DEO LAUNCHES PUBLIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES PORTAL
[cid:image001.jpg@01CD709A.E5947A40]
[cid:image002.png@01CD709A.E5947A40]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2012 CONTACT: DEO Communications, (850) 617-5600, media@deo.myflorida.com
DEO LAUNCHES PUBLIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES PORTAL
Website will provide greater transparency and access to the state’s incentives tracking information
TALLAHASSEE – Beginning today, details about Florida’s economic development incentive contracts will be available online and easily accessible to taxpayers. The DEO Economic Development Incentives Portal provides unprecedented access to the performance measurements required in economic development incentive contracts and each company’s progress toward reaching those measurements. It is accessible at www.floridajobs.org/incentivesportal
Currently, the portal includes incentive projects approved from 1996 through 2012 that have completed their performance phases. Visitors will be able to search for projects by type of incentive, company or project name, county, and/or approval date. Additional projects will be periodically added to the portal. Confidential projects as defined by Florida Statutes will be included once their exemption from the state’s public record requirements has expired.
“This incentive portal will allow DEO to provide the public with information on economic development incentives in a transparent, accountable and easy-to-navigate manner,” said Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Hunting F. Deutsch. “I want to thank Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations, chaired by Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto, for working with us on this portal, which will allow users to know the positive impact their tax dollars are having when it comes to economic development incentives and how they support job-creation initiatives for Floridians.”
The Economic Development Incentives Portal is a collaborative effort between DEO and its economic development partner, Enterprise Florida Inc. A public-private partnership, Enterprise Florida identifies companies for job creation in targeted growth industries in which incentives can be vital to securing the business recruitment or expansion opportunity.
“The progress Hunt Deutsch and DEO have made is commendable,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, who serves as President & CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state’s lead economic development organization. “Providing this level of transparency to the economic development incentives process offers a valuable opportunity for Florida citizens to become more knowledgeable and informed about the economic development process.”
Swoope also acknowledged Governor Rick Scott’s leadership in streamlining Florida’s economic development process. “This is another step toward achieving the Governor’s goal of making Florida the No. 1 business climate in the nation,” Swoope said.
About incentives
Florida competes globally to bring jobs to the state from companies that have other location options. Economic development incentives
A core principle of the state’s economic development incentive program is that businesses are paid based on verified performance. All incentive agreements have sanction and clawback provisions to protect the state’s investment. While performance requirements are typically phased and met over multiple years, performance is measured and audited annually.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce and community development efforts. This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities. For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org
###
