Press Release – L3I Receives Business Diversification Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Crystal Stiles, Marketing & PR Manager
772-221-1380 office
772-341-2548 cell
crystal@bdbmc.org

Martin County Targeted Companies Receive Coveted
Governor’s Business Diversification Awards
Martin County receives most awards in the state for third consecutive year

STUART, FL (August 31, 2010) – The Business Development Board of Martin County (BCBMC) today received word that four (4) Martin County companies are recipients of the 2010 Governor’s Business Diversification Awards, a statewide program that recognizes Florida companies in emerging and high-technology industries for their contributions to Florida’s economic growth. Coordinated by Enterprise Florida, the awards presentation is held by the Governor annually during Florida’s Industry Appreciation Week (September 20-24, 2010) in Tallahassee.

The 2010 winners of Governor’s Business Diversification Awards from Martin County are UCT Coatings, Inc. in the Innovation category; Level 3 Inspection, LLC in the Entrepreneurship category; Gulfstream Aluminum and Shutter Corporation in the Export Excellence category; and Liberator Medical Supply, Inc. in the Business Expansion category.

Companies that vied for the Governor’s Business Diversification Awards competed with other companies, organizations, universities and colleges in markets similar to their own size. The market classifications were: Mid Market (county population up to 75,000); Major Market (county population 75,001 to 750,000); and Mega Market (county population 750,001 and higher).

Martin County was the only county in the state to have four award winners. This is the third consecutive year that Martin County had more award winners than any other county in Florida and the fourth consecutive year that Martin County companies received awards. In 2007, Elliott Energy MicroTurbines, now Calnetix Power Solutions, received the Governor’s Business Diversification Award in Export Excellence. In 2008, Sol, Inc. (Export Excellence); Advanced Technologies Group, Inc. (Innovation); and Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. (Green-To- Gold) received Governor’s awards in the noted categories. Winners for 2009 were Waterblasting Technologies, Inc. (Export Excellence); SystemsOne, LLC (Entrepreneurship); Seatorque Control Systems, LLC (Business Innovation); and CSA International, Inc. (Green-To-Gold).

“It is an unprecedented honor to have more award-winning companies that any other county in the state for the third consecutive year. This is a testament to a strong base of innovation and entrepreneurship that thrives in Martin County.” remarked Ron Bunch, executive director of the Business Development Board of Martin County, who facilitated applications for all the companies and authored letters of support to the Governor. “We are extremely proud of UCT Coatings, Level 3 Inspection, Gulfstream Aluminum, and Liberator Medical for their outstanding impact on the economy of Martin County and their dedication to innovation and expansion. We wish them much continued success.”

Governor Charlie Crist designated the week of September 20-24 as Business Appreciation Week. As part of the celebration, the BDBMC will host a luncheon on September 24 that will recognize the many contributions of local, existing companies from within targeted industry sectors. These companies provide quality jobs, help expand the local tax base and help drive positive economic activity in virtually all sectors of our local economy.

About the Award Recipients

UCT Coatings (Innovation) – A Florida company since 2000, UCT Coatings currently employs 40 people in their facility on Jack James Drive in Stuart. UCT Coatings' surface engineering products transform the performance of hardware across many different marketplace segments. Its hard, durable, damage tolerant coatings are used in and are in development for the Defense, Forestry, Aerospace, Industrial Tooling, Oil & Gas, Automotive, Clean Energy, Marine, and Medical fields. A brand new state-of-the-art facility is being constructed in Palm City, FL that is fully automated, large scale, and class-leading in all respects. New high paying, high tech jobs are being created and retained in the area to sustain operations, continue to develop new, valuable technology, and support the company's growth. www.uctcoatings.com

Level 3 Inspection, LLC (Entrepreneurship) – Martin County welcomed Level 3 Inspection to the county this year, when the company announced plans to hire 33 new employees and invest nearly $1 million in its new location in Sawgrass Business Center. Level 3 Inspection is the most proficient user of the 21st century measurement and inspection technologies of 3D White Light Scanning (WLS) and Computer Aided Inspection (CAI). The company pioneered much of the development of these tools, for world-class OEM and supply chain clientele. Level 3 Inspection boasts multiple patent applications in process. www.level3inspection.com

Gulfstream Aluminum and Shutter Corporation (Export Excellence) – Gulfstream Aluminum has been in Florida since 1979 and currently employs 50 people in Stuart. The company exports 15% of its manufactured hurricane shutters to the Caribbean and Bermuda. Gulfstream is active in the Martin County community, as members of the Stuart-Martin County Chamber of Commerce and Treasure Coast Builder’s Association. They have been family-owned and operated since their beginning over 30 years ago. www.gulfshutters.com

Liberator Medical Supply, Inc. (Business Expansion) – Liberator Medical Supply has announced two expansions in as many years in Martin County. Just this year, they leased Building 30 at Witham Field, invested significantly in building improvements, and added 171 new employees. This expansion brings their total employment to 209 full-time employees with hiring continuing. Liberator Medical was launched in 2000 as a mail order and retail medical supply firm, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberator Medical Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: LBMH). The company offers more than 5,000 products to Medicareeligible patient populations with chronic conditions requiring repeat orders of maintenance supplies. www.liberatormedical.com

About the BDBMC

The Business Development Board of Martin County is the county’s official economic development organization, and Enterprise Florida, Inc. partner. More information about the organization can be found by visiting www.bdbmc.org.

About Enterprise Florida

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 privatesector businesses.

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