Florida News Straight From the Source
At Governor Scott’s direction, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity’s (DEO) Executive Director, Cissy Proctor, traveled to Puerto Rico over the weekend. She was invited by Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello to meet with retailers in Puerto Rico. [Read more…] about DEO Director Cissy Proctor Traveled to Puerto Rico to Meet with Businesses
Governor Rick Scott has directed the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to activate the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses who continue to be affected by the Lake Okeechobee algal bloom and impacts from naturally occurring red tide. The bridge loan program, managed by DEO, provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses experiencing physical or economic loss. [Read more…] about Governor Scott Activates Emergency Bridge Loan Program to Assist Small Businesses Impacted by Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today announced a new economic development plan for Florida, the Florida Strategic Plan for Economic Development 2018-2023. DEO led the development of the five-year, statewide strategic plan to sustain the future of Florida’s growing economy. [Read more…] about Florida’s Strategic Plan for Economic Development 2018-2023 Designed to Sustain Economic Resiliency
Governor Rick Scott announced that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has activated the FloridaDisaster.biz Business Damage Assessment survey to gather information on how algal blooms caused by federal Lake Okeechobee water releases have impacted local business operations. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott: DEO Activates Emergency Business Damage Assessment on Algal Blooms
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today announced the launch of a new website, FloridaDisaster.biz, to help Florida businesses prepare for and recover from hurricanes and other disasters. By providing critical information before, during and after a disaster, the website will help businesses recover and get Floridians back to work following emergencies.
Features of the new website include:
[Read more…] about New Website Will Help Florida Businesses Prepare for Natural Disasters
Governor Rick Scott today announced his 2018-2019 Securing Florida’s Future budget recommendations, which include $1.2 billion to attract businesses and visitors to Florida to continue the state’s incredible economic growth. The Securing Florida’s Future budget also includes an $85 million investment in the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to improve infrastructure and workforce in order to grow the economy across Florida’s local communities.
Governor Scott said, “Florida’s business climate is setting an example for the rest of the nation because of our investments in economic development, cutting taxes for families and job creators, and reducing burdensome regulations. Thanks to this unrelenting focus, Florida has the fastest private-sector job growth rate in the nation and has added more than 1.3 million jobs since December 2010. We will continue to fight to outcompete other locations for new jobs so Florida families can have the opportunities they need to succeed for generations to come.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget will help Florida continue to be the number one state to expand or start a business. Our investments in tax cuts, critical infrastructure and strong communities have helped build a thriving business environment that promotes innovation and job creation all across the state. This budget will ensure prosperity for Florida’s future and keep Florida as the best place to do business and raise a family.”
The Securing Florida’s Future budget includes:
$85 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund to Ensure Florida’s Infrastructure and Workforce Remain Competitive for Job Creation
$23.7 million for Enterprise Florida to Grow and Expand Businesses in Florida
Peter Antonacci, President and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said, “Enterprise Florida is committed to investing in the state’s strong business climate and ensuring continued business expansion to provide opportunities for Florida families. We applaud Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget and commitment to partnering with businesses to ensure economic success now and in the years to come.”
$100 million for VISIT FLORIDA to Promote Florida as the #1 Tourist Destination
Ken Lawson, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA, said, “VISIT FLORIDA is committed to promoting our state’s premier destinations at a great value to hardworking taxpayers. With the Securing Florida’s Future budget, VISIT FLORIDA will continue to market the state to visitors all across the globe, which helps to grow our state’s tourism industry and create jobs in a variety of diverse industries.”
$23 million to Develop the Top STEM Workforce in the Country
Michelle Dennard, CareerSource Florida President and CEO, said, “Governor Scott’s emphasis on workforce training is critical to further strengthen Florida’s competitive position in our global economy. With the proposed increase in Quick Response Training, CareerSource Florida will help thousands of Floridians enhance their skills and opportunities for a prosperous future.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Mark Wilson, President and CEO, Florida Chamber of Commerce, said, “Governor Scott has made every effort to support Florida businesses, and his proposed budget to secure Florida’s future will help create jobs and economic opportunity for all Floridians.”
Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, said, “Florida’s tourism and hospitality industry has flourished under Gov. Scott’s leadership and supports more than 1.4 million jobs. We have seen record numbers of visitors and applaud him for standing with us and investing in our economy with his Securing Florida’s Future budget. His investments in tourism are critical after Hurricane Irma’s devastating impacts, we must let the world know that Florida is still the best place to visit.”
Bill Herrle, Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business/Florida (NFIB), said, “Florida’s strong economy is dependent upon the success of small businesses. Governor Scott’s commitment to smart investments and efficient use of taxpayer dollars has allowed the Sunshine State’s business climate to thrive, bolstering the success of our state’s local companies.”
R. Scott Shalley, President and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said, “Florida’s retailers and consumers continue to prosper under Governor Scott’s leadership. The Securing Florida’s Future budget will ensure Florida’s economy will remain robust by strengthening tourism, developing an even more talented workforce and supporting the continued growth of Sunshine State businesses.”
Tom Feeney, President and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida, said, “Governor Scott’s proposed economic investments will help create the ideal business climate for Florida companies to create new jobs and invest in communities. Businesses will be better equipped to employ jobseekers from Florida’s strong talent pool and skilled workforce.”
Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) today are proud to announce the official start of the 2017 Paychecks for Patriots events, which connect veterans with great careers in their communities. To celebrate Veterans Day this month, DEO is partnering with the CareerSource Florida network, the Florida National Guard, the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and participating Florida employers to hold job fairs for veterans and their families.
Governor Rick Scott said, “The annual Paychecks for Patriots events provide our brave veterans the opportunities they need to get great jobs in our state, and is one more way we are working to keep Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. As a veteran myself, I urge all Florida job creators to participate in these important events, and we will continue to do all we can to recognize our military members and veterans for their service and sacrifice.”
CareerSource Florida centers across the state will be hosting Paychecks for Patriots events Nov. 6-10, 2017, to help build connections between veteran jobseekers and Florida’s job creators. The employers will include national companies, as well as many local employers. More than 1,800 military and veteran candidates and their family members who participated in prior Paychecks for Patriots events across the state have gained employment.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “The Paychecks for Patriots hiring fairs help connect the hardworking people who served our country with the jobs they deserve. Veterans and their families have unique skills, and this career fair gives employers the chance to offer life-changing employment to these specialized candidates. These important events are held throughout the state and show that our local communities are committed to making Florida the most military- and veteran-friendly state in the nation.”
The CareerSource Florida network includes more than 155 workforce professionals statewide, themselves veterans, who are dedicated specifically to assisting other veterans with finding employment year-round. These professionals include specialists who provide intensive services to meet the needs of veterans with service-related disabilities. The CareerSource Florida network helped more than 54,200 veterans with employment services this past year.
CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard said, “Our military veterans and their families make significant contributions to our communities through their talents, skills and dedication. The CareerSource Florida network is honored to serve those who served our country, and is gratified to have helped thousands of veterans secure employment this year.”
Events will be held across Florida during the month of November. More details are available at www.floridajobs.org/paychecksforpatriots.
View Governor Scott’s 2017 Paychecks for Patriots proclamation by clicking here.
The deadline to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. DUA is available to Florida businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Irma. Applications filed after the Nov. 14, 2017, deadline will be considered untimely and DUA benefits may be denied unless applicants provide good cause.
DUA is available to those who:
Applicants must submit their Social Security number, check stubs and documentation to support the claim that they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. In some cases, additional documentation may be required. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the date the DUA application is filed.
DUA is available from weeks of unemployment beginning Sept. 10, 2017, until March 17, 2018, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster. To file a DUA claim go to www.floridajobs.org or call 1-800-204-2418.
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) recently awarded $91,000 in Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grants to eight communities across the state. The grants provide funding that assists local governments in pursuing specific economic development projects or supplementing existing projects.
DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor, said, “DEO is committed to using our resources to help all Florida communities flourish. The Competitive Florida Economic Development Project grants offer valuable tools to help support communities in reaching their local economic development goals.”
Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grants are available to all counties and municipalities to help communities learn more about local assets and economic conditions, and develop specific local projects. Grant awards range from $5,000 and $15,000.
The Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grants for 2017-18 are:
The Competitive Florida Partnership is a two-year program that provides technical assistance and support to rural areas seeking to improve their communities through an asset-based economic development strategy. The Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grants are offered for communities that may already be undertaking economic development efforts and allows local governments to pursue a particular facet of the Competitive Florida model without obligating to the Competitive Florida Partnership.
For more details on the process and provisions of this facet of the Competitive Florida Partnership grant, visit the Competitive Florida Economic Development Project Grant.
The Department of Economic Opportunity announced today that Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent in September, the lowest rate in more than a decade. As of September, Florida’s unemployment rate had dropped 6.9 percentage points since December 2010, faster than the national decline. Private-sector businesses were severely impacted last month by Hurricane Irma, which resulted in survey data showing a reduction of job numbers solely for the month of September. To help Florida families and business owners quickly recover from this massive storm, Governor Scott has activated multiple disaster-related resources, such as the Disaster Unemployment Program, the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program and the Florida Citrus Emergency Loan Program.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud that Florida’s unemployment rate has reached a more than 10-year low of 3.8 percent. However, Hurricane Irma was the largest storm we have seen, which affected our entire state and led to the largest evacuation and power restoration effort. Obviously, our jobs numbers were affected because of this. Florida is a resilient state and we are working around the clock to rebuild and recover from this unprecedented storm. Florida’s economy remains strong and more than 1.3 million private-sector jobs have been created across our state since December 2010. We will continue to fight for jobs every day.”
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “It is great news that Florida’s unemployment rate is at 3.8 percent, the lowest in more than a decade. Florida also continued to have a labor force growing three times faster than the nation’s. Although the state as a whole was impacted by this storm, three large metro areas still had strong over-the-year job gains, showing the strength of our economy. As we restore businesses damaged from this natural disaster, it is more important than ever that we focus on getting Floridians back to work so families throughout the state can continue to flourish.”
Other positive economic indicators include:
To view the September 2017 employment data, CLICK HERE.
