As Florida’s most diverse and densely populated region, Southeast has exceptional access to international markets, a multicultural workforce, world-class educational institutions and a quality of life that is difficult to match. Finding an ideal site for expansion in this seven-county region is no problem; narrowing the choice to just one could well be.

In the "tricounty" area, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach each has an international airport and a deepwater port; each offers direct access to the lucrative Latin American market. Among the high-impact industries thriving throughout the region are Aviation, life sciences, technology and financial services. And as for tourism, from the Florida Keys up through Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties, visitor numbers are up.

WHO LIVES HERE

Global perspective In Miami-Dade alone, 51% of the population is foreign-born, and the populations of Broward and Palm Beach counties aren’t far behind at 31% and 22% respectively. Hispanics are the most prevalent immigrant group, averaging 25% of the population across all seven counties, but many other cultures are represented here too: 20 consulates, 26 foreign trade offices and 17 international trade organizations and chambers of commerce.

Young and smart Downtown Miami’s population is up more than 70% from 10 years ago, and young adults are largely responsible; 57% of residents in Miami’s urban core are between the ages of 20 and 44; 53% of them are college educated. In Broward, 58% of the population falls into the 18-64 age group and nearly 30% of residents 25 and older hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

ECONOMIC LIFE

Aviation
• Fixed-base operator Galaxy Aviation: adding 200 jobs and 75,000 square feet to the 1 million it occupies at Palm Beach International Airport.

• Two companies are joining the Aviation cluster at Miramar Centre Business Park: Turbine Controls with its first Florida facility and 60 jobs, and AeroTurbine, bringing its headquarters and adding 75 jobs.

• Boeing: adding nearly $100 million in training assets to its Miami commercial Aviation training campus, including two 787 full-flight simulators.

Business/Financial Services
• Four of the world’s largest security firms have corporate presence in Palm Beach County, including ADT, which will invest $6.4 million and add 120 new jobs at its Boca Raton headquarters.

• Staffing firm Oasis Outsourcing has expanded its West Palm Beach headquarters to 49,079 square feet, retaining 200 employees in the process.

Life Sciences/Healthcare
• Sunrise-based Bolton Medical Solutions grew its staff by 30 in 2012 and expects to add 20-30 more jobs in two years. In 2013, the firm’s Relay Thoracic Stent-Graft received FDA approval for treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.

• Clinical research company Advanced Pharma opened in Miami’s "Health District" with 40 employees and plans to add another 60 by 2014.

• At the Florida Center for Innovation in Port St. Lucie: Martin Health System will open its 90-bed Tradition Medical Center in early 2014; the Mann Research Center’s 45,000-sq.-ft. medical office building, opening in 2014, is almost fully leased.

Trade and Distribution
• PortMiami: Work continues on a truck tunnel providing direct access to Interstates 395 and 95, and deep dredging to accommodate post-Panamax ships by 2015.

• Port Everglades: Modernization of four cruise terminals is complete; a cargo rail facility is under construction.

• Port of Palm Beach: Received $1.8 million from FEMA to purchase and install security upgrades.

• Inland ports: Developers weigh the feasibility of creating inland logistics centers in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.

Small Business Support
• Miami was named 3rd-best U.S. city for small businesses by The Street in 2013.

• For the second time in a year, the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University has expanded its Technology Business Incubator to better accommodate current clients and house new companies on its waiting list.

• Project Lift Miami, a partnership of design firm Lift 1428 and the Miami Innovation Center at the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park, has launched the first health-focused startup accelerator in Miami, offering classes, mentoring and strategic support to south Florida entrepreneurs.

Technology
• Construction management software firm e-Builder will expand in Plantation and add 33 jobs.

• Website translation and globalization services firm MotionPoint Corporation is adding 15,000 square feet to its Coconut Creek site and up to150 new employees within three years.

• Boca Raton-based 3Cinteractive, maker of business software for mobile phones, was named to Forbes list of "America’s Most Promising Companies" in 2012.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Downtown resurgence With the 5.4-million-sq.-ft. Brickell CitiCentre and several more office and residential high-rises under construction, downtown has become the "in" place for young professionals to live and play in Miami. More than 200 restaurants have opened here since 2005, and crowds continue coming to cheer the 2012 and 2013 NBA champion Miami Heat and enjoy two of downtown’s main cultural events: the Miami Book Fair International and International Film Festival.

Quality education The region’s roster of 17 colleges and universities includes: Nova Southeastern University, which in 2012 opened its $50-million Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Ecosystems; Broward College, a finalist for the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence; and Indian River State College, known for its career development curriculum. Two Southeast Florida high schools are among the top 10 in Newsweek’s 2013 "America’s Best High Schools."

NOTABLE ADDITIONS/EXPANSIONS

Media Miami-Dade was selected as the site for a new television network targeting the growing Hispanic market. Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Networks and ABC News are investing more than $274 million in the project, which is to be headquartered at Univision Studios in Doral. An estimated 350 direct and 200 indirect jobs are expected.

Aviation/aerospace Paradigm Precision (formerly known as TurboCombustor Technology) is growing in Martin County with construction of a 120,000-sq.-ft. facility and 200 new jobs. The Stuart-based manufacturer of gas-turbine engine parts for aviation, military and marine applications plans to invest $16 million in building, infrastructure and manufacturing equipment.

NOTABLE EMPLOYERS

Business/Financial Services
• American Express Plantation
• First Data Corporation Coral Springs
• Zimmerman Advertising Fort Lauderdale

Package Goods
• Bacardi USA Coral Gables

Logistics/Distribution
• DHL Express Plantation

Healthcare
• Baptist Health South Florida Miami
• Martin Health System Stuart
• University of Miami Health System Miami

Technology
• Citrix Systems Inc. Fort Lauderdale
• G4S Secure Solutions Inc. Jupiter

Travel/Tourism
• Carnival Cruise Lines Miami
• Spirit Airlines Miramar