Beyond Sunshine: Advancing Florida’s world-class economy for the next generation
Florida has long been seen as a magnet for travel, tourism, and entertainment, where visitors and residents alike embrace a high quality of life in a sunny, warm climate. Today, however, Florida is much more than a vacation destination. With an annual GDP of nearly $1.3 trillion, Florida is one of the strongest economies in the world, and CEOs, investors, and talent are increasingly recognizing its potential as a hub for global commerce and opportunity. More importantly, Florida is a place where innovation has thrived for decades— where risk-taking entrepreneurs have defied conventional wisdom and found success, and where government is a partner in, not a barrier to, economic growth.
As surely as Florida has witnessed an unprecedented boom due to its strengths, there are opportunities to build on them further. The time to do so is now, and the Florida Council of 100 has partnered with Florida’s economic development leaders to craft a new strategy that builds on the state’s growth trajectory, aligns talent with jobs in higher-wage industries, connects businesses with opportunities to expand, and tells the state’s story. The following pages outline our approach to business-driven economic development and serve as a roadmap for securing Florida’s success in the modern global economy. The priorities are clear:
1. Increase the focus and promotion of high-priority economic clusters in each region.
2. Increase jobs in higher-wage industries and align talent at all levels to fill these roles.
3. Position Florida domestically and internationally as the best place to start a career, build wealth, and raise a family.
Nearly 70 of Florida’s leading CEOs participated in the development of this work, led by Gary Sasso, President and CEO of Carlton Fields and Lou Plasencia, Chairman and CEO of The Plasencia Group. We’d like to thank them for their efforts on behalf of all Floridians. Florida, your business leaders are committed to enhancing our state for generations to come. We know what’s possible because, like you, we live and work here. Join us in telling Florida’s story to build on our strengths, maintain and improve our quality of life, and win in the modern global economy. To learn more about The Florida Council of 100 and the Beyond Sunshine report, visit FC100,
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