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development
Board of Palm Beach County at a Nov. 15 BDB luncheon at the
Palm Beach County Convention Center. The presenting sponsor was
Alpern Rosenthal.
More than a dozen manufacturers showcased their products at
the event, prior to a panel discussion focusing on the opportunities
and challenges facing the sector. “We are here to celebrate the impact
of manufacturing in Palm Beach County,” said Patricia Lebow,
founder and managing partner of Broad and Cassel’s West Palm Beach
office and co-chair of the BDB’s new Manufacturing Task Force (see
related article).
Thanks in part to its leading business climate, workforce, and
trade and transportation infrastructure, Florida ranks among the top
ten states in the nation for manufacturing companies.
Palm Beach County contains 1,185 businesses in the
manufacturing cluster and supporting industries, according to a
recent study. The three largest manufacturing sectors are
transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and
food. On average, there are 14,694 people employed by manufacturing
businesses, which pay an average annual wage of $58,017.
At the luncheon, Tom Kennedy, president and CEO of the South
Florida Manufacturers Association introduced Al Stimac, CEO of
Machining Solutions in Altamonte Springs and president of the
Manufacturers Association of Florida. “Many people don’t realize that
the U.S. is still number one in manufacturing with a 21 percent share
of the global market, followed by China at 15 percent,” he said. “The
brand, ‘Made in the USA’ still carries tremendous weight, and we are
twice as productive as other countries.”
WPTV’s Mike Trim moderated a panel discussion with seven
manufacturing executives, who commented on their decisions to open
their doors in Palm Beach County and the benefits of being located here.
� Fenton Baijnath, president and CEO, Radical Cosmetics, a
contract manufacturer and product development company. “We
have a great location near I-95 with easy access to South Florida
airports and seaports,” he said. “In terms of costs, we were able to
buy a property here for less than we were leasing a facility in New
Jersey.”
� David Benjamin, president and CEO, Locus Traxx. which makes
portable monitoring systems. “We relocated from Milwaukee in
the winter when it was 8 degrees outside,” he said. “Need I say
more?”
� Chuck Biondo, vice president, PSM, an Alstom Company, which
makes gas turbine components. “We have taken advantage of the great
engineering and skilled workforce in Palm Beach County,” he said.
� Chuck Brunelas, director of operations, SV Microwave, Inc., an
electronics manufacturer. "We have a complex high-tech product
line, and brought our manufacturing back from China.”
� Newman Johnston, managing director, Teas Etc., a global
exporter. “We’ve been able to hire some great people through the
local colleges and universities,” he said.
� Sasson Moulavi, MD, medical director, Smart for Life® Weight
Management Centers, which makes healthy food products. “We
have hired excellent employees and gotten great support from the
county,” he said. “We enjoy being here and hope to continue our
success.”
� Lauren Spector, chief financial officer, Quantachrome, Inc., a
maker of analytical instruments. “Our employees couldn’t wait to
move down here when we made the decision to relocate from
Long Island many years ago,” she said. “Other advantages for us
include a reduced cost structure, much lower utility rates and
great access to South America and other international markets.”
Made inPalm Beach CountyManufacturers Display Waresat BDB Luncheon
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Palm Beach County is a leader in Florida’s manufacturing industry.The top five reasons:
Five Key Reasons
MA
JOR
MA
UFA
CTU
RER
S
COMPANY LOCAL EMPLOYEES LOCATION
Baron Sign Manufacturing 40 Riviera Beach
Biotest Pharmaceuticals Corporation 241 Boca Raton
Florida Crystals Corporation 2,000 West Palm Beach
GeoGlobal Partners/GMJ Holdings 50 West Palm Beach
JENOPTIK Optical Systems, Inc. 145 Jupiter
Lockheed Martin Corporation 363 Riviera Beach
Palm Beach Aggregates, LLC 36 Loxahatchee
Pivotal Therapeutics 4 Palm Beach Gardens
Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne 1,000 West Palm Beach
PSM, An Alstom Company 304 Jupiter
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation 1,105 West Palm Beach
Smart For Life 45 Boca Raton
SV Microwave 150 West Palm Beach
Transdermal Delivery Solutions Corp. 10 Palm Beach Gardens
Wafer World, Inc. 15 West Palm Beach
Quantachrome Corp. 115 Boynton Beach
The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County(BDB) recently formed a Manufacturing Task Force to supportand promote this dynamic sector of the economy. Co-chairingthe new BDB Manufacturing Task Force are Lauren Spector, CFO,Quantachrome, Inc. and attorney Patricia Lebow, founder andmanaging partner of Broad and Cassel’s West Palm Beach office.The task force includes delegates from employers representingdifferent segments of manufacturing, community colleges,universities, high schools, and Workforce Alliance.
“We want to identify and address the challenges themanufacturing sector faces, and connect you with the resourcesneeded to address those challenges,” said Spector during heraddress to the participants that attended the first task forcemeeting on October 12.
“Palm Beach County companies are contributing to thecomeback of the U.S. manufacturing sector in recent years,” saidKelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the BusinessDevelopment Board. “Our diverse manufacturing cluster includessophisticated aviation and marine components, biomedicaldevices, pharmaceuticals, information technology (IT) hardwareand software, printing and construction products.”
Noting that the area’s manufacturers are primarily smallerbusinesses that operate under the radar, Smallridge added, “Oneof our key goals is to connect them with the right resources, suchas workforce training, to help them grow. We also want toshowcase the wide variety of products that are made in PalmBeach County, building awareness of the contributions of ourmanufacturing sector.”
BDB FORMSMANUFACTURING
TASK FORCE
12345
Broad network of higher education, vocational education,and customized training programs.
Targeted industry incentives including sales and use taxexemptions, and tax credits and refunds for capitalinvestment, R&D, and job creation.
Nationally recognized export assistance programs, robustfinancial and professional services industry, and stronglogistics and distribution network.
Particular expertise in advanced materials, aerospace,biomedical, IT, defense, marine, and green technologies.
Unmatched access to Latin America and the Caribbean.
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As Florida looks ahead to 2013, uncertainties cloud the state’seconomic outlook, according to Sean Snaith, Ph.D., director of
the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic
Competitiveness.
Speaking at a Business Development Board quarterly
meeting on Sept. 27, Snaith said Florida’s prospects for growth
depend largely on the state’s housing and labor markets. “These
are the conjoined twins of our state’s economy,” he told
BDB members at the breakfast event at the Cohen Pavilion. “When
one of these markets shows improvement, that will help pull the
other along.”
Snaith noted that Florida’s economic recovery began in 2010, but
that real growth this year will only be in the neighborhood of 1.4
percent. “We expect things to pick up in 2013, but it will be 2014-2015
before growth starts to soar in Florida. We have been in a deep hole, and
you don’t climb out overnight.”
In his talk, Snaith focused on the uncertainties affecting the national
economy, including the so-called “fiscal cliff ” in January, the
European debt crisis and the impact of healthcare reform on
U.S. businesses.
“These uncertainties are continuing to slow the pace
of the nation’s economic growth,” Snaith said. “Many
businesses are taking a conservative approach,
delaying their investing and hiring plans until
there is more clarity about the U.S. economic
and regulatory environment.”
However, Snaith added that Florida has
been a bright spot in the national economic
picture for much of 2012. “In August, one of
four jobs created nationally was in Florida,”
he said. “However, our state’s biggest issue
right now is construction employment. It’s
starting to show some growth, but hiring
remains slow. It will take a long time, if
ever, for construction to get back to
where it was before the financial crisis.”
Uncertainties
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cloud state’seconomic outlook
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The Department of Economic Sustainability (DES) is working with an increasing number of manufacturing businesses, both domestic and
foreign that are relocating or expanding in Palm Beach County.
Situated in the Miami Customs District, the county has
continuously supported efforts to establish new channels of
commerce. Studies conducted by DES and Orbis Strategy
Group indicate that this year, more than $15 billion in
international trade revenue has been generated in the county.
Efforts are underway to increase opportunities for
businesses to obtain benefits under a foreign trade zone (FTZ)
designation. An FTZ is a site that is considered outside the U.S.
Customs territory, but is physically located in the U.S.
Companies operating in an FTZ can defer, reduce, or eliminate
Customs duties on foreign products admitted into zones for
storage, exhibition, assembly, manufacture, and processing.
The public benefits of an FTZ include the following:� Help facilitate and expedite international trade.
� Provide special customs procedures as a public service
to help firms conduct international trade related
operations in competition with foreign plants.
� Encourage and facilitate exports.
� Help attract offshore activity and encourage
retention of domestic activity.
� Assist state and local economic development efforts.
� Help create employment opportunities.
The Port of Palm Beach administers Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
135. FTZ 135 currently covers 623 acres on specific sites in Palm Beach
and Martin counties. In order to provide a broad range of companies
with access to FTZ benefits, the Port is applying to the federal Foreign-
Trade Zones Board for an Alternate Site Framework (ASF) that would
allow companies throughout the county to apply for FTZ approval.
The ASF also would shorten the process for activation from 18 months
to as little as 30 days. DES has been approached by companies
interested in gaining access to the FTZ and is working with the Port of
Palm Beach to support their efforts in applying for the ASF.
The county is encouraged that with an ASF approval, companies
will be served based on their trade-related needs rather than by their
geographical location.
Officials are hopeful that as Palm Beach County experiences
continued growth in emerging industry clusters including bioscience,
financial services, logistics/distribution, manufacturing, and is
established as a center of international trade, it will become a model for
sustainable economic growth.
For further information, please contact Sherry Howard at DES,
(561) 233-3653.
Palm Beach County
By Sherry Howard,Deputy Director
Palm Beach CountyDepartment of Economic Sustainability
Creating Opportunities for Foreign Trade
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&EventsNews
Digital RiskDigital Risk, a business and financial services firm that specializes
in providing mortgage underwriting services to mortgage originators,
lenders, insurers, conduits, investors and services, plans to add up to
450 new jobs in addition to the 150 new jobs announced last June. The
company will occupy up to 75,000 square feet of space in Boca Raton
and is projected to have a five-year economic sustainability impact of
$509 million.
ADTADT, a leading provider of electronic security services, will create
120 new jobs and retain 260 jobs in a 175,000 square foot office
building on Yamato Road in Boca Raton. ADT’s expansion will result
in an economic impact of $138 million.
Pratt & WhitneyPratt & Whitney, a world leader in the design, manufacture and
service of aircraft engines, industrial gas turbines and space propulsion
systems, will add an additional 230 new jobs to its current workforce
here. The company will renovate 90,000 square feet of existing space
and construct approximately 80,000 square feet of new space with an
economic impact of $422.5 million.
“Over the past six months, the BDB has diligently worked with
these companies to present the best business case for why Palm Beach
County is a prime location for their expansion,” said Kelly Smallridge,
president and CEO of the Business Development Board. “These
relocation and expansion leads came to the BDB through three site
consultants that visited our county in previous years through the BDB’s
Familiarization Program. As a result of the annual familiarization tour,
we are receiving a significant number of leads from consultants
representing medium to large projects.”
Smallridge added that the BDB works with existing employers to
assist them in competing more effectively and expand more easily. This
year, the BDB assisted 17 local companies by helping them expand their
operations in Palm Beach County creating and retaining 1,619 jobs.
One recent example is JFK Medical Center.
JFK Medical CenterJFK Medical Center, located in Atlantis, announced in September
it will open an emergency treatment and diagnostic center, named
“Emergency Care Services at JFK Medical Center” in western Boynton
Beach. The 12,600-square-foot center will have 40 employees with an
average annual wage of $59,342. The facility will be open 24/7 for both
emergency and non-emergency patients. The BDB assisted JFK with
its initial building search and worked closely with JFK staff, its general
contractor and Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning, and Building
departments to facilitate expedited review and processing of their
building permit application.
Shawn Rowan, the BDB’s VP of Retention and Expansion added,
“There are a number of programs and resources available to existing
companies that are growing ranging from training assistance programs
to sales and use tax exemptions. Since existing companies are the source
for sustainable growth in the local economy, we are always seeking local
companies from our targeted industries to assist with their growth.”
In the past two months, the Business Development Board ofPalm Beach County (BDB) has facilitated the growth plans ofseveral local and new-to-market companies. Recently, the PalmBeach County Board of County Commissioners unanimouslyapproved incentives packages for three companies: Digital Risk,ADT, LLC and Pratt & Whitney - Florida Engine Delivery Center(FEDC). Combined, the three companies will create approximately800 new jobs with an economic impact of $1.07 billion, and occupy370,000 square feet of space.
Governor visited PBC twicein November delivering kudosto the BDB
Governor Rick Scott visited Palm Beach County on November 18and again on November 28 to announce the BDB’s and the
county’s success in helping with the expansion projects of Pratt &
Whitney and ADT. Combined, the companies will create 450 new
high-wage jobs.
Scott singled out Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the
Business Development Board, for her aggressive efforts to enlist
the governor to help bring more headquarter jobs to Palm Beach
County. He said she has done more “than any other person” in the
state’s counties to seek out his help with job growth.
Relocations and Expansions
Pratt & Whitney
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For the first time in 30 years, the Business Development Board of PalmBeach County (BDB) received two Silver Excellence in Economic
Development Awards from the International Economic Development
Council (IEDC). The BDB was recognized for its RightHere.
RightNow. campaign in the category of General Purpose Promotion
for communities with populations of greater than 500,000 and for its
Economic Development Website in the category of General Purpose
Website for communities with populations of greater than 500,000.
“Being recognized by IEDC with these prestigious awards is a
meaningful accomplishment for the BDB and the county,” said Kelly
Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board.
“We were able to develop top notch marketing pieces and compete in
the award process due to the support of the Palm Beach County Board
of County Commissioners and private sector support.”
The honors were presented at an Oct. 2 awards ceremony during
the IEDC Annual Conference in Houston, Texas. BDB Senior Vice
President Gary Hines was present to accept the awards.
Right Here. Right Now. is the tagline of the BDB’s marketing
campaign to attract corporate headquarters to Palm Beach County.
The campaign features prominent Palm Beach County CEOs and
headquarters that help exemplify the county’s attractive business
climate. The campaign is designed to entice CEOs and site selectors
to consider Palm Beach County as an ideal location in which to
conduct business. An innovative component of the campaign
includes a micro-website (microsite) found at HQpbc.com. The site
serves to enhance the basic elements of the campaign by providing
supplementary information.
The BDB’s new website was launched last February in conjunction
with a new branding initiative. In addition to a fresh look and more
efficient navigation, the new site incorporates social media elements and
a new GIS solution called ZoomProspector. The website, a critical
component of the BDB’s marketing effort, serves as the primary
information resource to assist site selectors, developers, stakeholders and
the inquiring public with economic development facts and data. The
new look is consistent with the BDB’s commitment to promoting the
area in the most innovative and competitive format. The site provides
robust economic development information and a comprehensive list of
free and confidential services the BDB provides. In addition, it provides
readers with current business news and county highlights.
“The BDB has clearly created innovative and successful strategies
to promote economic development in this period of global recovery,”
said Jay Moon, IEDC chair. “The BDB is at the forefront of the
economic development profession, using cutting-edge, effective
practices that can be replicated in other communities.”
BDB received two awards from IEDC
For more than a decade, the Palm Beach County Education
Commission has been creating career pathways for students that
contribute to the region’s skilled workforce. “We have focused on
building a seamless system of education from pre-K through college,”
said Jody Gleason, outgoing executive director. “We provide our
community leaders with a neutral setting to meet, talk, and think
outside the box to find solutions to educational problems.“
Gleason, who has led the commission for 11 years, is being
succeeded by Glenn Thomas, a former physics teacher and assistant
dean of pre-K through 12th-grade schools and programs at Florida
Atlantic University with more than 40 years experience in education.
Created in the late 1990s, the commission consists of business
leaders, education professionals, and interested citizens who share the
goal of raising student achievement and strengthening the system from
pre-school programs through post-secondary education and job
preparation activities.
It serves as a springboard for education reform, improved social
and successful job preparation in Palm Beach County. “We recognize
the importance of a strong educational system to workforce
preparation and business success,” Gleason said. “Ultimately, it’s all
about building better communities.”
For example, the Business Development Board (BDB) participates
in the Education Commission, helping to ensure that Palm Beach
County Public School programs like the high school career academies
align with the current needs of area employers. The commission also
works with the BDB in providing information on local schools and
colleges to prospective employers.
Other Education Commission projects include connecting 25,000
underserved citizens with free access to the Internet through county
and school district services, strengthening vocational and adult
education programs. “We also strive to ensure a cross alignment of
high school and college programs, so students can gain college credits
and accelerate their education,” she said. “These types of collaboration
benefit our entire county.”
Education Commission: Creating Career Pathways
� The Tax Foundation, a non-partisan tax research group based
in Washington, D.C., recently ranked Florida #5 for the best
State Business Tax Climate. The Tax Foundation’s 2013
edition of the State Business Tax Climate Index enables
business leaders, government policymakers, and taxpayers to
gauge how their states’ tax systems compare.
� The Cato Institute recognized Florida Governor, Rick Scott
with an “A” grading on its Fiscal Policy Report Card.
Governor Scott was one of only four Governors in the U.S. to
receive this recognition.
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Wellington andCOMMUNITY PROFILE:
“We recognize we are a bedroom community,” said Bill Nemser,
principal planner, Wellington, with a population of about 56,000. “We want
to be sure that we keep the things that make Wellington a great hometown,
while being proactive with existing businesses and recruiting new ones.”
One example is the retail “Shop Wellington” program, which provides an
online vehicle for local businesses to advertise their products and services.
In conjunction with the Business Development Board (BDB),
Wellington has an expedited permitting program, as well as a single-
point-of-contact approach for new projects. “We also have a business
ambassador in our lobby who can help people find the right person in
planning, engineering or building,” said Paul Schofield, manager.
One of Wellington’s unique characteristics is its long-standing
equestrian industry. “We have the nation’s longest running equestrian
festival, running from November to April,” said Schofield. “We also are at
the center of the polo world, including months of activities at the
International Polo Center.”
Last year, a business survey, conducted with Florida Atlantic
University identified a growing cluster of home-based businesses. “We
want to see how we can facilitate those businesses within a residential
context,” said Schofield. “After all, having jobs nearby reduces commuting
time for our residents.
Larger companies located in Wellington include SourceOne and
B/E Aerospace, along with professional firms like Anidea (see related
article). In addition, Wellington has a vibrant commercial district along
the S.R. 7 corridor, and a fast-growing cluster of medical and
healthcare businesses.
A key step in the area’s economic development is the Wellington
Medical Arts District at Forest Hill Boulevard and State Road 7. When
completed, this 210-acre campus will have more than 2 million square feet
for hospital, education, office, medical-related, and support retail activities.
Wellington Medical Regional Medical Center, the region’s largest
employer, as well as nearby Palms West Hospital, will be keys to the
success of the district, which could potentially create 5,000 to 6,000 jobs
new jobs in the western communities.
With strong clusters of
equestrian, healthcare
and engineering
companies, Wellington,
Royal Palm Beach and
the other western
communities have a
thriving and diverse
business climate.
Section 24, Wellington Wellington Aquatic Complex
New Investment Diversifies Area Economy
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Recently, Wellington Regional Medical Center opened the Alan B.
Miller Pavilion, a 103,000-square-foot three-story addition that expands
the hospital into a 233-bed medical complex. The new pavilion
incorporates the latest breakthroughs in medical design and technology
and includes 80 new, all-private rooms, an expanded pharmacy and two
eight-bed ICU step-down units to provide support for existing medical-
surgical services. Additional space is reserved for the expansion of specialty
programs, including orthopedics, cardiology, neurosurgery and oncology.
To the north, Royal Palm Beach, a residential community with a
population of 31,000, is also attracting new business investment. “We are
a safe, family-oriented community with a low tax rate and a full range of
administrative services,” said Raymond C. Liggins, manager. “Our goal is to
build out our remaining commercial land over the next five to ten years.”
Royal Palm Beach also has an expedited permitting system in
place, simplifying the process for new and existing businesses. “We
have a solid infrastructure in place, as well as land for development,”
Liggins said. noting that 50-plus acres are available at S.R. 7 and
Okeechobee Boulevard.
In fact, Germany’s discount supermarket chain ALDI is planning
to build an 821,000-square-foot distribution center and regional
headquarters on State Road 7. The $50 million project is expected to
open late in 2013 on a 72-acre site, creating about 100 permanent jobs
in the western communities.
“This is the largest economic development deal from a physical
standpoint for the county in the last two or three years,” said Kelly
Smallridge, president and CEO of the BDB. “This facility will be the
largest taxpayer for the village of Royal Palm Beach.”
Liggins pointed to the countywide team approach to economic
development as a key factor in attracting ALDI to Royal Palm Beach,
and is hopeful that other companies will follow. “A number of
commercial real estate brokers were pleased with the way this
transaction was handled,” he said. “They have already referred another
company that has property for a 150,000-square-foot warehouse in
the area.”
Wellington Municipal Complex Equestrian Trails Village of Royal Palm Beach
ENGIN
EERING FIRM
FLOURISHES IN W
ELLINGTON
In the past decade, Anidea Engineering
has built a nationwide client base from its
headquarters in Wellington. “Everything
starts with an idea, and we’re making the
world a better place by helping inventors
and companies achieve their dreams,” said
Gabriel Goldstein, CEO and chief product
designer for Anidea, which designs new
products and re-engineers existing ones in
the lighting, wireless communication,
entertainment, security, and medical
industries.
“As a private development firm, we
offer a turnkey solution from idea to
production,” said Goldstein. “Our clients
range from startups with innovative
concepts to well-established companies that
want to expand their product lines.”
For example, Anidea helped a Hialeah
company redesign an alarm panel to add
voice communications for individual
condominium units, and assisted a special
effects company in Alabama with a new
product concept. The company has two
employees and a network of local contractors.
“We have found that Wellington is an
excellent place for a business, as well a great
place to raise a family,” Goldstein said. “We
use a lot of skilled labor and have found an
excellent talent pool in Palm Beach County.”
Royal Palm Beach
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Spotlight on Cleantech - Part 2
12 PBCB
a Leader in Alternativeand Renewable Energy Sector
Palm Beach County
When it comes to renewable portable power, Palm Beach Countyresearchers are on the frontlines of development.
“We are trying to eliminate some of the barriers facing electric
vehicles,” says Daniel Betts, PhD, director of business affairs, at
EnerFuel in West Palm Beach. “Current batteries have a limited energy
content, so most electric vehicles are used in cities or as part of a fleet.
Our objective is to develop a highly efficient fuel cell that is not bound
to a single fuel source.”
A wholly owned subsidiary of Ener1, Inc., EnerFuel currently
has 18 employees. “We have an excellent pool of engineering
talent in Palm Beach County, along with local vendors and
suppliers who have provided us with amazing technology and
resources,” Betts said.
EnerFuel is focusing on the science and design of high-
temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells – a
different technology than current low-temperature models.
“The advantages of this approach is that it simplifies the
design and uses gases that burn very cleanly without emitting
carbon atoms or heat,” Betts said. “It opens this field to using fuels
other than hydrogen to create energy. While hydrogen is the most
bountiful element in the universe, it’s always bound to other
elements and must be extracted by using energy.”
The EnerFuel team is also studying new approaches to high-
efficiency, low-emission power generation, such as generators
using propane or natural gas to produce electricity through a fuel
cell system. “That is much more efficient than an internal
combustion engine,” he said. “It would be ideal for providing
reliable backup power for telecom towers, for instance, allowing
them to go for a month or longer in the event of a hurricane or
other disaster.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: Palm Beach County is a national leader inresearching, developing and commercializing new forms ofalternative and renewable energy. This article looks at batteries,fuel cells and other innovative developments, following a priorarticle on solar, biomass and ocean currents.
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To the north, researchers at Scripps Florida are
also applying their scientific acumen to the field of
portable renewable energy. “Fuels and energy are all
chemistry challenges,” said Roy Periana, Ph.D.,
professor of chemistry and director, Scripps Energy
Laboratories. “Since chemistry is our core strength, we
want to apply our knowledge to important problems
facing the world, including sustainable energy.”
Developing more effective and efficient storage
batteries is one of Scripps Energy Laboratories’ areas
of focus. “Since wind and solar are intermittent
sources of energy, we need to find better storage
devices,” Periana said. “We are at an early research
stage on chemical batteries, looking at issues like
increasing the energy ‘density’ and the length of
time that power can be stored.”
“Scripps Energy Laboratories is also looking
at ways to economically convert natural gas into
a liquid fuel that would be competitive with
petroleum”, Periana added. “The chemistry
needed to solve that problem is related to making
a better battery,” he added. “These are world-class
challenges, but we believe in putting great minds
together in a research setting with an
entrepreneurial culture and industry involvement
and seeing what happens next.”
Roy Periana from Scripps
PBCB
PBCB Quarterly v1 i4_Winter:Layout 1 12/24/12 1:53 PM Page 13
14 PBCB
Palm Beach CountyHosts Florida ‘Branding’ Session
A team from Enterprise Florida turned to Palm Beach Countybusiness leaders for assistance in rebranding the state’s economic
development efforts. “Our goal is to get your input about our
state’s culture, value and assets,” said Ed Barlow of North Star
Destination Strategies, which is assisting Enterprise Florida with
the statewide project.
More than 50 executives attended the session at the Business
Development Board’s C-Suite Series, on October 11 at the Max
Planck Institute in Jupiter. To encourage a candid discussion, the
executives’ comments were confidential except for the Enterprise
Florida team.
“We thank Enterprise Florida for being here,” said Kelly
Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development
Board. “We have found that a CEO must first buy into the State of
Florida, then into our South Florida region before focusing on
Palm Beach County and a local municipality. Your feedback will
play an important role in helping to shape those conversations.”
Melissa Medley, chief marketing officer for Enterprise Florida,
noted that the session would help the public-private partnership’s
efforts to diversify the state’s economy. “Tourism has helped to
cushion our economy during the economic downturn, but we
can’t continue doing business as usual,” she said. “We need to
attract scientists, engineers, financial professionals and other
skilled workers.”
Medley added that almost everyone in the U.S. knows
something about Florida’s beaches and family attraction. “From a
branding standpoint, that’s invaluable,” she said. “But business
leaders aren’t as clear about Florida, and we want your opinions on
how to reach them and help us diversify our state’s economy.”
Before opening the session to comments, moderator Corey
Saban thanked the Max Planck Institute for hosting the event,
calling the organization’s decision to open its first U.S. facility in
Jupiter a “big win” for Palm Beach County.
“We have been able to recruit outstanding scientists and bring
them to a collaborative research environment where they can
develop the next generation of solutions,” said David Fitzpatrick,
scientific director for the institute. “Today’s basic science is
tomorrow’s cures.”
PBCB Quarterly v1 i4_Winter:Layout 1 12/24/12 2:04 PM Page 14
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Hanley Center, The Center of Excellence for 25 years.
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Hanley_PBBQ Winter 13:Layout 1 12/24/12 2:03 PM Page 1
200 MILES
Port Everglades/
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Miami Int’l Airport
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First Park South Florida:Layout 1 12/24/12 2:02 PM Page 1
Florida Blue Retail Centers: Empower Consumers and Drive Down Health Care Costs By Penny Shaffer, PhD, South Florida Market President, Florida Blue
While lawmakers and pundits continue to debate the best ways to improve quality and access to health coverage, Florida Blue Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan, has been taking action to change the health care dynamic, implementing a series of groundbreaking new initiatives designed to engage consumers in their care, while making health insurance more affordable and more understandable. In 2007, the company launched its first Florida Blue retail center, which provides a better way to obtain, understand and maximize health coverage. Today, there are 11 Florida Blue centers across the state, each helping consumers make health smart and cost-effective decisions about their care. One of the greatest barriers to quality health care today is the very structure of the health care system itself. For consumers, the often complicated process of communicating with physicians, hospitals and insurers is not only frustrating, but it can also impact and delay their decisions to seek preventive care, appropriate treatment for chronic conditions and even needed oft required medications. It can drive patients from the most appropriate health care setting to high cost emergency room visits or even prevent them from seeking help at all. Similarly, the frustration that is sometimes involved in obtaining and using health insurance can lead consumers in the wrong direction, impacting both the quality and bottom-line cost of the care they receive. Far too often, whether they have private or government health coverage, people simply do not understand what their insurance pays for, how their copayments work, how to find the right doctors, or even what to do if they have questions. As a result, they may not get the care they need, and when they do, they often pay too much for it. Our statewide Florida Blue Centers are staffed with care consultants who are registered nurses. They can provide members with up-to-date personal health information and counseling on a wide range of topics like costs of care, treatment options and health conditions. Additionally, there are on-site customer service advocates on hand to help members understand and maximize use their health care plan. With 11 Florida Blue centers located across the state, Florida Blue has expanded its efforts to provide personalized, one-on-one, face-to-face service in a way that no other Florida insurer has done before. The nationwide focus on how to improve the overall health care system has brought into sharp focus the day-to-day complexities of the health care, and the immense common challenge we face in the form of skyrocketing health care costs. While Florida Blue centers will surely play an important role in bringing health costs down by involving consumers more closely in their care decisions, their most immediate impact will be a more powerful and human one -- they will help Floridians access services, manage health conditions and stay healthy.
To learn more about the Florida Blue retail centers, log onto www.floridablue.com. The Palm Beach County center is at 1501 North Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach, between Gateway and Boynton Beach Boulevard.
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Florida Blue:Layout 1 12/24/12 2:01 PM Page 1
Gerald Greenspoon, Esq.Co-Founding PartnerReal Estate, Timeshareand Condominium Law
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Greenspoon Marder_PBCB v1 i4:Layout 1 12/24/12 2:03 PM Page 1