Economic Development

Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2023 How They Voted, Naming Representative Tommy Gregory as Most Valuable Legislator

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2023 How They Voted. A comprehensive review of what passed this legislative session, what didn’t, and what remains unfinished business, How They Voted reveals the Florida Chamber’s 2023 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 159 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2023 Legislative Session, and recognizes the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator and Distinguished Advocates. “Florida welcomes $4.48M…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Predicts Another Positive Year of Population and Economic Growth in 2023

The Florida Chamber Foundation unveiled its 2023 economic and demographic predictions during its 2023 Florida Economic Outlook & Jobs Solution Summit today. During today’s state of Florida business and forecasting event, the Florida Chamber Foundation team, leading economists, and industry experts shared a glimpse into the opportunities and challenges Florida’s economy is facing on the road to 2030, in addition to an exclusive 2023 Florida economic forecast, a national economic outlook, and valuable insight into…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Unveils Reimagined Florida Gap Map to Unite Business Leaders Around Addressing Inequality of Opportunity

Today, the Florida Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Florida Prosperity Project Advisory Board, the Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning Project Advisory Board launched the latest iteration of the Florida Gap Map in an innovative format that will forever change the way we address inequality of opportunity. “Currently, 773,801 (1 in 5) of Florida’s children are living in poverty and 53% of Florida’s third graders are reading at or above grade level,” said Florida…

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Florida’s Future is As Good As Gold: Florida Chamber Uniting Business to Grow Florida to the 10th Largest Global Economy

The Florida sun shines over an economic outlook that is brighter than ever before. As one of few states with employment surpassing pre-pandemic levels, a record-breaking GDP, childhood poverty numbers on the decline, global tech titans establishing roots, and infrastructure poised for smart growth and development, Florida is on its way to claiming its spot as a top 10 global economy – Florida’s future is as good as gold. With Florida’s continued growth and diversification, now is…

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Florida is Becoming Known As A Tech & Innovation State

Florida is growing by 1,000 people every day and is one of only a few states to fully recover to pre-covid job levels. Technology and innovation are essential to growing Florida from the 16th largest global economy to the 10th largest by 2030. It is not just a conversation for tech innovators; it’s a conversation for all Florida job creators. In business, competition remains fierce and unforeseen challenges are inevitable; meaning job creators must remain…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2022 Legislative Report Card and Distinguished Advocates

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2022 Florida Chamber Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2022 Legislative Session and Special Session D. “Working together as a unified business community is how we will keep Florida’s economy growing and competitive,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “As Florida continues to pace the nation’s economic…

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Florida Chamber Continues Delivering Against 6-year Strategic Plan, Adds Horsepower with Three New Hires

The Executive Team at the Florida Chamber continues to be focused and intentional about the work being done toward accomplishing the goals of our 6-year, $105 million strategic plan and the continued talent acquisition necessary to achieve our mission. With that in mind, today we are announcing the continued growth of the Florida Chamber enterprise with the addition of three team members who will bring insight, analysis, experience and additional horsepower to our already strong…

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Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study Sets the Course for Florida’s Continued Leadership in Trade, Logistics, Exported-Oriented Manufacturing Activities, and Rural Economic Growth

As global supply chains change, Florida can be the big winner. A brand-new research report indicates Florida has the available capacity to move more goods, make more goods, and multiply these impacts throughout the economy. Globally competitive trade, logistics, and manufacturing sectors will diversify Florida’s economy, bringing new jobs, income and investment into the state. Florida can propel its economy to one of the top 10 worldwide, and today, with the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida…

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Record Investment in Florida’s Future, Passage of Necessary Competitiveness Policies Paired with Challenges for Florida’s Businesses

Florida’s Legislative Session by the Numbers: 1,956 Bills and PCBs filed; 285 Bills passed both chambers Florida Chamber of Commerce testified 85 times on legislation impacting job creators Florida Chamber is analysing more than 3,000 votes cast by lawmakers and will soon release its Legislative Report Card $112B budget passed, which is the largest in state history TALLAHASSEE, FL (March 14, 2022) — The 2022 Florida legislative session saw passage of the largest budget in…

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Guest opinion: Future of Work Florida: Championing importance of work, value of skilled trades

Florida has a workforce crisis and it’s impacting Florida’s employers and job seekers in dramatic and negative ways, and yet it’s an opportunity business leaders should leverage. Pre-COVID, despite Florida creating 1 in every 11 new U.S. jobs (2015-2020), the number one concern among Florida’s job creators was the inability to find quality, and qualified, talent to fill open jobs. Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, and with 493,216 open jobs and only 466,000 unemployed…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2022 Jobs & Competitiveness Agenda

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has unveiled its 2022 Jobs and Competitiveness Agenda highlighting where it stands on key business priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session. Each year prior to Florida Legislative Session, the Florida Chamber of Commerce releases its annual Where We Stand business agenda that outlines key issues facing Florida’s business community in the coming year. As we work to keep Florida, Florida and grow our economy to the 10th largest in the world by 2030,…

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2022, The Time is Now to Secure Florida’s Economic Health and Stability

I think we can all agree, the phrase “a year like no other” is getting tired. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean it is an incorrect statement, the world, and certainly Florida has undergone a transformation “like no other” over the past two-years, but it is time to look toward 2022, and instead of a return to normal, a shift to the future of Florida. Florida is at a crossroads, and in 2022, we have to…

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Time to revamp, expand state’s role in supply chain

The global supply chain has drawn unprecedented attention in the past few months, with reports of 80-plus container ships waiting offshore to be unloaded at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. There have been rapid increases in costs for shipping, loading and storing goods; and there have been shortages of everything from semiconductors to building materials to basic household goods. Three out of four businesses responding to a Florida Chamber Foundation survey in…

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Florida Leading the Nation in Business Startups Ahead of California, Texas and Georgia

The Florida Chamber Foundation continues advancing the Florida 2030 Blueprint and its 39 goals, including Florida becoming the #1 state for business startups in the country. As we work to grow Florida to a top 10 global economy, the latest data on new business formations shows that Florida led the nation in 2020, taking the #1 spot. In 2020, Florida had 495,251 business applications— 58,521 more than second place California, 111,133 more than third place Texas, and nearly double…

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Florida lawsuits fuel insurance industry crisis

Florida is at a crossroads. Whether you are a public official, a local business owner or a Florida homeowner trying to protect your most valuable investment – your home – it comes as no surprise that Florida is facing a crisis and it’s time policymakers put homeowners ahead of billboard trial lawyers. Nothing demonstrates why Florida is in this crisis more than looking at how Florida stacks up against the nation in the number of…

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