Governor Crist Leads Team Florida Trade Mission to Chile

~ Promotes Florida 's role as the "Gateway to the Americas " ~

SANTIAGO , CHILE - Governor Charlie Crist yesterday arrived in Santiago , Chile , as part of Team Florida 's primary trade mission to São Paulo , Brazil .  Chile is Florida 's sixth largest trading partner in the world, with bilateral trade exceeding $4.9 billion in 2006.  Governor Crist met with Chilean government officials and business leaders with an interest in doing business with Florida . The visit to Santiago is part of a five-day trade and economic development mission, during which the Governor has met with top business leaders and senior government officials in Brazil , Argentina and Chile . 

"Chile , over the past decade, has emerged as one of Latin America's most formidable economies and one of Florida 's fastest growing business partners," said Governor Crist. "The free trade agreement signed between Chile and the U.S. provides us the platform to extend our commercial relationship with Chile , while also depending on the country as a catalyst for greater trade and investment with the South American region as a whole."

While in Santiago , Governor Crist also met with Ambassador Carlos Furche, Vice Minister of Trade for Chile , responsible for his country's trade policy implementation.  The Governor and Minister Furche discussed bilateral trade relations and strategies to further expand trade between Chile and Florida .  The Governor encouraged the Minister to visit Florida in 2008 as the head of a Chilean delegation of business leaders.

Governor Crist also met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce of Chile to discuss expanded partnerships between Florida and Chilean companies.  The American Chamber was represented by Mateo Budinich, president, and Jaime Bazán, general manager.  Business executives joining the Governor were Jorge Cauas, president of BCI Bank; Ricardo Dabler, manager of the international division of BCI Bank; and Eugenio Heiremans, president of Asociacion Chilena de Seguridad.

Following the Governor's mission to Chile , Enterprise Florida will organize two international trade development events. The ExpoSalud, an international trade exhibition to be held June, 7-9, 2008, will focus on the health technologies sector.  The Florida trade mission to Argentina and Chile will take place on October 19-25, 2008, and will consist of a number of Florida companies, with emphasis on technology and knowledge-based service sectors, seeking to promote their products and services in Chile.

Governor Crist continues to advocate for free and fair trade and has made international trade and investment a key aspect of his economic diversification efforts for Florida . Chile has maintained a dynamic relationship with Florida since the United States/Chile free trade agreement went into effect in January 2004.  Since then, bilateral trade between Florida and Chile has more than doubled.

Coordinated by Enterprise Florida Inc., the Team Florida delegation includes business and governmental leaders, as well as representatives from economic development and educational organizations.

20 Community Projects Share $76 Million in Florida Forever Grants
Florida Communities Trust announces recipients of land acquisition funds

TALLAHASSEE - The Department of Community Affairs today announced that 20 projects in communities across Florida have been awarded funds by Florida Communities Trust (FCT) to provide additional open space and create more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.  At its annual selection meeting Friday, the FCT Governing Board voted to award $76 million in Florida Forever funds for the new local land acquisition projects. When combined with local matching funds, the grants will result in more than $133.2 million for new local conservation efforts.

"I am pleased to see so many of Florida's communities submitting projects to preserve their natural, cultural and historical resources, and I applaud the grant recipients for their commitment to enrich the quality of life for all Floridians," said Governor Charlie Crist.  "Florida Communities Trust continues to make a positive impact on Florida's communities, helping to make our state a more beautiful place to enjoy for today's residents and visitors and for future generations."

In addition to the 20 approved projects, another seven projects received contingent funding, meaning they will be acquired through FCT contingent on funds becoming available.

Florida Communities Trust, the state's premier program for helping local communities preserve open space and recreational areas, receives $66 million per year through the Florida Forever program. This year the program had an additional $10 million available from funds remaining after previous acquisitions were completed. Unlike other Florida Forever programs, FCT grants are directed to projects identified by local communities to further the vision expressed in their comprehensive plans. This year, the Trust received a record 118 applications from local governments and non-profit environmental organizations seeking more than $272 million in funding from the Trust. Communities may apply for grants of up to $6.6 million.

Projects approved for the new round of funding range from $340,200 for a 9-acre parcel in Pembroke Pines (Broward County) to $6.6 million each for parks in Horseshoe Beach (Dixie County), St. Lucie County, Pine Island Preserve (Lee County) and Palm Beach County. The largest acquisition will be the Levy Prairie project in Alachua County, a 3,317-acre parcel that was approved for $3.06 million in FCT funding to be matched by $2.04 million in local funds.

"Smart community planning includes open spaces, recreation areas and waterfront access, and Florida Communities Trust plays an important role in making that possible," said Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham, who serves as chair of the FCT governing board.  "The Trust helps communities improve the quality of life for their residents and visitors alike."

The Florida Communities Trust was established to help communities protect land, waterfront access, natural areas and cultural resources. Over the past 16 years, FCT has provided Florida's communities with almost $667 million in Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever funds. Combined with local matching funds, the Trust has produced more than $1 billion for preservation of land for parks and open space across the state. The combination of FCT funds and local dollars has enabled l ocal governments to expand conservation benefits, resulting in tens of thousands of acres acquired for public use and enjoyment.

The Trust is administered by the Department of Community Affairs, which helps Florida's communities meet the challenges of growth, reduce the effects of disasters and invest in the community. For more information regarding the Department and Florida Communities Trust, please visit www.dca.state.fl.us.