Governor Rick Scott awards local business for hiring disabled

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Two businesses from St. Petersburg and Pasco County are getting special recognition for their commitment to hiring people with disabilities.

Thursday Gov. Rick Scott helped hand out awards to Florida businesses for their efforts to employ people with disabilities.

The Sirata Beach Resort in St. Petersburg and Habitat for Humanity in Pasco County were both honored at the annual Exceptional Employer Awards ceremony.

Lenne Nicklaus-Ball of the Sirata Beach Resort says her business gets a lot of employees from the Vincent House in Pinellas Park. Vincent House helps rehabilitate people with mental illness and finds them jobs.

Nicklaus-Ball says the Sirata is proud to have these workers on staff.

“They’re very loyal and they’re happy to be working with you and they have a great attitude and once they get in a place where they feel secure they really shine, especially with us in tourism. They really represent the Sirata well," said Nicklaus-Ball.

Thursday’s ceremony honored seven businesses around Florida. All received awards from the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.