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PINELLAS COUNTY, FL (Sept. 2010) – With its present 55 high-wage jobs in Pinellas County, Florida, the National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC) provides quality services including training, assessment, research and technology assistance to the justice, forensic science and military communities.  Now, the non-profit organization is ready to expand with its spin-off, the Forensic Innovation Center.  A for-profit enterprise, the Forensic Innovation Center (FIC) will add 40 new jobs paying 150% of the average annual wage in the county.

“This is an exciting time for us,” says Kevin Lothridge, CEO of NFSTC.  “With this expansion, we’ll clarify the different activities the NFSTC will do in the grant and cooperative agreement arena and the contract work the FIC will do in the for-profit sector, raise the bar on innovation and build a 40 person workforce over the next several years.”

With the assistance of Pinellas County Economic Development, Florida’s Qualified Target Industry (QTI) tax refund program will be used to relieve some of the cost of the Forensic Innovation Center development.  In partnership with the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTED),Enterprise Florida, and Pinellas County, the QTI program allows new and expanding Florida businesses in targeted, high-growth industries that create new, high-paying jobs to receive tax refunds for every new job created.

“The QTI program is a key tool in our retention and development efforts,” explains Danielle Ruiz, PCED Business Development Manager.

“With it, we can be competitive with other areas to provide employers like the FIC with a cost-effective option to expand here in Pinellas.  In this case, that means not only keeping 55 jobs, but adding another 40 science and technical positions to the area.”

The objective of the QTI program is not only to create jobs, but also to attract and retain businesses that might otherwise choose alternate locations for their projects.

Lothridge attests, “we were approached by other states for this project, but Florida’s QTI program definitely helped push Pinellas County to the top of the list for the FIC.”

A new concept, the Forensic Innovation Center will redefine forensic intelligence services, centralize innovative direction for the industry and add to the business diversity and depth in Pinellas County.  The Center’s corporate partners, Training Team Solutions and Forensic Knowledge Partnership, and local forensic service and training providers have successfully developed as a business cluster over a variety of projects.

Lothridge elaborates, “The FIC will focus on forensic intelligence solutions in applications related to crime and threats, covering the targeted areas of science, homeland security (biometrics), and training.”

The new venture will Research, Develop, Test and Evaluate (RDT&E) advanced forensic intelligence tools and systems, which are increasing in importance in relation to national security at all levels, and will be a key supporter of data sharing and knowledge exchange between government and private organizations.

“Pinellas County has been an excellent partner for NFSTC, so we’re happy to be working with them on the Forensic Innovation Center, as well,” asserts Lothridge.

“The QTI offered a terrific opportunity for the FIC to offset some expansion costs, allowing us to create more high-wage jobs and stay here in Pinellas.”

Learn more about the Forensic Innovation Center at www.the-fic.com.

How can Pinellas County Economic Development help your company grow?  Contact us at (727) 464-7332 to explore the options, or visit us at www.PCED.org