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 manufacturing jobs. In 2010, the Florida Chamber Foundation released the first in a series of research reports called the Trade and Logistics Report. Then Governor Scott used our report to push for the deepening of PortMiami and for Florida to begin accelerating logistics and manufacturing jobs in Florida. The updated Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study highlights the need to manufacture more in Florida, move more around in Florida (supply chain and logistics), and multiply the impacts (every 10 manufacturing jobs create 20 ancillary jobs in areas such as logistics, legal, financing, and warehousing).
Recently, I participated in an endorsement event for my friend, US Senator Rick Scott, at Ascend Engineering. I had the privilege of meeting the owners, Karen and Scott Hadley, and I had a chance to learn how their manufacturing business, Ascend Engineering, supports our military in our nation’s quest to defend freedom. As I stood there preparing to endorse Senator Scott, I couldn’t help but be reminded that we simply wouldn’t have free enterprise if it wasn’t for the freedoms our military fights for every day. I then looked up to see a banner on the shop floor that read “we do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy.” Karen Hadley told the story of how they started their business because they thought it’d be easy, but running a local business is anything but. Fighting for free enterprise isn’t easy, but it’s worth fighting for. And, incredibly, one of their sons, Stephen, was getting set to deploy one week later to defend our nation. Our prayers and thanks are with him…Godspeed Stephen.
While I proudly participated in the endorsement event, it also reminded me that the hope and promise of America lies in the hands of dedicated individuals like Karen and Scott Hadley. Their hard work and craftsmanship ensure our warfighting machine remains the best in the world.
When it comes to focusing on manufacturing growth in Florida, according to TheFloridaScorecard.org, Florida has 427,600 manufacturing jobs and we need to add an additional 139,100 to jump ahead of current #5, Pennsylvania. Manufacturing jobs represent 4.3% of Florida’s jobs and have an average wage of $78,060 (this is $11,638 higher than Florida’s average). The Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study recommends the Florida Department of Commerce create a full-time manufacturing advocate by launching the position of Chief Manufacturing Officer for Florida. By tying together the leadership of Governor DeSantis, harnessing the speed of multiple state agencies working together to break down barriers, the efforts of FloridaMakes, and the advantages Florida brings for manufacturers, the Florida Chamber believes the time is now for a united focus on supporting and growing manufacturing in Florida as it’s a win-win for our state’s economy and the workforce of the future.
We will be highlighting the impact the manufacturing industry has in making Florida a global center for innovation at our upcoming Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit on August 22 in Orlando. I invite you to register today to join us as we showcase the cool things being made in Florida. Learn more and sign up HERE.
Also be sure to reach out to our Chamber Foundation’s VP of Research, Dr. Keith Richard at krichard@flchamber.com to engage in our work to propel Florida manufacturing efforts year-round.