News

Celebrating the 46 Florida-Based 2024 Olympic Athletes Going for the Gold in Paris

Competing in the Olympic Games is no easy feat, and as the 46 Florida-based athletes listed below prepare to compete July 26 – August 11, 2024 in Paris, we would like to wish them all the best! Perry Parker, Daytona Beach – Rugby Aaliyah Butler, Fort Lauderdale – Track and Field Danielle Collins, St. Petersburg – Tennis Benjamin Cremaschi, Miami – Soccer Tamari Davis, Gainesville – Track and Field Jeremiah Davis, Lehigh Acres – Track…

Read More »

Florida Chamber Safety Council Launches Innovative Platform to Enhance Employer Efforts in Workplace Heat Safety

Today, the Florida Chamber Safety Council, a program of the Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health and Sustainability, launched a groundbreaking online resource that houses essential information and solutions aimed at assisting Florida employers in doubling down on their commitment to heat safety in the workplace. This cutting-edge platform, curated by nationally recognized safety, health, and industry experts, showcases a diverse range of tools specifically designed for businesses whose employees are exposed to extreme…

Read More »

Makayla Buchanan Selected for U.S. Chamber Foundation Education and Workforce Fellowship Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation recently announced that Makayla Buchanan, Director of Early Learning & Literacy of the Florida Chamber Foundation was selected to participate in the tenth cohort of its premiere business leadership program. The Business Leads Fellowship Program trains and equips leaders from state and local chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and trade associations with resources, access to experts, and a network of peers to build their capacity…

Read More »

Manufacturing is a Major Opportunity in Florida

By: Mark Wilson, President, Florida Chamber of Commerce & Foundation Recognizing the essential role manufacturing plays in the growth of a diverse economy, one of the Florida 2030 Blueprint’s goals for Florida is to significantly grow Florida into a top 5 state for manufacturing jobs. Since the release of the Blueprint in 2018, Florida has added 58,300 manufacturing jobs, now ranking #11 in the country – solidly surpassing New York and behind Georgia by 8,000…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces Second Round of 2024 Legislative Endorsements

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is again uniting Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive, and today endorsed a bipartisan list of 19 additional candidates running for election this year. These candidates underwent a thorough vetting by the business community as part of the Florida Chamber Political Institute’s Candidate Interview process.  Covering five cities over six weeks, more than 80 business organizations joined together to interview over 100 candidates for state legislative office.…

Read More »

Florida’s Economy Shows High Growth, Dips One Spot to 16th Largest Global Economy

By: Keith Richard, Ph.D., Vice President of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation Newly released data reflected on TheFloridaScorecard.org for 2023 shows that if Florida were an independent country, it would be ranked the 16th largest economy in the world by gross domestic product (GDP). This represents a change from Florida’s previous GDP ranking as the 15th largest economy in the world. While on the surface this may seem concerning, Florida’s latest annual GDP stands at $1.58…

Read More »

New Education Scores Show Movement Towards Florida 2030 Blueprint Goals

By: Sheridan Morby, Senior Research Economist, Florida Chamber Foundation Florida’s latest 3rd and 8th-grade reading scores were recently released, reflecting progress toward Florida 2030-related education goals. According to TheFloridaScorecard.org, 3rd-grade reading scores increased by 5 percentage points to 55%, while 8th-grade reading scores rose 4 percentage points to 51%. Math scores were also released, showing a slight increase in 3rd-grade math proficiency to 60%, while 8th-grade math proficiency dipped by 1 percentage point to 54%. Click HERE to…

Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: Net Income Migration to Florida Remains Above $4M Per Hour, Significantly More Than Any Other State

By: Kyle Baltuch, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber Foundation As the Florida Chamber Foundation works towards achieving the ambitious Florida 2030 Blueprint mission of growing Florida’s economy to the 10th largest in the world by 2030, the latest income migration numbers are showing that Florida continues to grow at a rapid pace. Once again, Florida is leading the nation, with over $36.05 billion in net income moving into our state each year. While this is…

Read More »

Florida Chamber Foundation Releases Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 Research to Further Address Florida’s Talent Skills Gaps

Access the Florida Workforce Needs Study 2.0 HERE> The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida 2030 Blueprint established a unifying goal of growing Florida to the 10th largest economy in the world by 2030. Within the Six Pillars Framework outlined in the Blueprint, the “Talent Supply and Education” pillar stands as the first area to address to achieve the bold vision. In response to the pressing workforce crisis faced in Florida and throughout the nation, this morning,…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces First Round of 2024 Legislative Endorsements

The Florida Chamber of Commerce continues to unite Florida’s business community to help make Florida more competitive, and today endorsed a bipartisan list of eighty current and former legislators running for election this year. These legislators have a strong track record of securing Florida’s future by regularly promoting free enterprise and job creation. These endorsements are based, in large part, on Legislator’s actual grades earned on The Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Report Card. “The Florida…

Read More »

Unlocking Florida’s Full Potential: Why Education Matters for Florida’s Disconnected Youth

By: Keith Richard, PhD, VP of Research, Florida Chamber Foundation Florida’s future and economic success depends on engaging all Floridians, including an often overlooked population: disconnected youth. Ensuring these young Floridians have every opportunity to secure a path to prosperity is essential. However, barriers to obtaining a high school diploma or equivalent (e.g., a GED) often limit prosperity for many of these individuals. Florida’s “disconnected youth” are individuals ages 16 to 24 who are not…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2024 How They Voted, Naming House Speaker Paul Renner as Most Valuable Legislator

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2024 How They Voted publication. 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 2024 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2024 Legislative Session, and recognizes the Florida Chamber’s Most Valuable Legislator and Distinguished Advocates. “It’s incredible…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2024 Legislative Report Card and Distinguished Advocate Award Recipients

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2024 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 160 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2024 Legislative Session, and also awarded 15 Legislators the 2024 Distinguished Advocate Award. “Florida currently has a $1.62 trillion economy and is continuing to grow and diversify,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson. “I want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis, Senate…

Read More »

Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses U.S. Senator Rick Scott for Reelection

Florida Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mark Wilson stood with former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Rick Scott yesterday in Tampa at a local manufacturing facility to announce the rollout of the “Small Business for Rick Scott” coalition and formally announce the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of his reelection to the U.S. Senate. In addition to providing remarks at the press conference, Mark Wilson released the following quote in support of Senator Rick…

Read More »

New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Donald Trump and Rick Scott Begin 2024 Campaigns With Leads, While Governor Ron DeSantis Remains Popular With Floridians

The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll finds both Donald Trump and Rick Scott leading their likely Democratic opponents. Trump and Scott each lead their respective opponents among Hispanics, White voters and older voters. The Florida Chamber’s poll also finds Governor DeSantis retaining strong approval amongst Floridians, with 56% of Floridians giving the Governor a favorable review of his job performance as Florida’s chief executive. Trump, Scott Lead Democratic Opponents in Florida The Florida Chamber’s poll…

Read More »