Comments Needed on DOR Repair Parts Proposed Rule

On August 8 the Florida Department of Revenue will conduct a public workshop on proposed changes to
their rules on the sales tax exemption for manufacturing repair parts. MAF will be in attendance but we
need your input so we know what comments you would like to make. We also encourage you to attend
if this is important to you.

In talking to Jeff Soff, DOR, the reason for the rule change is to curb the abuse of the exemption. In
DOR’s opinion, manufacturers have been claiming the exemption for repair parts when they were really
using consumables. DOR would like to now make the distinction between parts and consumables.
Further, they are establishing an exemption certificate by rule for the first time for this exemption. By
using the certificate you can show it to the seller and not have to pay the tax up front. This was practice
but not backed up by law. Also, they have surveyed the other states and can share what other states are
doing regarding this exemption. Finally, DOR wants your input because if they have classified certain
parts as consumables and they are really repair parts they want you to let them know that.

The public workshop is at DOR on August 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 1220, Building One, 2450
Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL. MAF would like your comments by Friday, August 3. DOR will
take comments after the hearing as well. The hearing will be a great opportunity to discuss the matter
and make sure that parts are parts and consumables are consumables!!! If anyone would like to
volunteer to attend or help us draft comments, we would appreciate it!! All the materials were sent to
MAF members on July 27.

Accepting Sponsors and Exhibitors for MAF Summit
We are now accepting sponsors and exhibitors for the MAF Summit and Marketplace, December 6-7,
2012 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport Hotel. Forms for both are attached or you may sign up
online at www.mafmfg.com. We encourage you to invite your suppliers to exhibit. We want to make
this the premier networking opportunity for Florida manufacturers. Feel free to forward the forms to
your suppliers.

Grant Awarded UF for Starting Technology Companies
The University of Florida has received a federal five-year grant to promote the formation of technology
startup companies based on university research discoveries. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s
Economic Development Administration awarded $645,000, matched by the university over the next five
years, to UF Tech Connect which assists in commercializing university research discoveries by helping
create startup companies. During the last fiscal year, UF Tech Connect client companies created 230
new jobs and generated $180 million in private investment. The grant will allow the program to
continue this work. In the past UF Tech Connect has helped launch more than 140 startup companies,
garnering more than $800 million in private investment and creating more than 1,200 jobs.

Now Accepting Sponsors and Exhibitors for Annual Manufacturers Summit

MAF is gearing up for the MAF 9^th Annual Manufacturers Summit and Marketplace on December 6-7, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport Hotel, Orlando, FL.  We are now accepting sponsors and exhibitors for the event.  Sponsorships are available for $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000.  Premium exhibit space is available for $1,500 and other exhibit space for $999.  The earlier you sign up, the longer your name or logo will be on the MAF web page as we post our exhibitors and sponsors as soon as they sign up.  This is added value advertising for these companies.  Attached are all the materials you need to sign up.  If you have questions, contact becky@nstephens.com.

Nominate Educators and Industry Colleagues

It’s the time of year to recognize your peers and partners who contribute to the positive promotion of advanced manufacturing in Florida, preparing and supporting Florida’s ready-to-workforce.  The award represents FLATE’s commitment to recognizing education and industry colleagues who make significant contributions to technology education, outreach, and training of today’s advanced manufacturing workforce. There are three categories:

• ·         Manufacturing Secondary Educator of the Year
• ·         Manufacturing Post-Secondary Educator of the Year
• ·         FLATE Industry Distinguished Service Award

Awards are presented during the December MAF Annual Manufacturers Summit Awards Banquet in Orlando, Florida on December 6, 2012. Additional criteria and a fast and easy form is ready to use at www.fl-ate.org/awards. For additional information, please contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org

Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program Provides Immediate Financial Help to Small Businesses Impacted by TS Debby

Florida small business owners who have been impacted by Tropical Storm Debby can now apply for an expedited interest-free, short-term loan through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.  Under the program, small business owners (from 2 to 100 employees) are eligible for up to $25,000 in interest-free financial help with 90 or 180 day terms based on individual business circumstances.

The emergency short-term loans help bridge the critical gap between when a small business makes application for and secures other permanent financial recovery resources, including sufficient profits from a revived business, receipt of payments on insurance claims or federal disaster assistance.

Governor Rick Scott has allocated $10 million from the General Revenue fund for the emergency bridge loan program. The appropriation is made through a budget amendment pursuant to the Governor's emergency declaration.  The following Florida counties are currently approved for the emergency bridge loan program: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla.

To be eligible, small businesses must have been established in Florida prior to June 25, 2012, and demonstrate physical damage as a result of Tropical Storm Debby. The need for the loan and use of proceeds must be directly related to the physical damages caused by Tropical Storm Debby. Applications may be downloaded at www.floridadisasterloan.org. Once completed, applicants should contact the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at (850) 473-7800 or toll-free at (866) 737-7232 for submission instructions.  Website: www.floridasbdc.org. Applicants may also contact the SBDC Network for free help with completing the application.

 

Progress Energy and Duke Energy Have Merged
This week Progress Energy and Duke Energy announced the completion of their merger.  Combining the two companies creates the largest utility company in the United States and gives them the financial strength to meet the region’s energy needs in a reliable, affordable and environmentally sound manner. The company will continue to provide outstanding operational performance and strong customer service that customers can rely on. For now, they are still known as Progress Energy in the Florida service territory. Vinny Dolan will continue to be the state president. 

 

Short Notes

• ·         MAF members should review TMDL lists to see if their receiving water is back on the list.  Please see attached memo from Hopping Green & Sams.
• ·         The FDEP Estuary and Coastal Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development Meetings for northwest Florida have been rescheduled for July 24, 2012, 9am CDT, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District Office, 160 W. Governmental Street, Suite 308, Room 402, Pensacola, FL and July 25, 2012, 9am CDT, Gulf Coast State College, Gibson Lecture Hall, 5230 West U.S. Highway 98, Panama City, FL.

 

Florida Administrative Weekly – July 6, 2012

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: July 19, 2012, 1:30 p.m.

PLACE: Sylvan Lake Park, Conference Room, 845 Lake Markham Rd., Sanford, Florida 32771

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: This is a Public meeting to discuss issues related to the Lake Jesup Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). The BMAP is the means for implementation of the Lake Jesup Nutrient Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The primary topic of discussion during this meeting will be the BMAP annual update. A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Samantha Fillmore, Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #3565, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, (850)245-8418.

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announces a public workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: July 23, 2012, 1:00 p.m. (CDT)

PLACE: Camp Helen State Park, The Lodge, 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach, Florida 32413

DATE AND TIME: July 24, 2012, 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Carr Building, Room 170 (M&L) Training Room, 3800 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000

DATE AND TIME: July 25, 2012, 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

PLACE: Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 E. Magnolia Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114

DATE AND TIME: July 26, 2012, 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

PLACE: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Garden Center, 3109 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304

DATE AND TIME: July 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m. (EDT)

PLACE: Southwest Florida Water Management District, Sarasota Service Office, Governing Board Room, 6750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34240-9711

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: These public workshops are for the Department to present the draft statewide total maximum daily load (TMDL) of mercury to the public and obtain feedback from interested stakeholders. A revised draft TMDL document (including the main report and appendices) will be placed on the Department’s TMDL website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/tmdl/ by Friday, July 6, 2012, and will be provided upon request to interested parties by mail or via email distribution. The Department will accept written comments on the TMDL through August 27th, 2012. Written comments should be directed to: Jan Mandrup- Poulsen, Environmental Administrator, Watershed Evaluation and TMDL Section, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Mail Station #3555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400 or email: jan.mandrup-poulsen@dep.state.fl.us

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support, announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, July 24, 2012, 9:00 a.m. (CDT)

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest District Office, 160 W. Governmental Street, Suite 308, Room 502, Pensacola, Florida

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 9:00 a.m. (CDT)

PLACE: Gulf Coast State College, Gibson Lecture Hall, 5230 West US Highway 98, Panama City, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Rule development will address estuary-specific numeric nutrient standards for total nitrogen and total phosphorus for the following Panhandle estuaries: Perdido Bay, Pensacola Bay (including Escambia Bay), Choctawhatchee Bay, St. Andrews Bay, St. Joseph’s Bay, and Apalachicola Bay. The Pensacola workshop will cover the Perdido Bay, Pensacola Bay (including Escambia Bay) and Choctawhatchee Bay estuaries. The Panama City workshop will cover the St. Andrews Bay, St. Joseph’s Bay, and Apalachicola Bay estuaries. These public workshops were previously scheduled for June 26 and 27, 2012, but were postponed due to Tropical Storm Debby. A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Eric Shaw, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support, MS #6511, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850)245-8429 or email: eric.shaw@dep.state.fl.us..

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Resource Management announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: July 26, 2012, 10:00 a.m. (ET)

PLACE: This is the first of three workshops that will be broadcast via webinars. Parties can register to attend the webinar via their personal computers with audio by telephone (regular long distance telephone charges will apply) or by speakers connected to their computer (no telephone charges will apply). Webinar registration is via  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/853186642.

DATE AND TIME: August 7, 2012, 10:00 a.m. (ET)

PLACE: This is the second of three workshops that will be broadcast via webinars.

Webinar registration is via https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/678645322. 

DATE AND TIME: August 16, 2012, 10:00 a.m. (ET)

PLACE: This is the third of three workshops that will be broadcast via webinars. Webinar registration is via: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/952961026.

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: Pursuant to Section 373.4131, Florida Statutes (F.S.), as created by Chapter 2012-94, Laws of Florida (House Bill 7003), effective July 1, 2012, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in coordination with the five Water Management Districts (WMDs), is required to develop statewide environmental resource permitting (ERP) rules governing the construction, alteration, operation, maintenance, repair, abandonment, and removal of stormwater management systems, dams, impoundments, reservoirs, appurtenant works or works, or combinations thereof, to implement Part IV of Chapter 373, F.S. This rulemaking will rely primarily upon existing rules of DEP and WMDs, revised as necessary to achieve a more consistent, effective, and streamlined approach to implement the ERP program. Comments will be solicited to amend Chapter 62-330, F.A.C., an existing rule of DEP that currently incorporates by reference the rules of the WMDs used by DEP to implement its responsibilities under the ERP program. The chapter will be substantially revised to become the statewide environmental resource permitting rules.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Mary VanTassel, Department of Environmental Protection, at 2600 Blair Stone Rd., MS #2500, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850)245-8486 or e-mail: Mary.VanTassel@dep.state.fl.us. The agenda and workshop information also are on the DEP Public Notice Calendar: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/public_notices/default.htm. (OGC #12-1058).

For questions about the webinars: Jennifer Butler, (850)245-8485. DEP has established an Internet site:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/swerp/index.htm  to provide information about the rulemaking, including a link to a forum page to accept comments from the public. A link to that site also exists on the draft rules site at

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/rules_dr.htm#erp.

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: July 27, 2012, 9:30 a.m.

PLACE: Department of Environmental Protection, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 609, Tallahassee, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: This is a rule development workshop to discuss proposed changes to Chapters 62-716 and 62-722, F.A.C., in order to implement the 75% recycling goal created in Chapter 2010-143, Laws of Florida. The public may attend this meeting in person or via webinar. To join the webinar, register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/964527570. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. A draft of the proposed rule will be available at: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/solid_waste/pages/rulemaking_62-716.htm.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Suzanne Boroff, Department of Environmental Protection, MS #4555, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400, (850)245-8718 or email: Suzanne.Boroff@dep.state.fl.us.

 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support announces a workshop to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 609, Tallahassee, Florida

DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: City of Leesburg Community Center, 109 E. Dixie Avenue, Leesburg, Florida

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, August 2, 2012, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: South Florida Water Management District, Lower West Coast Service Center, Conference Room, 2301 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: To present information and receive public comments on proposed revisions to Chapters 62-302, 62-303, and 62-4, F.A.C., under the Triennial Review of state surface water quality standards. These public workshops are a follow up to public workshops held on May 15-17, 2012.  A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Eric Shaw, Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Assessment and Restoration Support, MS #6511, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, (850)245-8429 or email: eric.shaw@dep.state.fl.us. Additional information about the rulemaking may be obtained from the Department’s web site: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/index.htm.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

July 9                     MAF Summit Planning Teleconference, 2:00 pm ET.  Dial in number is 712.775.7000; PIN 317371#. Open to those interested in helping! (This is a rescheduled teleconference)

 

July 18                   MAF Workforce and Education Partners Council Teleconference, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. E.T.  Dial in number is (712) 775.7000; PIN 317371#.

 

August 16            MAF Environmental Teleconference, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. E.T., Dial in number is (712) 775.7000; PIN 317371#.

 

October 18          MAF Environmental Teleconference, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. E.T., Dial in number is (712) 775.7000; PIN 317371#

 

December 6-7   MAF Manufacturing Summit and Manufacturers of the Year Awards Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport Hotel, Orlando, FL. Now accepting sponsors and exhibitors. Go to www.mafmfg.com for more details or contact becky@nstephens.com.

 

April 12, 2012                                                                                     

 NTMA MEMBER ROY SWEATMAN APPOINTED TO U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT MANUFACTURING COUNCIL

Sweatman to Provide Voice for Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers

 Washington, DC – Roy Sweatman, President of Southern Manufacturing Technologies (SMT) in Tampa, FL, was appointed today to serve on the Manufacturing Council.  Sweatman, a member and former Chairman of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), joins 24 other U.S. manufacturing leaders as Council members.  The Council provides advice to U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson on issues related to manufacturing sector competitiveness, as well as government policies and programs that affect the industry.  Sweatman will help emphasize the necessity of designing policies that help small and medium U.S. manufacturing companies, which play a critical role in the industry.

"Small and medium manufacturers are this country’s job creators and the backbone of our communities," said Sweatman.  "As a Council member, my goal is to support policies that help small manufacturing businesses to flourish in the United States.  Policymakers and business leaders must work together on issues ranging from the shortage of skilled manufacturing workers to tax reform to ensure that small businesses are able to continue to invest in the new technologies and hire the workers that allow us to stay competitive with businesses overseas."

Roy’s company, SMT, founded in 1983,  specializes in precision machined components and assemblies primarily for the aircraft, aerospace, defense industries.  SMT was honored as the Tampa Small Business of the Year and in 2009 won the Business Excellence Award from the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance.

“NTMA congratulates Roy for this tremendous honor,” said NTMA Chairman Roger Atkins.  “Roy has been a leader in NTMA and in our industry for years.  We have benefited from his leadership, ideas and commitment to strengthening manufacturing in America, qualities that he will now be able to share with policymakers in Washington, DC.”

About NTMA: NTMA’s over 1,300 member companies design and manufacture special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, gages, special machines and precision-machined parts.  Some firms specialize in experimental research and development work as well as rapid prototyping.  Many NTMA members are privately owned small businesses, yet the industry generates sales in excess of $40 billion a year.  NTMA’s mission is to help members of the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry achieve business success in a global economy through advocacy, advice, networking, information, programs and services.

 NTMA and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) formed the "One Voice" partnership to advocate for the interests of small and medium manufacturers throughout the U.S.  Visit www.metalworkingadvocate.org for additional information on PMA and NTMA.