Contact: Stuart Doyle
          (407) 956-5689
         sdoyle@eflorida.com

Housing market, job creation, global trade: 
The Idea Exchange covering wide topic range on Florida economy

Florida Economic Research Network newsletter hits 2-year mark
reflecting thought leadership of experts on economic development issues

ORLANDO, FL (May 1, 2009) – In 2007, The Idea Exchange emerged when Enterprise Florida established a forum for academic and economic development experts to discuss issues relevant to the state’s business and industry growth. 

 This periodic newsletter allows members of the Florida Economic Research Network (FERN), which comprises leaders and experts from independent research institutes and foundations as well as academicians and economic development research professionals, to give feedback -- recommendations, analyses, critiques or forecasts, etc. – that is based on either their own professional experiences or FERN discussions. 

 “It examines economic development topics that are in line with the goal of ensuring Florida’s continued global competitiveness,” said the newsletter’s editor, Z. Joe Kulenovic, senior director of strategic and market analysis for Enterprise Florida.

 While the network’s own dialogues have run the gamut, from state law and policy to business strategies and industry trends, The Idea Exchange has allowed a public glimpse at the in-depth conversations of these thought leaders regarding Florida’s economic future.  The articles exemplify the complexity of the economic issues the state faces, with analysis that provides enough history and perspective to enable readers to draw their own conclusions and ponder possible solutions. 

 Here’s a sampling:

– “The Recession and Structural Change in Florida,” by David Denslow, Ph.D., Bureau for Business & Economic Research, University of Florida

– “Florida’s Future Quality of Growth through Business Dynamism,” by Graham Toft, Ph.D., Growth Economics, Inc.

– “The Housing Sector and Florida Economy:  Housing went from an eagle to an albatross.  Has it now become a vulture,” by Sean Snaith, Ph.D., Institute for Economic Competitiveness, University of Central Florida

– “Business Taxes in Florida – A Comparative Perspective,” by Rick Harper, Ph.D., Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development, University of West Florida.

 The Idea Exchange is filling a communication void among industry and academic experts as well as opening an informational door to the general public. 

 “In the past, there had not been a forum for the systematic and ongoing exchange of ideas between Florida’s academic experts and the economic development community,” said Sena Black, senior vice president of Enterprise Florida’s Marketing & Strategic Intelligence division.  “By addressing critical challenges, the network is contributing to Florida’s economic development agenda and enhancing ongoing activities under the statewide strategic planning process.”

 In the near future, FERN plans to host conferences focusing on Florida’s economic outlook.

 The Idea Exchange is accessible at www.eflorida.com/FERN.  (Registration via the Web site is required to obtain this free publication.)    

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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida's business and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.  Headquartered in Orlando, EFI’s mission is to diversify Florida’s economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.  In pursuit of its mission, EFI works closely with a statewide network of economic development partners and is funded both by the State of Florida and by private-sector businesses.

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