Cleantech

• Significant solar resources
• Leader in cellulosic biofuel production
• Hotbed of ocean energy R&D
• Growing center for advanced energy storage (battery) technologies

Life Sciences

• Internationally renowned research institutes with growing clusters of bioscience firms around them
• 850 companies specialize in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices, with plenty of room and the skilled workforce to support even more

Information Technology

• 25,000 IT companies employ nearly 240,000 workers
• Strong presence in such diverse sectors as digital media; modeling, simulation and training; photonics/optics; and mobile technologies

Aviation/Aerospace

• Nearly 2,000 Florida-based aviation and aerospace companies engage in aircraft system design, testing and production; flight training; propulsion systems; and avionics
• Numerous military installations serve as catalysts for R&D and sources of highly skilled personnel

Homeland Security / Defense

• Heavy expertise in aviation/aerospace, information technology, photonics, simulation and materials science
• Innovative companies pursuing products to secure borders and ports, detect chemical or biological contaminants, enhance cyber security and ensure rapid response to emergency situations

Financial / Professional Services

• 122,000-plus financial and professional services companies employ 837,000
• Significant exporter of knowledge-based services throughout the world

Industry clusters spawn innovation, left to right: Florida National Guard's Joint Emergency Operations Center, St. Augustine; nation's largest solar photovoltaic plant, DeSoto County; cancer drug Taxol, developed at Florida State University. [Photo: Left - Tech Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa; Center - Florida Power & Light Co.]

Tags: Business Services, Business Florida