County Commission to recognize local recipient of governor’s business diversification award

TAVARES — The Lake County Board of County Commissioners at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 21, will hear a presentation from Ken Knorr, President of THAT! Company, which was recently selected as one out of 18 Florida companies to receive the 2010 Governor's Business Diversification Award.

The award recognizes successful job creation and distinctive community involvement and investment efforts, many of which fall into industries Florida targets for economic diversification and high-wage job growth: aviation/aerospace, cleantech, financial/professional services, homeland security/defense, information technology, life sciences and manufacturing. Eighty-five companies competed this year. The awards will be presented Sept. 22 in Tallahassee during Florida’s Annual Industry Appreciation Week.

“We are proof positive that investments made by city and county government in local businesses pay off," said David Couch, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “THAT! Company is grateful to Lake County for its assistance in helping us achieve our business goals and creating local jobs.”

THAT! Company, also known as Buildtelligence Web Solutions, was awarded a High Value Job Creation (HVJC) Program award by the Lake Board of County Commissioners in 2009. The award of $62,000 was for the creation of 31 additional jobs.

The High Value Job Creation Program assists with stimulating short-term economic growth either by attracting new businesses to the County or by expanding existing businesses that would otherwise expand elsewhere.

“The creation of new employment opportunities for residents of Lake County and the increased tax revenues resulting from business expansion or relocation within Lake County is beneficial to the local economy,” said Dottie Keedy, Director of the Lake County Department of Economic Development & Community Services. “THAT! Company is a perfect example of how a small investment in the company by County Government is paying greater dividends for the local economy.”

For more information about the Lake County Economic Growth & Redevelopment Division, call (352) 343-9866 or log on to http://egr.lakecountyfl.gov.