Top 10 Reasons To Do Business in Florida

Florida's State Capitol, Tallahassee

1| Technology Leadership

With 21,000 high-tech companies employing 276,400 highly skilled workers, Florida leads the Southeast in technology-driven businesses and represents a growing presence in many cutting-edge economy sectors, including life sciences, information technology and telecommunications.

2| Global Gateway

The right combination of geographic location, economic clout and political stability make Florida the center of trade and finance for the Western Hemisphere. In 2006, Florida’s total international merchandise trade grew to nearly $110 billion, a 15.2% increase fueled in part by a multicultural, multilingual workforce that is highly adept at facilitating international commerce.

3| Entrepreneurial Environment

The U.S. Small Business Administration puts Florida among the top three most highly efficient states in fostering the birth of new businesses. And no wonder. In addition to the Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center, Florida is home to a variety of high-tech incubators, accelerators and university-based research hubs that make possible the kind of business and academic partnerships needed to bring new discoveries out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

4| Global Connectivity

With one of the world’s most extensive multimodal transportation systems, including 21 major airports, 14 deepwater seaports, a vast network of highway and railway connections and Kennedy Space Center’s one-of-a-kind Spaceport, Florida’s connections to the world are difficult to match. And with multiple hubs making high-speed voice and video transmission possible from around the U.S. to Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, Florida is truly “wired for success.”

5| Business Climate

Florida consistently ranks among
the top pro-business states in the nation for its business-friendly tax codes and commitment to providing incentives for job creation, capital investment, training and location in designated rural and urban Enterprise Zones. Expedited permitting services and assistance in accessing enterprise bonds, micro-loans and venture capital further contribute to Florida’s reputation as a great place to do business.

6| Workforce Talent

Florida offers a diverse and available workforce, including the influx of thousands of high quality graduates from Florida’s public and private colleges and universities each year. And now, thanks to the newly created network of Employ Florida Banner Centers, new and incumbent workers at all experience levels have ready access to training in the skills needed most by industries deemed critical to growing Florida’s economy. Each Banner Center provides industry-specific training and serves as a clearinghouse for employers needing workers with the most up-to-date skills.

7| Business-Friendly Government

Thanks to the interactive website MyFlorida.com, many business-oriented functions of state and local government are readily accessible online. Continuing communication between legislators and key business sector associations, such as Florida Aviation Aerospace Alliance, BioFlorida, Florida Defense Alliance, IT Florida and Florida Space Authority, helps to ensure a pro-business, pro-technology agenda for policy making and business climate improvement.

8| Quality of Life

The combination of sunshine, outstanding recreational amenities and economic opportunity has helped put Florida at the top of Harris Poll’s “most desirable places to live” since the survey’s inception. Already the world’s number 1 travel destination, Florida is a natural choice for permanent residence by visitors who subscribe to a “play here, stay here” philosophy.

9| Visionary Development

More than any other state, Florida’s economic development goals and initiatives have been created as part of a statewide vision to promote innovation and diversified industry growth. Economic development organizations regularly combine forces to help new and existing businesses find the right location(s) for their needs.

10| Growth Economy

Florida’s economic engine keeps surging forward. America’s leader for job creation since 2002, Florida has the 8th largest economy in the Western Hemisphere.