Economic Development
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Mar- 2017 -7 March
The Fight for Jobs and Economic Growth
Voice of Reason March 7, 2017 Today marks the start of the 2017 Legislative Session, and the fight to secure Florida’s future is more important than ever. That’s because jobs, and the future of economic growth in Florida, are under attack. At the Florida Chamber of Commerce, we’re on the front lines and fighting for job creators. We’re carrying your message to #MakeFLMoreCompetitive through jobs and economic growth to lawmakers. In fact, the Florida Chamber’s…
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6 March
Anti-Economic Development & Tourism Bills Advance Despite Vocal Opposition
A few moments ago, the Florida House Rules and Policy Committee voted by a 15-3 margin to advance HB 7005, a bill that would end economic diversification efforts in Florida, including eliminating the economic development toolkit, international programs, marketing and small business assistance. The same committee also voted, by a 15-2 margin, to support HB 9, sponsored by Rep. Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), which restricts the operations of VISIT Florida, reallocates funds originally intended for tourism marketing and…
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3 March
We Need You in Tallahassee Monday
This is Your Last Chance to Take Action Before the Bills Head to the Full House for a Vote. On Monday, March 6, 2017, at 3 p.m., the House Rules & Policy Committee will take up HB 7005, which eliminates economic development initiatives, such as Enterprise Florida and the Small Business Development Center, and cuts two dozen economic development programs. Additionally, a separate piece of legislation, HB 9, will be heard that makes sweeping policy…
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Feb- 2017 -28 February
Meet With Your Representative This Week to Support Economic Development and Tourism Marketing
On Monday, March 6, the House Rules & Policy Committee will take up HB 7005, which eliminates economic development initiatives, such as Enterprise Florida, and cuts two dozen economic development programs. Additionally, a separate piece of legislation, HB 9, has been filed to address policy changes to VISIT FLORIDA, and is also up Monday. It is expected that VISIT FLORIDAlanguage will be removed from HB 7005. Soon after, the full House of Representatives will have…
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21 February
House Committee Advances Anti-Economic Development & Tourism Bill
Next Stop, House Floor Vote On February 21, the Florida House Appropriations Committee voted by a 18-12 margin to advance HB 7005, a bill that would end economic diversification efforts in Florida, including eliminating the economic development toolkit, international programs, marketing and small business assistance. Additionally, this bill cuts tourism marketing funding by 67 percent. Despite overwhelming opposition from citizens in attendance and over 20,000 emails sent to lawmakers by Florida Chamber members opposing the bill, the…
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15 February
We Need You in Tallahassee on Tuesday
On Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 1 p.m., the Florida House Appropriations Committee will take up HB 7005, (formerly PCB CCS 17-01), a bill that will completely eliminate Florida’s economic development and tourism agencies. as well as several dozen programs and organizations that have helped make Florida a leader in job growth and economic diversification. This is the last committee stop before a potential floor vote of the entire Florida House of Representatives. We need you to attend Tuesday’s House Appropriations…
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15 February
Ax Economic Incentives? Whoa, Says Florida Chamber’s Mark Wilson
Orlando Sentinel, February 21, 2017 By Michael Joe Murphy WATCH Sentinel Opinions Editor Paul Owens checks in with Florida Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Wilson on hot business and economic issues in the upcoming Florida legislative session. Less than a month before the Legislature convenes for its annual session, a House subcommittee has approved a bill that would eliminate Enterprise Florida and Visit Florida, along with several tax incentives for businesses. The bill pits House Speaker…
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13 February
It’s Time to Ask Tough Questions and Show Your Support
Are you concerned about the future of economic development and funding for marketing tourism in Florida? Florida Governor Rick Scott visited South Florida on February 13 to discuss these issues. In case you missed it, last week, at least one lawmaker from South Florida voted to support legislation that would eliminate Enterprise Florida, VISIT FLORIDA, Florida’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and many other programs that help diversify our state’s economy and create jobs. Email your lawmaker to…
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10 February
Thank Sen. Jack Latvala for Supporting Economic Diversification and Tourism
During the February 9 committee meeting, Senate Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) continued to be outspoken in his support of state programs that provide economic diversification, job creation and tourism marketing. Please take one minute, right now, to thank Sen. Latvala for his support of Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA.
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9 February
Mark Wilson Talks to the Orlando Sentinel on Enterprise Florida and Legislative Issues
In our continued efforts to save Florida’s economic development and tourism efforts, Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce recently spoke to the Orlando Sentinel. Watch the video as Mark Wilson discusses Enterprise Florida and legislative issues with Opinions Editor Paul Owens.
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9 February
House Subcommittee Advances Bill to Eliminate Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida
We need your voice. On February 8, the Florida House Careers and Competition Subcommittee voted by a 10-5 margin to advance CCS 17-01, a bill that would end economic diversification and tourism marketing efforts in Florida, including eliminating the economic development toolkit, international programs, marketing and small business assistance. Despite hundreds in attendance and over 11,000 emails sent to lawmakers by Florida Chamber members opposing the bill, the conversation of eliminating Enterprise Florida, Visit Florida…
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7 February
Is Florida Closing For Business?
On Wednesday, February 8 at 1 p.m., the Florida House Careers & Competition Subcommittee will take up proposed legislation that will completely eliminate Florida’s economic development and tourism agencies. PCB CCS 17-01 will eliminate Enterprise Florida and VISIT FLORIDA, as well as several dozen programs and organizations that have helped make Florida a leader in job growth and economic diversification. This legislation sends a signal that Florida’s state government is no longer an active…
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Jan- 2017 -27 January
Economic Development Task Force Finalizes Recommendations
After eight months of work and dozens of meetings, the Florida Chamber Economic Development Task Force concluded its final meeting today in Orlando at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Led by co-chairs Glenda Hood and Leerie Jenkins, the Florida Chamber Economic Development Task Force considered feedback provided by over one thousand individuals on ways the state can become more competitive. The result: 260 recommendations, which will be released soon in a full report. The full report…
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12 January
Florida Chamber of Commerce 2017 Agenda To #MakeFLMoreCompetitive Through Jobs And Economic Growth
Urges Lawmakers to Make Florida More Competitive and Create Economic Opportunity for Millions of Floridians TALLAHASSEE, FL (January 12, 2017) – The Florida Chamber of Commerce today unveiled its 2017 Competitiveness Agenda – #MakeFLMoreCompetitive – a step-by-step legislative roadmap that focuses resources and expertise to advance jobs, competitiveness and economic opportunity for Floridians. #MakeFLMoreCompetitive builds on 122 pro-jobs bills passed and signed into law in the last six years that have propelled Florida with positive economic…
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Nov- 2016 -30 November
Congratulations to Chris Hart IV On Being Named President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce today congratulates Chris Hart IV on being named President and CEO of Enterprise Florida (EFI). “Talent is replacing tax incentives as the economic development tool of choice, and who better to lead Florida’s economic development efforts than the nation’s best workforce champion, Chris Hart,” said MARK WILSON, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. During Hart’s tenure as President and CEO of CareerSource Florida, he helped connect businesses…
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