BUSINESS BRIEFS
Grant money available

Florida's Great Northwest is pleased to announce the availability of $2.75 million in grant funding to support training expenses for newly-created high skill, high wage positions in Northwest Florida. The funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Labor WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grant awarded to the organization in 2006, funding Florida's Great Northwest's WIRED Northwest Florida Initiative.

Grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 per qualified position are available to businesses within the targeted industries of aerospace and defense, life sciences, information technology, renewable energy and construction services (commercial, infrastructure or industrial) that create and sustain new positions that meet specified wage and benefit requirements. The maximum grant award is $500,000.

Since the program's inception in 2006, eight companies in Northwest Florida applied for and were awarded a total of $947,000 to assist with training expenses related to personnel expansion.

Qualified businesses interested in obtaining more information on the Employee Skills Training grant opportunity offered by Florida's Great Northwest are encouraged to contact the organization at 850- 337-3469 or visit www.FloridasGreatNorthwest.c om. Green serves as moderator

Jim Green, partner with Green and Bradford, PA, recently returned from the 23rd Annual Workhorse Seminar sponsored by the Florida Justice Association. Held at the Walt Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Green was the moderator for the Product Liability Session.

As moderator, he directed the session on how to prepare and try a case involving a defective product, which in turn injured someone.

The Florida Justice Association is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida's civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida's citizens and consumers.