CEO Guide to Site Selection

Florida

THE SUNSHINE STATE'S BRIGHT OUTLOOK

While Florida took an economic and physical beating from Hurricane Ian in September 2022, its economy remains strong. Gov. Ron DeSantis isn’t shy about promoting Florida’s economic success, noting in May 2022 that private sector employment growth was double that of the national average. Additionally, the state closed out the fiscal year with a record $20 billion in state reserves. Financial and tech companies are flocking to cities like Tampa and Orlando, while the Space Coast continues to attract leading aero- space companies. The military and defense industry also continues to thrive in the state, generating more than $96.6 billion, or 8.5% of the state economy, according to the 2022 Florida Defense Industry Economic Impact Analysis.

“Florida has the lowest unemployment rate among the 10 most populous states and the highest number of new business formations because we have encouraged workforce development, kept the economy open and put Florida families first.”
Ron DeSantis
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index ranking

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2010 and 2020

KEY INCENTIVES

Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC): Offers an annual corporate income tax credit, for up to 20 years, for projects that create a minimum of 100 jobs and invest at least$25 million in eligible capital costs.

High Impact Performance Incentive: Offers a grant for projects in clean energy, life sciences, financial services, corporate headquarters and other sectors that invest $50 million and create 50 new jobs over a three-year period.

Research and Development Tax Credit: Offers a credit of up to 10 percent of the excess qualified research expenses.

Urban Job Tax Credit Program: Offers between $500 and $2,000 per qualified job for eligible businesses located in one of 13 designated urban areas.

Veterans Florida Business Training Grant: Offers matching grants of up to $8,000 per veteran employee trained in high-demand fields.

EDCs

Enterprise Florida
enterpriseflorida.com

Miami-Dade Beacon Council
beaconcouncil.com

Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation
tampaedc.com

Orlando Economic Partnership
orlando.org

Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
gflalliance.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

Now in its second year, the Enterprise Florida Minority and Small Business Boot Camp educates minority and small businesses on information and practices integral to growth and success. The program is run in partner- ship with Florida SBDC Network, Florida Department of Management Services and Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry. Topics have included networking, certifications, generational wealth building and the basics of exporting.

BIG DEALS

  • Switzerland-based Inpeco announced in September 2022 plans to open a regional headquarters in Tampa.
  • Astronics Test Systems announced in March 2022 it will move its headquarters to Orlando and add 60 jobs over the next two years.
  • Chile-based software developer InBattle announced in June 2022 it will open a state-of-the-art VR arena in the Miami area.
  • KPMG announced in August 2022 it will add 650 new jobs in the Orlando region over the next two years.
  • Health tech company BeniComp announced in August 2022 an expansion at its Tampa headquarters with 100 new jobs.
  • Iceland-based Sahara announced in October 2022 it will open its first U.S. office in Orlando.
  • Dassault Falcon Jet announced in October 2022 it will build a new maintenance facility in Tallahassee.
  • Merit Logistics announced in October 2022 it will relocate its corporate headquarters from California to Tampa.

BIG COMPANIES

22 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state, including:

  • Publix Super Markets
  • World Fuel Services
  • Jabil
  • Lennar
  • AutoNation
  • Fidelity National Financial
  • Carrier Global
  • L3Harris Technologies
  • NextEra Energy
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.