Southeast Florida

Jeff Zbar | 10/10/2011

Disney's Vero Beach Resort is a draw for visitors to Florida's picturesque Atlantic coast. [Photo: Disney]

Quality of Life

Reasons to be here: In July 2011, global manufacturing/technology giant Emerson selected Sunrise for its Latin American regional headquarters. Company officials and others cite the region's "world-class quality of life," a flourishing entertainment scene and strong business collaboration as influences. For its part, Palm Beach County ranks among the nation's least expensive markets to run a company. "When you combine awesome people with a great climate, solid infrastructure and low taxes, why would you start a business anywhere else?" says Boca-based tech firm 3Cinteractive CEO John Duffy, whose free time is spent building motorcycles and playing guitars.

Play ball: Sports teams need homes. The Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat and Florida Panthers have theirs. Next up:

» The Florida Marlins' retractable-roof ballpark opening for the 2012 season

» Florida Atlantic University's new football stadium, set to debut this season

» A rejuvenated Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter hosts the Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals for spring training, and Minor League Jupiter Hammerheads and Palm Beach Cardinals all summer.

Notable Employers

A recent surge in condo sales has swelled Miami's nighttime population to 70,000 and brought downtown streets alive after dark. [Photo: Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce]

Financial Services

• American Express, Plantation
• First Data, Coral Springs

Professional Services

• Zimmerman Advertising, Fort Lauderdale

Package Goods

• Bacardi, Coral Gables

Energy

• NextEra Energy Inc./Florida Power & Light, Juno Beach

Healthcare

• Liberty Medical Supply, Port St. Lucie

Retail Distribution

• QVC Inc., Port St. Lucie
• Wal-Mart/Wal-Mart Distribution Center, St. Lucie County

Technology

• G4S Secure Solutions Inc. (formerly The Wackenhut Corporation), Palm Beach Gardens

Travel / Tourism

• Carnival Cruise Lines, Miami
• Spirit Airlines, Miramar

Tags: Southeast, Business Florida