Florida

#2 Florida

#7 in Taxation and Regulation

#23 in Workforce Quality

#9 in Living Environment

Right to Work? ✓

Regional Profile – Southeast

STATE	OVERALL REGIONAL RANK	TAXATION & REGULATION REGIONAL RANK	WORKFORCE QUALITY REGIONAL RANK	LIVING ENVIRONMENT REGIONAL RANK
Alabama	7	6	7	8
Florida	1	2	6	5
Georgia	5	4	2	3
Kentucky	8	7	8	7
Louisiana	10	9	9	9
Mississippi	11	10	10	11
North Carolina	2	5	3	1
South Carolina	4	3	5	2
Tennessee	3	1	1	4
Virginia	6	8	4	6
West Virginia	9	11	11	10

Key Industries

Aviation/Aerospace, Cleantech, Corporate Headquarters, Financial & Professional Services, I.T., Lifesciences, Logistics/Distribution, Manufacturing

Key Companies

Carnival

CSX

Jabil Circuit

NextEra Energy

Office Depot

Tech Data

World Fuel Services

Advantages

The Sunshine State cut taxes 50 times over the last five years, and got rid of 4,200 burdensome regulations.

The chambers of commerce for two of South Florida’s biggest business hubs—Miami and Ft. Lauderdale—are considering a merger that could help bridge economic gaps between them and improved business on both sides.

Challenges

Florida’s job growth slowed down in March to 4.9%, below the national rate of 5%.

Florida’s top jobs recruiter, Bill Johnson of Enterprise Florida, stepped down after the legislature turned down his request for an additional $250 million for business incentives.

Key Contacts

Enterprise Florida

Vacant
407-956-5600
800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100
Orlando, FL 32803
[email protected]
https://www.enterpriseflorida.com/

CEO Comments

“Florida is making significant investments in public school education and post-secondary colleges and universities. Gov. Scott has been a consistent advocate for business and job growth spurred through reduced regulation and taxes.”

“Conditions for businesses in Florida continue to improve. Statewide actions and investments have been strategic and far ranging. The state has aggressively moved ahead on key issues like re-building ports without waiting on federal support. They have also chipped away at nagging impediments to expansion and investments that were piled on through the years.”

“Florida is an awesome state with a pro-business, pro-jobs governor who really wants to grow your business and get out of the way of your success.”