Government

How Can Florida “Grow Smarter”?

The Florida Chamber Foundation today released Florida 2030 Growth and Infrastructure recommendations at its 2018 Growth and Infrastructure Summit, which include preparing Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and development.

“As we prepare for 2030 and identify the challenges and opportunities Florida can take advantage of, we must remember that Florida only succeeds when leaders in industry, business, nonprofit and government collaborate, and work together to secure Florida’s future,” said Todd Powell, Florida Chamber Foundation Chair, and Vice President for Real Estate Development at Weyerhaeuser.

Discussions at the 2018 Growth & Infrastructure Summit today include:

Connectivity

With 15 deepwater seaports, 20 commercial service airports, 2 spaceports, and miles of state highways and mainline rail, Florida is already a leader in connectivity. Florida 2030 strategies focus on ensuring Floridians are not just connected through hard infrastructure, but ensure there are efficient and connected communication systems to increase access to training, jobs and markets from all communities.

Efficient and Connected Transportation Systems

New innovations and technologies are shaping Florida’s future. One Florida 2030 strategy for success includes making sure Florida continues to be a leader in research and deployment of emerging transportation technologies including autonomous, connected, shared, and electric vehicles. The Florida Chamber’s Autonomous Florida statewide initiative works to ensure Florida continues leading the way in autonomous transportation.

“Florida is the leading state for businesses to relocate, to develop, manufacture and deploy autonomous vehicles on public roads,” said Grayson Brulte, President and Co-Founder of Brulte & Company and member of the Florida Chamber’s Autonomous Florida. “As we look toward 2030 and plan for Florida’s future, we want to ensure that innovation continues to prosper and that the future of transportation, on-demand autonomous vehicles, are imagined, built, and deployed in Florida.”

Smarter Growth

With 21.4 million residents, Florida is the third largest state in the nation and expects five million more residents by 2030. Preparing for the future means Florida will need to support development of innovations and new business models for meeting future mobility, water, energy, and other infrastructure needs to foster vibrant and resilient communities. Ensuring Florida has the necessary infrastructure in place will help create quality places and help Florida collaborate at the speed of opportunity.

To help meet this goal, the Florida Chamber’s Infrastructure Coalition, chaired by former Florida Department of Transportation Secretary and President-Designate of the Florida Transportation Builders Association Ananth Prasad, is focused on creating long-term investments in Florida’s energy, water, transportation, telecommunications, and agriculture infrastructure.

Water and Energy Resources

One of the targets outlined in Florida 2030 is to ensure diverse and reliable water resources to meet future demand. During the afternoon portion of the 2018 Growth and Infrastructure Summit, Dr. Brian Lapointe, Florida Atlantic University – Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Research Professor, discussed water quality and the urgency of finding science-based solutions. His panel will include Paul Griffin, Executive Director of EnergyFairness.org, who will cover the future of Florida’s energy resources.

Click here to view the latest edition of the Florida Chamber’s educational Securing Florida’s Water Future video series, featuring Dr. Brian Lapointe.

Florida 2030 recommendations and Summit discussions also included ensuring diverse, attainable housing to meet future demand, making forward-looking land use and design decisions, and creating resilient communities across Florida. Read the key targets and recommendations at www.Florida2030.org.

Members of the media can still access the live stream of the event at www.FloridaChamber.com/GrowthSummitLive. For data on your county, visit TheFloridaScorecard.org.

The Florida Chamber Foundation is the business-led, solutions development and research organization working in partnership with state business leaders to secure Florida’s future. The Foundation’s “Six Pillars” serve as a visioning platform for developing the first-ever, long-term strategic plan for the state. The Foundation’s work focuses on: 1) Talent Supply and Education, 2) Innovation and Economic Development, 3) Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, 4) Business Climate and Competitiveness, 5) Civic and Governance Systems, and 6) Quality of Life and Quality Places. Founded in 1968, the Foundation is a crucial voice for improving the state’s pro-business climate to enable Florida to grow and prosper. Visit www.FLFoundation.org  for more information.