Northwest: Right Time, Right Place

This region grows new business with solid connections and plenty of room.

Christine Jordan Sexton | 9/24/2009

TALLAHASSEE/LEON COUNTY

Training to fit industry needs: The $20-million Advanced Manufacturing Training Center opening in January 2010 at Tallahassee Community College focuses on curriculum to prepare a ready pool of technically trained candidates for general and/or aviation-based manufacturing companies in the county.

Dr. Ben Wang, director of the High-Performance Materials Institute at Florida State University, leads a team of students, researchers and faculty that is nationally recognized for its innovative work with nanofiber buckypapers.
[Photo: Ray Stanyard]

Nanotechnology is the draw: Florida State University’s $21-million High-Performance Materials Institute has opened in Innovation Park, and early-stage manufacture of the sheets of carbon nanotubes known as “buckypaper’’ is under way. Ten times lighter than steel but up to 500 times stronger, this material has applications in dozens of industries. Several companies have already expressed interest in relocating to Tallahassee to take advantage of this emerging nanotechnology that could change the way that airplanes, cars and computers are manufactured and electricity is produced.

Recycling pays off: Southern Leon County is the site of a new recycling operation. Marpan Recycling is a Class III facility (it accepts most materials, from construction and demolition debris to leaves, grass, tree trimmings and traditional household trash). The $5.5-million plant can handle up to 500 tons of debris a day, operating as many as 309 days out of the year. Kim Williams, president and majority owner, expects first-year revenues of between $2 million and $3 million, but operating at full capacity, with about 20 employees, the company should take in more than $5 million. Marpan Supply, the parent company, which hauls debris for commercial customers, will be the plant’s largest customer, having paid more than $1 million last year in landfill tipping fees alone.

« PREVIOUS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Tags: Business Florida, Northwest

A Florida health provider says better building design can help patients heal

FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools

Florida home values have more than doubled in the past decade

Sunshine State manufacturing is a powerhouse, rivals tourism

Florida Business News

A Flamingo flock inspires hope. Have the rare birds returned to the Everglades for good?
For the last century, flamingos in Florida were more likely to be spotted on T-shirts and cups in a souvenir shop than flapping around in the wild. Suddenly, that might be changing.
Florida’s home insurance industry may be worse than anyone realizes
Nearly 20% of the companies doing business in Florida that were rated as financially stable went insolvent during the period 2009 to 2022.
Florida adds restrictions to dairy cows to prevent bird flu
As the federal government brings tougher regulations to cattle farms to prevent the spread of H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, Florida has imposed its own restrictions on cattle brought into the state.
Florida cities among cleanest areas for air quality in U.S.
Florida cities are pretty clean compared to many metropolises in other states, according to the newest American Lung Association “State of the Air” report.
Money to harden your home? Florida program is changing. Here’s how.
Good news for Florida homeowners: The popular state program that awards up to $10,000 to harden your home is being renewed this year, and it now includes condominiums.