Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance, June 2009
Posted on 02 July 2009 by k. a. gardner
Under discussion at the June 26, 2009 general meeting of the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance were the status of Workforce Florida training grant and upcoming trade mission to Jacksonville’s most recent sister city designation – Curitiba, Brazil.
The $50,000 $55,000 Workforce Florida grant was awarded to the Alliance in February. JAXPORT’s manager of community outreach and environmental advocacy, Joanne Kazmierski, updated current status:
Curitiba~
We will train 100 people representing corporations, small businesses and entrepreneurs in preparation for business and cultural relations with Curitaba. The classes will be held at University of North Florida. The Alliance will hire ISD [Instructional Systems Design] curriculum writers, keeping the cost between $10,000-$20,000. Lake City Community College will assist in the process. This will be a 20-hour course. There will be focus-group meetings with local corporations to determine educational needs for classes. Small-business classes start this fall – dates are to be determined. Once classes are over, Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance members will network with the class participants. Questions about training to be addressed to Joshua Rodriggs, manager of Latin American and Intermodal sales, or Joanne Kazmierski.
A job-posting forum will be developed on the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance Web site for members-only to post resumes and/or job descriptions to promote business between members and non-members in need of qualified a Brazilian workforce.
Rodriggs reported status of the first Brazilian trade mission meeting with Lad Daniels, president of First Coast Manufacturers Association. The power- point presentation for the trade mission has been presented to Mayor Peyton, which he approved. Daniels is working with Mayor Peyton’s office and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce to coordinate dates for the trip - possibly October.
In closing, the Alliance currently has a $3,000 bank account. Over $800 will be used to finalize donations to Brazil.
Rodriggs and Kasmierski will speak to Mayo Clinic about sending one of Mayo Clinic’s physicians to Brazil with this donation money for pro bono surgeries on children in need.
JULY 16TH — MARK SZAKONYI HAS AN UPDATE :
The head of a trade group devoted to stimulating trade between Jacksonville and Brazil has left the Jacksonville Port Authority to focus on the organization.
Joshua Rodriggs said he will now be able to devote more time developing business and trade opportunities through Jacksonville and the booming South American country through the Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance of Northeast Florida.
The alliance has ramped up its efforts in recent months. The alliance helped host the signing of a sister cities agreement with Jacksonville and Curitiba, Brazil. The group was also recently awarded a $55,000 grant from Workforce Florida.
The alliance has partnered with the Florida Banner Center for Logistics and Distribution, University of North Florida and Florida State College to develop curriculum and train 100 businesses in 2010. The group has also gained financial support from major companies, including Holland & Knight LLC, CSX Corp., Mayo Clinic and ICS Logistics Inc.
To find out more about the alliance’s entrepreneurship. business training and networking events, and trade missions, contact Rodriggs at (904) 703-2200 or at jrbrjax@gmail.com
The alliance’s annual meeting will be held 11:30 to 1 p.m. Aug 14 at Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Cornerstone Division office, 3rd Floor Hadlow Board Room. RSVP your attendance to info@braziljacksonville.org
Categories: Education
Companies: Holland & Knight, University of North Florida, Florida Banner Center, Brazil-Jacksonville Alliance, Jacksonville Port Authority, CSX Corp., Mayo Clinic and ICS Logistics Inc., Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tags | Jacksonville Port Authority, University of North Florida
Sounds like a great project.
Do you speak Portuguese, Weirsdo?
I think that it’s a good initiative from the Alliance to establish a real connection with Curitiba. I do celebrate this partnership that will enhance the commerce in between two cities and the rest of Brazil.
I’ve been doing business with Brazil and I think that the trade mission will bring a great outcome.
I participated in one of the focus-group meetings and probably will be in the training. I would like to taste the participation and for sure will grab something new to learn.
Good initiative and I hope a great outcome will come from it.
On a side note the name of the city in the article was mistyped as Curitaba instead of Curitiba :)
Thank you, Fabio. I’ll correct it right away.