| "We're making bold
efforts to improve what is recognized as one of the country's best
business climates." - Gray Swoope, Secretary of Commerce |
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.] |