Enterprise florida board of directors outlines Legislative

recommendations for further diversifying florida's economy

 

- Board Focuses on Implementing Strategic Imperatives of "Roadmap to Florida's Future" -

 

ORLANDO, Fla.  (March 1, 2004) - In preparation for the upcoming legislative session, the Enterprise Florida Board of Directors - made up of representatives from Florida's preeminent corporations - today outlined its strategic recommendations for further diversifying Florida's economy. 

 

The recommendations are a key step toward the implementation of strategic imperatives to enhance Florida's global competitiveness with targeted incentives and to fund economic development at a competitive level, both of which are outlined in the "Roadmap to Florida's Future," a statewide strategic plan for further diversifying Florida's economy.  The plan, which was released in late January, was based on input from more than 1,000 Florida business, community and economic development leaders.

 

The Board's recommendations include:

Ø      Reenacting the Qualified Target Industry and Qualified Defense Contractor Tax Refund Programs;

 

Ø      Funding the Quick Action Closing Fund at $25 million;

 

Ø      Funding the Economic Development Transportation Fund, or "Road Fund," at $10 million;

 

Ø      Funding the Rural Infrastructure Fund at $4 million and the Community Development Revolving Loan Fund at $1.3 million;

 

Ø      Stimulating business investment in special needs areas through revamping the Enterprise Zone Sales Tax Refund; Rural, Urban and Enterprise Zone Job Tax Credit Programs; and the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program;

  

Ø      Protecting Florida's $44 billion defense industry through adequate funding of Defense Infrastructure ($3 million) and Reinvestment ($1 million) Grants and statewide initiatives such as the Governor's Advisory Council on Base Realignment and Closure ($3.4 million); and

 

Ø      Providing adequate funding for statewide economic development, specifically $11 million for Enterprise Florida.

 

"In order to further diversify Florida's economy and create higher-wage jobs for its citizens, it's imperative that we work to continuously enhance our state's business climate," said Sprint State Vice President Charles Rehwinkel, who serves as chair of the Board's legislative committee.  "What's most important is that these recommendations reflect the economic concerns and ideas of the people of Florida, providing a clear path to a stronger economy. We look forward to working with Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature to increase economic opportunities for all Floridians."

 

To view detailed fact sheets on each of the Board's recommendations, log on to www.eflorida.com/pressroom and click on "Publications." To view all of the recommendations outlined in the "Roadmap to Florida's Future," log on to www.eflorida.com/strategicplan.

 

- efi -

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 creating 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.