Hundreds of businessmen and women gathered at the Airport Marriott in Orlando last week for the Commissioner’s business Recognition Awards banquet.



Men and women from all across the state were there to accept awards for their support of education from Florida Commissioner of Education Jim Horne. Among those recognized for their support of education in Florida was Hamilton County School District’s “Business Partner of the Year,” PCS Phosphate of White Springs.



PCS is a business partner in many ways, in the support of the schools and students of the community. The company has provided equipment and manpower to clear the site for the new high school, saving the district approximately $65,000. PCS employees also serve as tutors and mentors for students and many school organizations have benefited from monetary donations for various needs. A two-year vocational program has been established at HCHS in conjunction with PCS, to provide students the opportunity to learn job skills necessary for employment.



Services provided by PCS include equipment sharing, job shadowing, employability skill building and instruction delivery. Students successfully completing the program are given priority in employment opportunities at the phosphate company.



PCS, part of the largest fertilizer producer of nitrogen, phosphate and potash in the world, was also honored for being a bronze level “Patron of Education.” The award qualified PCS as a long-time supporter of excellence in education, through a host of programs in Hamilton, Suwannee and Columbia counties, where many of its employees reside.