Nominations open for 2009 Governors Business Diversification Awards

Orlando, FL - Florida businesses in emerging and high-tech industries - e.g., aviation, aerospace, homeland security, defense and life sciences - are eligible for entry into the 2009 Governors Business Diversification Awards competition.

The program spotlights companies that have contributed significantly to Floridas economic diversification efforts. Qualified entrants will have made accomplishments in at least one of these target industries:

• Aviation / Aerospace
• Clean Energy
• Financial/Professional Services
• Homeland Security / Defense
• Information Technology
• Life Sciences
• Manufacturing
• Trade / Export Services

The entry deadline is July 24 at 5 p.m. ET, and nomination forms can be obtained at www.eflorida.com/govawards or by contacting:

• Liefke Cox at 407 956-5688 or lcox@eflorida.com or
• Veronica Serrano at 407 956-5600 or GBDA@eflorida.com
  

Nominations can be made by local and regional economic development organizations and professional or industry associations. Self-nominations also are acceptable. Three awards will be given in each of the following categories:

• Governors Green-to-Gold Award - for a company, organization or institution that, through product or process, best exemplifies "green" leadership.
• Governors Business Expansion Award - for a company that expanded its Florida operations in 2008, investing capital and creating jobs for Floridians
• Governors Newcomer Award - for a new-to-Florida company that began operating in the state in 2008
• Governors Export Excellence Award - for a Florida company with a significant increase in documented export sales in 2008
• Governors Entrepreneurship Award - for a company less than five years old that sets the standard for entrepreneurship and creativity
• Governors Innovation Award - for a company, organization or institution that, through product or process, best exemplifies innovative leadership.

The winners will be announced in September and will receive their awards that month during Floridas Industry Appreciation Week.

About Enterprise Florida
Enterprise Florida, Inc. EFI is a partnership between Floridas business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, EFIs mission is to diversify Floridas economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries. In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

Media Contacts

Enterprise Florida
Stuart Doyle
407-956-5689
sdoyle@eflorida.com