Enterprise Florida, Royal Concrete win Trade & Industry Development’s Corporate Investment and Community Impact (CiCi) Award

ORLANDO, FL — (April 6, 2007) Trade & Industry Development has honored Enterprise Florida and Royal Concrete Concepts of Okeechobee County with a 2007 Corporate Investment and Community Impact (CiCi) Award for Community Impact.

The magazine, a leading resource on site selection and corporate growth strategies, annually presents CiCis in Corporate Investment (overall capital investment in a particular location) and Community Impact (projects with the greatest potential to have positive effects on a community or region) categories to companies that effectively invest, locate and build relationships in communities throughout North America.

“We at Royal Concrete Concepts are honored to receive this recognition from Trade & Industry Development,” said Wally Sanger, the company’s president and founder. We are anxiously anticipating our expansion into Okeechobee County as we believe this venture will promote economic growth to both the community and our company. All of us at Royal Concrete are greatly appreciative that our efforts have been realized.”

The CiCi also acknowledges the economic development organizations that have helped companies by facilitating the execution of their growth plans. The award recognizes the job creation, retention and generation of economic growth.

“This award is a good measure of our success in partnering with businesses not only to spur economic growth but to enhance the standard of living in Florida as well,” said Enterprise Florida President & CEO John A. Adams Jr. “We’re proud to have had a role in facilitating Royal Concrete’s expansion and the commendable impact it’s making in Okeechobee.”

According to Trade & Industry Development, factors considered for the CiCi include capital investment, job creation and employment and income levels for a particular region. The magazine reports that its 30 Corporate Investment and Community Impact Award winners could create more than 27,000 new jobs, retain 36,000 existing jobs and make investments of $15.4 billion (data provided by respondents, and includes estimations of future growth).

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida. Headquartered in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to diversify Florida’s 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.