Securing Florida's Future

Dear Entrepreneur:

Florida’s economy has seen incredible growth during the past seven years. Statewide, nearly 1.5 million jobs have been created since December 2010, and it is clear that we are on track to making Florida the best place in the nation for job creation.

As Governor, I have spent every day fighting to create an environment
where businesses can grow and create jobs for Florida families. We will keep supporting Florida’s small businesses and making it easier for these job creators to succeed and invest in our state. We have reduced more than 5,000 burdensome regulations and cut taxes by more than $10 billion, including nearly $550 million during the most recent legislative session. We are sending a message across the country that Florida is where job creators and families should come to find opportunities.

Florida is competing in a global economy, and to help job creators succeed, I worked with the Florida Legislature last year to establish the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This first-of-a-kind fund is helping address the two major factors businesses consider when choosing an ideal location: infrastructure to support broad-based economic growth and workforce training needs in targeted growth industries. We are working to invest $85 million and ensure that every awarded project will strengthen Florida’s business climate and bring the best return on investment for Florida taxpayers.

This year, I also proposed a constitutional amendment to make it harder for politicians to raise taxes and fees on hardworking families. I am grateful the Legislature overwhelmingly passed HJR 7001, which places an amendment on the ballot in November this year. If approved by 60% of Florida voters, Amendment 5 will require a two-thirds majority of future Florida Legislatures to raise any tax or fee.

I will fight every day to secure Florida’s future for every Florida family and make sure our state remains the best place for new opportunities so that our children and grandchildren have the tools they need to succeed in our state.

Honorable Rick Scott
Governor, State of Florida
Chairman, Enterprise Florida

• Meet Florida's Small Business Support Team »

Lucky Goat Coffee Brews Business Success

Ben Pautsch launched Lucky Goat Coffee in Tallahassee in 2010 with a simple idea: Make great coffee. The plan was not to become a coffee café, but rather a premium coffee roaster, selling wholesale beans to other cafés. Lucky Goat’s reputation for top-quality coffee soon spread and, today, the firm boasts four storefronts in the capital city.

In August 2017, Governor Rick Scott presented Lucky Goat with the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award in recognition of its efforts to create new jobs and other opportunities for Florida families. “We are very grateful for this opportunity and for the support of our customers,” says Pautsch. “We have a passion for specialty grade coffee and strive to provide our customers with a custom experience.”

Tags: Florida Small Business, Support Team