Local and statewide partnerships lead to more than 36,000 total jobs and $2.785 billion in capital investment

SARASOTA, FL (August 07, 2014) – Today, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) held its third Board of Directors meeting of 2014, the first of fiscal year 2014-15. The meeting focused on continuous improvement and recapped the most successful fiscal year yet for economic development in Florida. During the meeting, Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO of EFI, Gray Swoope, recapped EFI’s fiscal year 2013-14 results.

Secretary Swoope said, “Teamwork and relationship building are critical to being successful in economic development. Thanks to our partners at the local and state levels, we saw record numbers across the board last year. Since the 2010-11 fiscal year, total established jobs are up 84 percent and capital investments are up 150 percent. I’m proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to more success in the coming year.”

By working with its community partners, EFI’s activities have championed Florida as a premier destination for business expansion, location and relocation, and have created renewed interest in the state both nationally and internationally. EFI and its partners produced the following results in fiscal year 2013-14:

• 36,207 total established jobs, a 44 percent increase over fiscal year 2012-13
• $2.785 billion in capital investment, a 41 percent increase over FY12-13
• Projected export sales of $820.4 million, a 13 percent increase over FY12-13
• The Florida Sports Foundation created $627 million in economic impact through sporting events and awarded 116 sports grants totaling $3.2 million.
• The Florida Defense Support Task Force awarded $2.6 million in local defense communities to protect Florida’s military installations and missions.
• EFI assisted 30 small businesses with financing, and administered $12.6 million in loan guarantees and $9.7 million in loan participations.

Building on Florida’s success in winning competitive projects, Richard Broome, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications for The Hertz Corporation, spoke about the company’s experience since announcing their headquarters relocation. Hertz has already hired 325 employees at their temporary location in Southwest Florida. “The economic development process in Florida is working very well, underpinned by a great business climate, strong workforce and effective education system. Now is the time to recruit more businesses to the state.”

The meeting also featured breakout sessions focusing on key strategies to continue improving economic development efforts in the state. EFI’s stakeholders participated in a retreat on Wednesday to cover the same strategies. Input from the sessions will be critical in enhancing Florida’s ability to compete for and win more economic development projects.

EFI Board of Directors Vice-Chair, Brett Couch, shared his thoughts on the work done in FY12-13. “I’m very proud of the accomplishments made by EFI and its partners in the last fiscal year. Enterprise Florida is a model for economic development organizations around the nation and it’s a pleasure to serve on a board that oversees what this organization does for the state.”

The board meeting was open to the public with provision for public comment, and was broadcast live on The Florida Channel. In addition, the Board of Directors section of EFI’s newsroom includes agendas, committee meeting materials, fact sheets and other resources.