Daily Archives: September 28, 2012

Business

FRA Supports Kenya Campaign against Illegal Logging

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A move in Kenya to strengthen laws that prohibit illegal logging has been praised by Forestry Research Associates (FRA). The Kenya Forestry services is arranging for timber and charcoal dealers across the globe to work together to outlaw the illegal practise. The Kenya Forestry Services Act stipulates that anybody engaging in cutting timber or burning charcoal unlawfully will be fined Kshs 50,000.

Seattle, United States, September 28, 2012 — A move in Kenya to strengthen laws that prohibit illegal logging has been praised by Forestry Research Associates (FRA). The Kenya Forestry services is arranging for timber and charcoal dealers across the globe to work together to outlaw the illegal practise. The Kenya Forestry Services Act stipulates that anybody engaging in cutting timber or burning charcoal unlawfully will be fined Kshs 50,000.

FRA advocates sustainable forestry in all its forms and supports environmental conservation and the international requirement of ten per cent tree cover, which Kenya is working towards.

Africa has made great improvements in its green policies in recent times and this latest campaign encourages local people to work with Kenya Forest Services (KFS) and Community Forest Associations (CFA) to embrace conservation.

Busia County Forestry Services Coordinator James Were points out that the Forestry Act amendment of 2005 requires formation of registered groups to deal in charcoal and timber. “Anyone caught masquerading in the timber business without a license of origin from KFS, will face the law non-selectively,” he said.

The Kenya government policy supports commercial forestry either by individuals or groups as long as green measures are adhered to. Timber investment is growing in popularity across the globe and FRA recommends sustainably managed plantations, such as the Greenwood Management scheme operated in Brazil.

Here, investors can strengthen their portfolio and snap up a piece of forestry land for as little as $10,000, which is a lot less than is involved when buying forestry independently. Greenwood manage these plantations and support the local community by offering jobs.

“Demand for timber is rising and this is an investment that can help you beat inflation,” said FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. “Alternative investments are becoming more popular and the Kenyan government’s green policies prove that it is essential to work with companies that actively advocate sustainable forestry.”

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

Nova Southeastern University Launches $50 Million Coral Reef Research Center in Hollywood, Fla.; saves thousands with FPL’s Economic Development Rate

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FPL offers discounts off its already-low business rates that are among the very lowest in the state and well below the national average as part of the company’s ongoing effort to support Florida’s future by helping businesses power economic growth.

Juno Beach, FL (September 28, 2012) — Nova Southeastern University (NSU) opened its new $50 million Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems Research, the largest facility of its kind in the country, on Sept. 27 in Hollywood, Fla.

The Center qualified for Florida Power & Light Company’s specially discounted economic development rate new or expanding businesses that meet certain minimum requirements in terms of jobs created and added energy usage, which will save tens of thousands of dollars on electric bills over four years.

At a price tag of $50 million, the Center has created 22 new academic jobs and 300 construction jobs, and it will employ 50 graduate students as well as preserving 22 existing academic jobs.

“Reefs across the world are under extreme threat from both global and local stressors. Research is urgently needed for improved understanding, management, and conservation. Our research is funded by grants and contracts, and conducted in a state-of-the-art facility right here in South Florida,” said NSU President George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D. “We are grateful for this discounted rate because savings in operational expenses translates into an increased ability to keep our tuition competitive for our students and conduct research activities that help benefit society.”

Protecting coral reefs also helps to protect the livelihoods of thousands of South Floridians. Florida is home to 84 percent of the nation’s reef ecosystems. These ecosystems contribute more than $6 billion annually to South Florida’s economy and contribute to a total of roughly 71,000 tourism, government, academic and research-related jobs, according to NSU.

“We are very pleased that our economic development rate was able to help support NSU’s efforts to grow their program and create jobs while also helping to protect the coral reefs that are crucial to the environment and Florida’s economy,” said Pam Rauch, FPL’s vice president of development and external affairs.

FPL offers discounts off its already-low business rates that are among the very lowest in the state and well below the national average as part of the company’s ongoing effort to support Florida’s future by helping businesses power economic growth. Businesses eligible for FPL’s economic development rate receive a discount on their standard base energy and demand charges over four to five years. Visit http://www.PoweringFlorida.com for more information.

For more information on the Center, visit http://www.nova.edu/ocean/excellence or contact Ken Ma, NSU associate director of public affairs, at ken.ma@nova.edu or 954-621-7961. For more information on how to support the Center, contact Wendy Wood-Derrer, NSU-OC assistant director of development, at wendyw@nova.edu or 954-262-3617.

About Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest electric utility in Florida and one of the largest rate-regulated utilities in the United States. FPL serves 4.5 million customer accounts in Florida and is a leading employer in the state with approximately 10,000 employees. The company consistently outperforms national averages for service reliability while customer bills are below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla. – based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit http://www.FPL.com.

Media Contact:
FPL Media Line
Florida Power & Light Company
700 Universe Blvd.
Juno Beach, FL 33408
305-552-3888
amelia.gomez@rbbpr.com
Visit http://www.PoweringFlorida.com for more information.

Business

ChemBlend Int’l’s (CBI) Partner Seatex LTD. Set to Introduce Problend® at ISSA Interclean Chicago for Qualified Service Providers

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ChemBlend Int’l (CBI) facilitated by Seatex LTD. will introduce their innovative brand “Problend®” program at this year’s ISSA Interclean Conference in Chicago October 17-19th. The Problend brand promises to provide new value added program for qualified service providers and distributors.

Houston, Texas, September 27, 2012 – Based in Houston Texas, ChemBlend Int’l (CBI) facilitated by Seatex LTD. is an industry leader providing turnkey chemical compounding, and private label packaging services. The company is a registered blending facility for the EPA, FDA, NSF, Kosher, UL, Green Seal, DfE, and CRI that maintains the highest standards to meet various industry product certifications. The new Problend Brand Program is designed to partner with service providers who already service the following target markets: Warewash, Hand Care, Housekeeping, Laundry and Floor Care.

ChemBlend Int’l is set to attend ISSA Interclean North America in Chicago this October 16-19th, and will roll out their new innovative Problend Brand marketing partnership with established service providers. Service providers are invited to stop by and meet CBI at their booth #1938 at the ISSA Interclean conference. Problend CBI representatives will help assess the future marketing and sales support requirements for qualified service providers, who want to compete on name recognition, innovative solutions, value added benefits and unmatched product quality as opposed to just solely on price.

According to Scott Childers, Vice President of Sales for Commercial Services, “we are excited to meet and introduce our CBI Sales and Marketing Program to service provider companies who are emerging and already have services in place and ideally are looking to expand their market in one of the 5 target areas. We are looking to uncover candidates for our Problend Program, which is poised to launch in the 4th quarter of 2012.”

Childers goes on to say about their new branding program, “We believe our support system and customer centric approach is what will set this program apart from other providers within the industry. There are a number of service providers for example that aren’t as familiar with selling solids. This is an area that the Problend Program specializes and excels. Our goal is to help our service providers win and bring in new sales opportunities and diversify their growing book of business while at the same time using the service provider or distributors company name and identity with a brand, ProBlend.”

The Problend Partnership Program also helps service providers negotiate contracts and better rates for vendors and products by offering the services of a General Purchasing Organization (GPO).

According to Childers, this innovative program provides two competitive advantages for service providers:

1. It provides a turnkey solution for service providers to market with a custom brand built starting day one.

2. Help service providers gain better penetration within their markets and expand their existing services and sales with ChemBlend Int’l innovative products and Co-branded products. This is revolutionary in the industry.

Kelly Aimes President of Seatex says, “our ideal candidate for our Problend Program are service providers who are already well structured, service oriented, have available warehousing and are ready to grow and expand their existing book of products and services. At ISSA Interclean, we are looking to interview select service providers and who would then qualify to become a candidate for the Problend brand system. We plan to pre-qualify, interview, assess and then introduce to the right candidates how we can help them grow with the appropriate products, support and tools.”

Aimes invites providers to their booth #1938 while at the ISSA Interclean Chicago event to determine whether they are a good candidate match for the Problend Program.
Tom, VP of New Business Development, had this to say about the Problend Brand Program, “Most service providers just compete on price and although price is a factor, we also believe that in order to grow one’s business you must also offer innovation.” Innovative products that help service providers sell, diversify and penetrate new markets, means that service providers do not only have to compete on price, adds Tom.

To learn more about ChemBlend Int’l partner Seatex LTD and its’ Problend Brand please click here now:
http://www.seatexcorp.com/products/Problend-commercial-series/pro-blend-overview

Also, register to dine with the Problend Team while at the ISSA Interclean in Chicago:

On Wednesday evening, Oct. 17th. for qualified candidates attending the ISSA Interclean event and who would like to learn more about the Innovative ProBlend Commercial Series Marketing Program, there will be a special dinner held to meet with the Problend team.

In order to attend, registration is required. Visit the link, complete the form and then stop by Booth #1938 to pickup your reservation ticket! http://problendcommercial.com/ISSA/landing/problend-commercial

Media Contact:
Scott Childers
Seatex LTD., Problend®
445 TX-36,
P.O Box D
Rosenberg, TX 77471 
P: 713.357.5300
http://www.SeatexCorp.com

Education

Bryant & Stratton College Online Named as Military Friendly School

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Only 15 Percent of American Higher Education Institutions Awarded This Distinction in the 2013 List Released by Victory Media and G.I. Jobs Magazine

Buffalo, NY, September 26, 2012 – Bryant & Stratton College Online, a premier online school, is once again on the list of Military Friendly Schools published annually by Victory Media and G.I. Jobs Magazine. Only 15 percent of U.S. higher education institutions were named to the 2013 list, which honors the colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to advance the education of America’s military service members, veterans and families and their academic success. The list highlights schools with world-class programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation, credit policies, flexibility and other services for students that are active duty, veterans or family members of military.

“We are honored to once again be on the list of Military Friendly Schools and to be recognized for our efforts to serve military students, military spouses and their families,” said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. “We are dedicated to maintaining a high level of academics and services for all our students, but recognize that often military families have unique circumstances that require additional support. Through support groups, online resources and staff dedicated to the needs of military families we strive to address their specific needs.”

Bryant & Stratton College has a strong reputation with military service members, veterans and their families, including:

Salute to Spouses:
Salute to Spouses is a scholarship program that allows military spouses to receive up to $6,000 toward online degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College. Since its launch, Salute to Spouses has expanded, launching a career and education resource website for military spouses, written and edited by military spouses. For military spouses pursuing an associate’s degree, the scholarship can be combined with MyCAA benefits, or the scholarship can be applied toward an online bachelor’s degree program at Bryant & Stratton College as well as at selected campuses. Additionally, eligibility is not limited by pay grade. More information, including the application form, is available at www.SalutetoSpouses.com.

Military Relations Manager:
MAJ (Ret.) Ed Dennis serves as military relations manager at Bryant & Stratton College Online. Ed’s primary role is to provide assistance to service members seeking information about higher education and to work with branches of the military to help students understand the opportunities that are available to them through Bryant & Stratton College Online. Ed started at Bryant & Stratton in July 2010 after recently retiring from the Army with 21 years of service. His extensive knowledge and first-hand experience with the armed forces brings invaluable expertise to Bryant & Stratton about what active-duty and veteran military students need.

Bryant & Stratton College has 18 campuses across New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin and offers programs nationwide through its Online Education division. For information about the specific resources and programs available to active duty service members, veterans and family members of the military at each of its campus locations, visit www.bryantstratton.edu for contact information.

The list of Military Friendly Schools was compiled from research and a data-driven survey of more than 12,000 VA-approved schools nationwide. The rankings also incorporate a survey from more than 3,000 student veterans. This is the fourth year for the list, and each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard over the previous year. The survey results were independently tested by Ernst & Young LLP based upon the weights and methodology established by G.I. Jobs.

To learn more about the Military Friendly School designation visit http://militaryfriendlyschools.com/.

About Bryant & Stratton College Online:
Bryant & Stratton College is a private career college delivering outcomes based education and training through a flexible, contemporary curriculum in a personalized environment.  The College is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and has locations in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as an Online Education division, and a Professional Skill Center. For over 155 years, Bryant & Stratton College has been providing real world education leading to bachelor’s and associate’s degrees and professional certificates. Bryant & Stratton College Online offers five online bachelor’s degree programs, eleven online associate’s degree programs and eleven online certificate programs in a variety of fields including business, criminal justice, financial services, healthcare, human resources and information technology. Some online programs are not yet available in all states. For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of graduates and other important information, please visit www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.  General information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degrees can also be found at www.online.bryantstratton.edu.

Contact:
Kavitha Thimmaiah
Communications Strategy Group
3225 East 2nd Avenue
Denver, CO 80206
303.433.7020
kthimmaiah@csg-pr.com
http://www.csg-pr.com