Annual report released, highlights EFI’s record-breaking impact on economy

ORLANDO, FL – Today, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) held its quarterly Board of Directors meeting in Orlando. During the meeting, EFI released its fiscal year 2013-14 annual report, detailing the organization’s impact on Florida’s economy, and provided a special guest presentation from the United States Tennis Association.

Secretary Swoope said, “The results from the last fiscal year were record-breaking. We have worked relentlessly to promote Florida as the best state for business and we saw great success across our entire organization. Businesses are looking to Florida for growth and location opportunities more than ever, and our numbers show just how competitive the state has become. I’m proud of our team and thank our state leadership, Board and partners for their tireless efforts.”

EFI has worked with its partners around the state to improve Florida’s competitive standing, creating renewed interest both nationally and internationally. In FY 2013-14 EFI:

• Announced 36,207 total jobs and $2.785 billion in capital investment as a result of projects established in FY13-14, a 65 percent increase in jobs and 150 percent increase in capital investment since FY 2010-11.
• Led Florida small businesses on 40 domestic and overseas events with $820.4 million in total projected export sales, and provided 5,234 export counseling sessions.
• Awarded 161 grants and created $627 million in economic impact through the Florida Sports Foundation.
• Awarded $4 million to protect Florida’s military installations through The Florida Defense Support Task Force.
• Marketed the state through the “Florida – Perfect Climate for Business” campaign, resulting in more than 57 million impressions through digital, print, TV and other forms of advertising.
• Assisted 30 small businesses with financing, and administered $12.2 million in loan guarantees and $9.2 million in loan participations.

“The work EFI does is very important to our state’s economy,” said EFI Board Vice Chair, Brett Couch. “The results of last fiscal year reflect the work the organization, state, regional and local partners do to promote Florida as the premier state for business. Under the leadership of Governor Scott, Secretary Swoope and the Board of Directors, EFI has helped Florida become more competitive in winning economic development projects.”

The meeting featured a special presentation from Gordon A. Smith, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). The USTA announced in May 2014 its plans to create a divisional headquarters in Orlando. Smith recognized the strong partnerships and work done to promote Florida as the best location for the organization’s new 270,000 square-foot facility.

“It really took a special effort to get us here and now we’re converts,” Smith said about the new facility. “We could not be more excited about building the new ‘Home of American Tennis’ at Lake Nona in Orlando.” The new facility will provide a state-of-the-art training facility with 106 courts, and create 154 jobs and a capital investment of $60 million.

The meeting was the last of 2014, with the next meeting planned for January in Tallahassee. EFI’s board meetings are open to the public with provision for public comment, and are televised live by the Florida Channel. In addition, the Board of Directors section of EFI’s newsroom includes agendas, committee meeting materials, fact sheets and other resources.

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