News Archive

New Letter Grade System Announced for Florida’s Workforce Development Boards

The New grading system for CareerSource Florida’s regional workforce boards is intended to further the transparency and accountability goals of Florida’s Reimagining Education and Career Help Act (REACH). CareerSource Central Florida, which covers Sumter County and several other Central Florida counties, received an ‘A’ rating. Across Florida, there were 13 A’s, 10 B’s, and 1 C. Stephanie Smith, Chair of the CareerSource Florida Board, said the goal of REACH is to “ensure a seamless, integrated experience and access for all Floridians to programs, opportunities, and training that lead to economic prosperity and self-sufficiency.” CareerSource Central Florida has assistance available at no-cost to employers and job seekers, to see what is available, click here.

October is Manufacturing Month in Sumter County

The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month. Manufacturing is one of Sumter County’s targeted industries for economic development. Sumter County is home to approximately 300 manufacturing firms, according to the Florida Small Business Center at UCF-Sumter County. These businesses support 1,339 jobs with an average earning of $76,032, up $7,000 from last year, according to EMSI Analytics. If you would like to learn about the benefits of doing business in Sumter County, please click here for more information.

Enterprise Florida Export Assistance

Enterprise Florida Incorporated (EFI) is the state-level economic development entity for the State of Florida. EFI is a public-private partnership chaired by Florida’s Governor. EFI has 20 international offices, that aim to connect companies abroad with Florida’s producers. EFI will connect you with a professional network that speaks the local languages, knows the local demographics, and has valuable market data. This service is available at no cost to your business and can assist with developing export opportunities.

State Leaders Recognize September as Workforce Development Month in Florida

Governor DeSantis proclaims September as workforce development month in Florida. The Governor’s Office, state agencies, and workforce leaders are working hard toward their 2030 goal of making Florida the best state in the nation for workforce education. Since 2019, Florida has invested more than $5 billion in workforce education initiatives. Workforce Development Month in Florida is a time to celebrate the progress toward strengthening workforce education opportunities for Floridians. Click below to learn more about local opportunities for businesses and employees.

Proposed Bill Would Modernize H-2A Worker Program

The Farm Workforce Modernization Act proposes modifying the method for calculating and making adjustments to the H-2A worker minimum wage, specifying how an employer may satisfy requirements that it attempted to recruit U.S. workers, requiring H-2A employers to guarantee certain minimum work hours, making the program available for agricultural work that is not temporary or seasonal, and reserving a visa allocation for the dairy industry.