Governor Scott said, “Our goal is for Florida to be the number one destination for jobs in the world. In order to achieve our goal, we have to make investments that will attract new businesses to our state and allow existing businesses to continue to grow. Our “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget not only focuses on attracting and retaining businesses, but also invests in workforce training, increasing tourists to our state and expanding our export market.”

DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio said, “DEO is committed to supporting and implementing the pro-growth policies and programs that set the stage for economic growth in Florida. Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working’ Budget represents a continuation of this Administration’s commitment to making investments that grow jobs, enhance the labor force, and improve communities. These funding proposals will help Florida sustain its nation-leading economic turnaround.”
 

Highlights from the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget include:

$122.4 million to Support Economic Development Public-Private Partnerships

Governor Scott recommends $122.4 million for Economic Development Public-Private Partnerships, which include Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA, and Space Florida. Each of these partners plays a vital role in Florida’s continued success in developing the nation’s best 21^st century economy.
 

$85 million for Economic Development Incentives to Create Opportunities for Floridians

Governor Scott continues his commitment to growing and diversifying Florida’s economy by proposing $85 million in funds focused on various economic development programs, incentives, and activities to recruit new businesses to Florida. A strong, well-funded incentives program is a key tool for effectively competing for job-creating business relocations and expansions. This funding will ensure Florida is able to address specific needs as they arise for projects, resulting in new job creation and capital investment.

A core principle of the state’s economic development incentive program is that, whenever possible, state investments are made based on verified performance, meaning no tax dollars are paid until job creation or capital investment numbers are audited and confirmed. All incentive agreements have clawbacks and sanctions to ensure taxpayer dollars are protected. Incentive agreement requirements are typically phased in and met over multiple years, and performance is measured and verified annually to ensure progress.

Secretary of Commerce and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida Gray Swoope said, “Governor Scott continues to stress the importance of job creation in Florida and his efforts to fund economic development are critical to the state’s ability to remain competitive. His support of the state’s financial incentives toolkit and the Team Florida Partnership’s marketing campaign will allow Florida to win projects and bring more jobs to the state.”

Alan Becker, EFI Board of Directors Vice Chair and founding shareholder at the Law Firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. said, “As Florida continues to invest in economic development we will see our economy continue to thrive and more jobs being created. Governor Scott's top priority is job creation and this means attracting major projects. This budget will allow us to compete aggressively and market the business advantages of Florida.”
 

$85 million for Tourism Means Jobs for Florida Families

As the state’s number one industry, tourism brings tens of millions of visitors and billions of dollars to Florida each year. Through the first three quarters of 2014, Florida welcomed an estimated 73.9 million visitors – an increase of 2.5 percent over the same period last year. The state is on pace for its third consecutive year of record tourism. In an effort to continue this growth, the Governor’s budget proposes an additional $35 million for VISIT FLORIDA to expand its contribution to Florida’s economic growth, bringing its total funding to $85 million, which is included in the $122.4 million for Economic Development Public-Private Partnerships. With this funding, VISIT FLORIDA will be able to market the Sunshine State year round to domestic visitors, increase marketing to international visitors, and assist communities in attracting direct international air service to Florida.

Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA said, "The Governor's funding recommendation will allow VISIT FLORIDA to position the Sunshine State as the No. 1 travel destination in the world.  Increased funding for VISIT FLORIDA will build on record visitation, and will benefit Floridians and visitors alike as we know that every 85 visitors creates one new job."
 

$42.1 million to Train Florida’s Workforce for the STEM Economy

Governor Scott recommends $30 million for workforce training focused on STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and other high-skill, high-wage occupations. This funding will make training available for occupations that require less than a bachelor’s degree and will be available to both businesses seeking employees and individuals seeking occupations in those fields.

The Governor also recommends continuing the funding for the Quick Response Training Grant Program at $12.1 million. Quick Response Training (QRT) grants, administered by CareerSource Florida, provide funding for customized training to new or expanding businesses. Through this customer-driven program, Florida is able to effectively retain and attract businesses creating new high-quality jobs. The grants are structured to be flexible and "respond quickly" to meet a business’s training objectives.

CareerSource Florida Board Chairman Dwayne Ingram, CEO of IT Capital Services, said, “Governor Rick Scott is to be commended for his ongoing emphasis on the critical importance of investment in education and workforce training in his ‘Keep Florida Working’ Budget. The Governor’s focus on STEM education, industry partnership and cutting-edge training opportunities is vital to ensuring the success of Florida’s businesses and communities, now and in the future.”

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Chris Hart IV said, “We applaud Governor Rick Scott for again prioritizing Florida’s students – our future workforce – and the needs of employers both today and tomorrow. The Governor’s ‘Keep Florida Working’ Budget further demonstrates his commitment to strengthening Florida’s standing as the global leader for talent.”
 

$1 million to support export diversification and expansion programs

The Governor’s budget recommendations include $1 million for Export Diversification and Expansion programs. Specifically, these funds would be used to help current small and mid-size Florida businesses identify new export markets for their goods through Target Sector Grants, and help develop strategies to enter in to new markets through the Export Marketing Plans Program. Both of these programs are designed to enhance Florida’s strong export sector. Businesses that export their goods grow 15 percent faster, pay 18 percent higher wages, and are less susceptible to domestic economic downturn.
 

$100.8 million for increasing affordable housing opportunities for Floridians

Governor Scott’s budget recommendations include $100.8 million to support the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) and State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) programs. SAIL provides low interest loans on a competitive basis to developers of affordable rental housing. The SHIP program provides funds to local governments, on a population based formula, as an incentive to produce and preserve affordable housing for very low, low, and moderate income families.

“Governor Scott continues to demonstrate his commitment to affordable housing in our state through his funding recommendations, which encourage public-private partnerships using programs with proven track records of success,” said Steve Auger, executive director for Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing). “Providing a range of affordable housing opportunities—both for homeownership and rental housing development—helps to ensure that communities in Florida are great places in which to live, work and do business.”

Brian Lamb, EFI Board member and President and CEO of Fifth Third Bank (North Florida) said, “Florida’s economy has enjoyed a positive turnaround thanks to Governor Scott’s leadership. His budget makes it clear that he continues to be focused on positioning Florida as a top business destination in the US and globally and I applaud his recommendations.”

Belinda Keiser, EFI Board member and Vice Chancellor of Keiser University said, “Governor Scott has tirelessly made Florida’s economy his first priority in order to make Florida the best place to live and work. The Governor’s budget continues his efforts and will undoubtedly assist economic development and job creation efforts across the state.”

Carol Craig, EFI Board member and Founder & CEO of Craig Technologies said, “Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working’ budget makes major investments in economic development that will help attract even more companies to Florida. EFI and its Board are working every day to bring more jobs to the state, and these investments will help us to create more opportunities for Florida families.”

“Governor Rick Scott’s initiatives have helped create more than 728,000 private-sector jobs and continue to move Florida in the right direction,” said David Hart, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, “The Florida Chamber supports Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working’ budget because it will keep Florida’s families, businesses, and communities competitive.”

Tom Feeney, President and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida, said, “Governor Scott’s proposed state budget is worthy of praise as a commitment to job creation in Florida’s private-sector. We look forward to working with his administration in the coming months to advocate for these budget priorities so Florida can become the best state for business."

Bill Herrle, Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida (NFIB), said, "Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working Budget’ is lauded by NFIB as a strong, pro-business budget with a focus on job creation and growth. Governor Scott understands the role that small businesses have in job growth, and it is reflected in his budget proposal.”

Doug Wheeler, President and CEO of the Florida Ports Council, said, “Growing trade in Florida through our ports creates high-skill, high-wage jobs, and the Governor’s ‘Keep Florida Working’ Budget shows why this is a top priority.  We applaud the commitment and dedication by Governor Scott to strategically invest in Florida’s ports and freight infrastructure to attract global business which will provide jobs and economic benefits to Florida families.”

Nancy Stephens, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of Florida, said, “The Manufacturers Association of Florida is grateful for Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working Budget’ as closing the manufacturing skills gap is again a top priority this legislative session. Manufacturing jobs are high-skill, high-wage jobs that will be enhanced by the budget’s devotion to workforce development and training. ”

Rick McAllister, President and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said, “Governor Scott’s leadership has helped to create more than 700,000 jobs, and Florida’s retailers applaud his commitment to the people of our state. We are pleased to see Governor Scott’s continued commitment to job creation and look forward to working with him to ensure Florida is a great place for families to live and work.”

Amy Evancho, President and CEO of the Florida Economic Development Council, said, “I applaud Governor Scott’s budget proposal, as it shows leadership and commitment to job creation and development. Business friendly policies paired with a growing, trained workforce will continue to drive Florida’s economic success.”

Lance Lozano, Chief Operating Officer of the Florida United Businesses Association, said, “The Florida United Businesses Association praises Governor Scott’s recognition that private sector business growth will lead the way to statewide job creation.  The ‘Keep Florida Working Budget’ focuses on creating jobs for a growing and developing workforce, perpetuating the fact that Florida is the best state in which to do business.”

Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said, “After a record year for tourism, Governor Scott’s ‘Keep Florida Working Budget’ renews his commitment to Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry. The industry generates billions of dollars in revenue and provides diverse job opportunities for hard working Floridians and their families. Through public investments coupled with the momentum of private industry, we can ensure millions of visitors will continue to enjoy Florida’s world-class hotels, restaurants and attractions.”

Frank DiBello, President of Space Florida, said, “We continue our pursuit of successful and emerging companies who are increasingly recognizing the importance of Florida as a location for their research, development and advanced manufacturing.  With this budget proposal, the Governor is sending a message that Florida is the right destination for companies seeking the supportive business environment, high-skilled workforce and depth of supply chain to drive their next-generation products in space and aerospace."

View the entire “Keep Florida Working” budget at: http://www.keepfloridaworking.com/.

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities.  For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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