FEDC alert! As you know one of FEDC’s legislative priorities is Enterprise Zones. There is a coalition of groups working towards reauthorization with reform. While there are still some who want to see this sunset, the tide is slowing moving towards a reformed program that includes stronger reporting, marketing and accountability. The Senate Finance and Tax Committee will be discussing the Enterprise Zone program on Monday. We are hoping to see a Proposed Committee Bill but it is not guaranteed. … [Read more...]

This week, Florida Tax Watch was given the opportunity to present to the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee on Enterprise Zones. It continues to be a very contentious issue as we move through this first week of Session. Next week there are meetings scheduled to talk about economic development programs in general, the importance of funding the entire toolkit and especially the business campaign. Take a moment and reach out to your legislators to tell them … [Read more...]

As Session starts next Tuesday and we gear up for an active one, I wanted to share with all of you some exciting news of my own. As I marked my 8th anniversary as FEDC’s CEO yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bob Swindell and Lynn Pitts to let them know I will be stepping down after legislative session which ends May 1st. As many of you know my significant other Erik and I have been together for close to 7 years and because of his distinguished military career as a Colonel in the … [Read more...]

Ready, set go! This was the last week of legislative committee weeks and there are many moving parts. If you were unable to join the legislative affairs call today, here is a recap. The Enterprise Zone discussions and whether or not the legislature will let it sunset was center stage this week. The coalition of many cities, counties, businesses, economic development organizations and associations are feverishly working with the House and Senate and have proposed some reforms. They are in the … [Read more...]

This week Tax Watch released the Enterprise Zone report on Tuesday and we held a press conference on Wednesday at the Capitol to talk about the importance of reauthorizing the Zones. FEDC, Tax Watch, The League of Cities, Florida Retail Association and other participated to show we all want to see reauthorization happen. It will be a heavy lift and we will need everyone’s support. Please stay tuned! On another note, I am pleased to announce that the Florida Economic Development Conference will … [Read more...]

What a busy month January has been! From FEDC's Winter Symposium to Enterprise Florida meetings to IEDC's Leadership Summit, this month has been filled. Kelly Smallridge and the BDB of Palm Beach County hosted the Summit and did a great job! Kudos to Kelly and the Host Committee! February is starting off with a bang as well. FEDC and Tax Watch will release their report on Enterprise Zones next week. Once the report is released, we will have it available for our members. Also, we are working on … [Read more...]

This week gave many FEDC members to meet once again at the Enterprise Florida Stakeholder and Board meetings in Tallahassee. The stakeholders had the opportunity to say goodbye to Gray and to welcome Florida’s new Secretary of Commerce, Bill Johnson. Bill is no stranger to Florida and is credited with many, many successes in Miami, including being the former Miami Port Director. Bill gave brief remarks and is dedicated to keep moving Florida forward. As we embark on a new chapter in moving the … [Read more...]