Enterprise Florida Did Well in 2012

Enterprise Florida, Inc, the official economic development organization for the state of Florida, which helps innovative, high growth businesses start up, locate or expand in Florida, recorded a 23 percent increase in competitive economic development projects, bringing 30.4 percent more jobs than in the prior year.

Gov. Rick Scott, in a press statement said,  “During the past year, Enterprise Florida and its economic development partners excelled in creating and retaining jobs for Florida families. Florida has had the largest drop in unemployment in the country since December 2010 and has created nearly 175,000 private-sector jobs – and EFI has played a tremendous role in that achievement.”

Unemployment in Florida as of October is down to 8.5 percent, the lowest mark the state has seen since December 2008. The governor, whose campaign promise includes creating 700,000 new jobs in seven years, said, “In October, 12,100 more Floridians found employment in the private sector and the incomes that allow them to provide for their families, particularly with the holidays approaching. We are creating an environment that fosters job creation, economic development and provides a skilled work force. My No. 1 goal is to create jobs for Florida families and get this state back to work. There is still more work that needs to be done, but I’m confident we’re on the right path.”

Among the new key job placements created last year through the efforts of Enterprise Florida, Inc. were:  Digital Risk – Orlando/Statewide (1,000 new jobs, plus $3 million in capital investment); Navy Federal Credit Union – Pensacola (700 new jobs, plus $6 million in capital investment); Bi-Lo/Winn Dixie – Jacksonville (100 new jobs, 891 retained, plus $81million in capital investment); Univision Networks – Miami (346 new jobs, plus $274 million in capital investment); Cheney Brothers, Inc. – Punta Gorda (380 new jobs, plus $21 million in capital investment); and Accuform Signs – Brooksville (271 new jobs, plus $15 million in capital investment).

Enterprise Florida’s accomplishments were made possible through improved products and services, proactive outreach to key audiences and effective partnering with Florida communities. Compared with 2011, the number of competitive economic development projects increased by 23 percent (130 in 2011 as against 160 last year). The new jobs from competitive projects totaling 25,144 is also 30.4 percent higher than those in 2011. In addition, companies committed to more than $1.7 billion in capital expenditures last year, a 32 percent increase over 2011.

Enterprise Florida’s year-end reported accomplishments also include successes on the international business front. Trade missions to Spain, England and Colombia helped strengthen existing business relations as well as foster new ones. The last mission to Colombia generated projected sales totaling $38,340,000.

With respect to helping small and medium-sized enterprises enter into and engage in international markets through expanded services, Enterprise Florida reported assisting Florida companies in generating export sales totaling $585.8 million, working with 1,376 new-to-program companies in the area of international trade, and conducting 45 events.

Gray Swoope, State Secretary of Commerce and President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc., said, “These outcomes are crucial to helping us recruit more businesses to the state and higher-wage jobs for Floridians. We will continue with creating the most business friendly environment possible while keeping Florida competitive on a national and global scale.”