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Gov. Scott: Next Horizon to Expand in Sanford and Create More Than 20 New Jobs at New Corporate Headquarters

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Next Horizon will be expanding to a new corporate headquarters in Seminole County and will be creating more than 20 new jobs. The company will also invest $1.9 million in the local community. Next Horizon is a Sanford-based technology company specializing in IT managed services, application development and digital marketing solutions that currently employs more than 26 Floridians.

Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Next Horizon will be expanding in Sanford and creating more than 20 new jobs in Seminole County. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and have led to the creation of nearly 1.5 million jobs since 2011. Our focus remains on growing our economy by creating an environment where companies like Next Horizon can grow and hire more Floridians.”

The more than 20 new jobs will include positions for full time application developers, quality assurance professionals, and project managers, and will pay an average of 84 percent more than Seminole County’s annual average wage. Next Horizon will build the new facility adjacent to its current location in Sanford. Construction is scheduled to start December 2018 with completion slated for fourth quarter in 2019.

Next Horizon President and CIO Harry Ellis, III, said, “As our company grew, we had to consider all our options and decide how best to expand. The city of Sanford and Seminole County came together to meet our needs and create a business-friendly means for expansion. We have a wealth of resources here – educated professionals, creative designers, and a vibrant and engaged business community. We foresee an exciting and successful future right here in Sanford and this partnership has fueled our path to growth.”

The project was made possible through strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the Orlando Economic Partnership, Seminole County Government and the city of Sanford. The Partnership assisted Next Horizon by validating the region’s labor market and business value proposition as well as providing connections to talent recruitment resources.

Peter Antonacci, CEO of Enterprise Florida, said, “Next Horizon’s expansion will bring new high wage jobs to Florida families. This represents a big win for Seminole County.”

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, said, “Congratulations to Next Horizon on the expansion of its corporate headquarters, another sign that Florida’s business friendly policies are having significant impacts on our economy. These high wage jobs in Seminole County will provide opportunities for hardworking Floridians in the technology industry.”

Seminole County Commission Chairman John Horan said, “Our Commission is pleased to support one of our existing businesses as they can continue to thrive in Seminole County. The high-tech sector is one of the fastest growing in our area, and the growth of Next Horizon demonstrates why it is important that government remain involved and supportive of economic development.”

Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett said, “Next Horizon has been a tremendous corporate citizen in the city of Sanford for many years. The company provides high wage, high value employment for the citizens of our community. We are very excited that during this time of growth, they have decided to expand operations in Sanford.”

Orlando Economic Partnership President and CEO Tim Giuliani said, “As Orlando’s economy continues to grow, we are seeing more companies choosing to stay in our market. In addition, our region is rich in tech talent and in Seminole County alone, there’s been a 23 percent growth rate in the number of software developers over the past four years. The key to Next Horizon’s growth has been the company’s ability to successfully find and attract highly skilled workers.”

Next Horizon Networking & Technology has been serving the Central Florida area for more than 25 years, Next Horizon makes sense of technology, digital marketing, custom development, and IT Managed Solutions. Next Horizon helps customers by focusing on reducing client costs, increasing productivity and decreasing downtime. Next Horizon’s staff of certified IT technicians, staff programmers, web design developers and graphic designers offer complete technology solutions to businesses, from supporting client IT departments, developing custom software, to driving conversions from Internet visitors through strategic, creative and measurable internet marketing campaigns. Next Horizon is led by President, Harry Ellis III, who in 2017 was named one of Orlando Business Journal’s CEOs of the Year.

Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for Florida. EFI facilitates job growth through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, promotion of sporting events, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses. EFI launched “Florida – The Future is Here” to promote the state as the nation’s premier business destination.

The Orlando Economic Partnership (the Partnership) works to provide the Orlando region with quality jobs, economic growth, broad-based prosperity and a sustainable quality of life. It is a not-for-profit, public/private partnership representing Central Florida’s seven counties – Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia – as well as the City of Orlando. The Partnership was formed from the merger of the Central Florida Partnership and the Orlando Economic Development Commission. For more information, visit Orlando.org.

Gov. Scott: After Months of Advocating, Federal Disaster Relief Heading to Florida

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After months of advocating for Congress to pass disaster relief for Florida, Governor Scott made the following statement following the passage of disaster funding for Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and California.

Governor Rick Scott said, “For months, we have worked to ensure that Florida is provided the needed federal relief following Hurricane Irma. In October, I personally traveled to Washington to begin this conversation with Florida’s entire Congressional delegation, Congressional leadership and various federal officials. Today, Congress finally provided the relief we were seeking for Florida families and businesses. The funding provided today will help the recovery of our state’s iconic citrus industry, better prepare our communities as they continue to welcome families displaced by Hurricane Maria and aid in Puerto Rico’s recovery. I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico three times since the island was devastated by Maria, and Florida continues to stand with our fellow Americans.

“At my request, this relief also includes funding to speed the critical repairs to the federally-operated Herbert Hoover Dike. During Hurricane Irma, I ordered the evacuation of many communities surrounding the Dike to keep people safe. At my urging, and after securing a commitment from the White House, Congress has finally made funding available for this federal project. I will continue to fight for these repairs and will stop at nothing until the communities and the environment surrounding the dike are fully protected.”

Action taken by Governor Scott following Hurricanes Irma and Maria to urge federal disaster relief:

  • On September 28th, at the request of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló, Governor Scott traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to help coordinate response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
  • On October 5th, the Governor entered into a host-state agreement with FEMA – Florida is the only state willing to enter into this type of agreement to help families displaced by Hurricane Maria.
  • On October 6th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
  • On October 11th, Governor Scott traveled to Washington D.C. joined by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to meet with members of the Florida congressional delegation to discuss Hurricane Irma and Florida’s citrus industry.
  • On October 11th, Governor Scott met with Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Congressman Mike Conaway, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Congressman Michael McCaul, and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón.
  • On October 11th, November 13th and November 17th, the Governor spoke with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney regarding federal disaster relief.
  • On October 26th, President Donald J. Trump instructed the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney to accelerate the completion of repairs to Florida’s Herbert Hoover Dike.
  • On October 30th, the Governor’s office sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget. See the letter HERE.
  • On November 3rd, Governor Scott led a delegation of Florida utility providers to Puerto Rico at the invitation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
  • On November 9th, the Governor activated the State Emergency Response Team to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria. See the Governor’s press release HERE.
  • On November 15th, the Governor sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Ryan urging them to support Florida’s recovery following Hurricane Irma, Florida’s efforts to support those displaced from Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ongoing repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. See the Governor’s letter HERE.
  • On November 28th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson regarding Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Irma.
  • On December 15th, the Governor spoke to House Speaker Paul Ryan urging immediate action to help Florida citrus growers.
  • On December 19th, the Governor spoke with Chairman John Hoeven of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
  • On December 19th, the Governor spoke with Congressman Vern Buchanan regarding citrus relief.
  • On December 20th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
  • On December 20th, Governor Scott spoke with Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development regarding repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
  • On December 21st, Governor Scott spoke with Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development regarding repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
  • On December 21st, Governor Scott spoke with Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón regarding Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane Maria.
  • On December 22nd, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen regarding recovery efforts for Florida and Puerto Rico.
  • On December 31st, Governor Scott met with President Donald Trump regarding the need for federal aid for the recovery of Florida’s citrus industry and the needed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
  • On January 3rd, Governor Scott sent a letter to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations urging the Senate to immediately pass a significant Hurricane Irma and Maria disaster relief package. See the Governor’s letter HERE.
  • On January 11th, Governor Scott spoke with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long regarding the FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program and the importance of continued communication between federal, state and local partners as families continue to recover from Hurricane Maria.
  • On January 12th, Governor Scott met with Governor Ricardo Rosselló and joined him for a Puerto Rico recovery town hall meeting to discuss ongoing relief efforts.
  • On January 24th, Governor Scott, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, California Governor Jerry Brown and Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló issued a joint letter urging the U.S. Senate to improve and expeditiously pass supplemental disaster funding, and for Congress to send the bill to the President. See the letter HERE.
  • On January 31st, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding disaster relief funding.
  • On February 1st, Governor Scott spoke with Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Florida citrus leaders regarding federal disaster relief.
  • On February 5th, Governor Scott visited Puerto Rico With Governor Ricardo Rosselló to assist with ongoing Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.
  • On February 7th, Governor Scott spoke with FEMA Administrator Brock Long regarding Governor Scott’s recent trip to Puerto Rico.

Highlights of the $89.3 billion federal disaster funding package includes:

  • $3.597 billion for citrus and agriculture, which will help Florida’s iconic citrus industry after Hurricane Irma;
  • $17.39 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, which will help the federal government fund the much-needed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike;
  • $1.65 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), which will provide much needed SBA disaster assistance loans to Florida job creators;
  • $23.5 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which will help fund the recovery efforts of the State of Florida and local communities;
  • $2.46 billion for the U.S. Department of Education, which will help aid all students, including those from Puerto Rico who are displaced in Florida at elementary, secondary, and higher education schools; and
  • $28 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will assist in rebuilding and repairing Florida homes, businesses, and communities.

Governor Scott Proclaims Florida Foster Family Appreciation Week

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Governor Rick Scott proclaimed the second week of February as Florida Foster Family Appreciation Week, observed on February 12-18, 2018, to celebrate those who protect and offer hope to Florida’s most vulnerable children.

There are approximately 7,184 children in Florida who live with foster families. Foster parents take on the responsibility of providing a supportive, safe, and loving home to children who have been abused or neglected, as well as being a role model for biological parents working towards reunification. These families encourage the success of Florida’s next generation of leaders, parents, and future foster parents.

“While their time with the child may be temporary, the impacts that foster parents have on these children last a lifetime”, said DCF Secretary Mike Carroll. “Not only do foster parents open their homes to children in need, they also support them in a time when they need someone to trust and look up to. Being a foster parent is a selfless act that should be commended and celebrated”.

“Individuals and families who have opened their homes and hearts to Florida’s children and youth in crisis are a testament to the commitment our communities are making to ensuring every child in Florida is in a safe and loving home,” said Florida Coalition for Children CEO Kurt Kelly. “However, as we celebrate these thousands of generous families, we must also remember there are still hundreds of children in need.  We hope in sharing the joy fostering can bring into a home, many more families step forward.”

Approximately 5,272 foster families are currently licensed through the State of Florida. All foster parents in Florida must attend an orientation, complete foster parent training, have a child abuse and criminal background check, and participate in a home study and inspection. DCF contracts with lead Community-Based Care agencies that recruit and train families across Florida who serve as foster parents.

During the week of February 12-18, 2018, DCF will be recognizing Florida’s foster parents that exemplify what it means to be compassionate, dedicated, and caring towards Florida’s youth via the department’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Gov. Scott Directs DEP to Expedite Additional Marine Debris Clean-Up in Monroe County Waterways

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that, at his direction, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), with assistance from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), has signed an agreement with Monroe County to assist in the clean-up and removal of marine debris caused by Hurricane Irma. Following the significant and widespread damage caused by Hurricane Irma, Monroe County expended its available funding resources for clean-up activities.

The state has now agreed to cover the costs of debris removal to ensure that this important marine debris clean-up work can begin immediately since the local government has used all available funding. The state will be reimbursed by the county once Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements are received.

Under the agreement, DEP will provide $6 million and immediately begin overseeing the cleanup of marine debris in impacted canals and nearshore waters in Monroe County. The county will provide local coordination for the clean-up effort and FDEM will assist the county in applying for reimbursements from FEMA.

Governor Scott said, “Since Hurricane Irma impacted our state, communities across Florida have been working tirelessly to clean-up and recover from this destructive storm. The Florida Keys undoubtedly experienced significant damage when the storm made landfall at Cudjoe Key. We’re doing everything we can to help Monroe County and the Florida Keys as they continue to recover from Irma and I am proud to direct DEP to enter this agreement and immediately get to work removing debris. In Florida, we know that our pristine environment is a big part of what drives our booming tourism industry and this is especially true for the Florida Keys.”

DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein said, “The Florida Department of Environment Protection’s top priority is protecting our state’s world-renowned natural and water resources. We are honored to partner with Monroe County to help with this unprecedented and complex clean up.”

FDEM Director Wes Maul said, “I am proud that we were able to help Monroe County enter into this agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection. Thanks to Governor Scott’s leadership and support, working directly with DEP will be the best and fastest way to clear the debris remaining in these waterways following Hurricane Irma’s devastating impact. FDEM staff will continue working hand-in-hand with our state and local partners to ensure not only that impacted communities recover successfully, but that every available federal reimbursement dollar is delivered as quickly as possible.”

Gov. Scott and Florida Cabinet “Flip the Switch” to Open Florida State Fair

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The Governor and Florida Cabinet (l-r) Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi stand with Florida State Fair Board Chairman Doyle Carlton III and military and first responders to “flip the switch” for the 114th Florida State Fair.

Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Attorney General Pam Bondi – today kicked off the Florida State Fair with the annual “flip the switch” ceremony, turning on the lights to the nation’s largest traveling Ferris wheel.

The Florida State Fair is a 12-day salute to the state’s best in agriculture, entertainment and food. Opening day of the Florida State Fair is “Salute to Heroes” day, and it continues the longstanding tradition of welcoming active duty military, veterans and first responders free of charge in recognition of their service to Florida and the nation.

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Gov. Scott Announces New Partnership to Connect Families Displaced by Hurricane Maria with Jobs in Florida

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Following a recently announced $1 million investment in Florida’s workforce system to help Puerto Rican families find jobs, today, Governor Rick Scott announced a new job placement partnership between education, business and workforce development organizations. CareerSource South Florida, the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida and the Ana G. Méndez University System will work together to connect families relocating from Puerto Rico with available job positions and provide needed job training. Today’s announcement took place on the South Florida campus of the Ana G. Méndez University System, which has provided scholarships for more than 50 Puerto Rican students to continue their studies in Florida.

Governor Scott said, “This week, I visited Puerto Rico and assured everyone there that Florida will continue to help those displaced by Hurricane Maria in any way that we can. A large part of any family’s success is the ability to find a good job. That is why I recently announced a $1 million investment into Florida’s workforce system to help connect those displaced by Hurricane Maria with job opportunities in Florida. Our state currently has more than 260,000 job opportunities because of our focus on the economy, and this new partnership will make sure that every family has the ability to support themselves and get back on their feet.”

DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “As Floridians, we understand the importance of returning to work after a natural disaster. DEO is proud to work with local CareerSource Florida workforce boards across the state to connect dislocated job seekers with job opportunities. We will continue to use these grants and all other resources we have available to help families impacted by Hurricane Maria return to work.”

President of Ana G. Mendez University Jose F. Mendéz Mendéz said, “The Ana G. Mendéz University System feels honored to be part of this collaborative alliance. I appreciate Governor Scott’s efforts and those of all who make it possible to fulfill his public policy of helping our people on the Island; particularly, for all the initiatives created for the thousands of families who have decided to turn Florida into their new home. Our learning centers in Florida, through our Dual Language Immersion Program, are the ideal place for the Hispanic community to acquire the necessary skills for the challenges that professionals face in today’s business world.”

CareerSource Florida President and CEO Michelle Dennard said, “The CareerSource Florida network shares the commitment of our business and education partners to help families impacted by Hurricane Maria rebuild their lives. We are grateful to Governor Scott for his leadership in providing all available resources to assist our neighbors, and we are excited to be part of this new initiative.”

CareerSource South Florida Executive Director Rick Beasley said, “My team looks forward to working closely with the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of South Florida to ensure the business community knows the wide range of skills job seekers who have relocated due to Hurricane Maria bring to our workforce. CareerSource South Florida also stands ready to assist Ana G. Mendez University students with finding job opportunities upon graduation.”

President of the South Florida Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Dynamic Community Development Corporation Luis De Rosa said, “Governor Scott has been a champion for the people of Puerto Rico as they recover from Hurricane Maria, and the South Florida business community is working tirelessly to assist in these efforts. Joining forces with CareerSource South Florida and Ana G. Méndez University will extend our reach and our ability to help these families.”

CareerSource South Florida and CareerSource Central Florida are continuing to provide employment services at Multi-Agency Resource Centers in the Orlando area and Miami International Airport to Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria. Several local workforce development boards have held recruiting fairs and workshops to assist Floridians and others impacted by last year’s hurricanes. For additional information about employment opportunities, please visit employflorida.com, available in English and Spanish.

Gov. Scott Announces $35 Million Investments from Florida Job Growth Grant Fund Across State

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Governor Rick Scott today announced $35 million in awards for nine Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects across the state. This includes $6 million for the City of Jacksonville to construct a new 1.5-mile access-roadway to the city-owned Cecil Commerce Center Mega Site in support of the area’s growing manufacturing industry. All of the awarded economic development projects will help enhance community infrastructure or develop workforce training programs and have demonstrated a strong return on investment. The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund was established by Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature last year to encourage continued economic growth across Florida communities. The Governor’s recommended 2018-2019 budget includes $85 million in continuation funding for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.

Governor Scott said, “Last year, I worked with the Florida Legislature to establish the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to help continue our state’s incredible economic growth by addressing specific infrastructure and workforce needs in our communities. Today, I am proud to announce $35 million in awards for nine Florida Job Growth Grant Fund projects. We have worked to ensure that every awarded project will strengthen Florida’s business climate and bring the best return on investment for Florida taxpayers. Florida is competing in a global economy, and we must do everything we can to ensure our state remains the top destination for families and job creators to succeed. We will continue to work with the legislature to invest $85 million in the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, and I look forward to seeing the successful completion of these projects.”

The nine awarded projects include:

  • Liberty County Board of County Commissioners ($1,448,831) for the construction of a turning lane on Highway 65 South at the intersection of U.S. Forest Service Road 103, and paving 1.5 miles of the service road to create access to more than 500 acres of property for economic development.
  • Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners ($3,125,000) to provide water supply and fire protection to the Interstate 75 and County Road 136 interchange.
  • City of Jacksonville ($6,000,000) for the construction of a new 1.5-mile access roadway to the city-owned Cecil Commerce Center Mega Site to provide access for the manufacturing industry.
  • Canaveral Port Authority ($8,245,000) to improve roadway access to cruise and cargo terminals by increasing roadway capacity for Northside Cargo roads, new intersection signals for public safety and cargo traffic control, and revisions to North Side Cruise Roadway Network to facilitate cruise operations.
  • Columbia County ($3,135,600) for the construction of the North Florida Mega Industrial Park Rail Project, which will run parallel to Highway 90, allowing developers access to an industrial park of more than 2,600 acres.
  • City of Alachua ($6,755,000) for construction of San Felasco Parkway and nearby utilities, connecting a large bioscience cluster – including the University of Florida Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute – to a shovel-ready site of 280 acres.
  • City of Port St. Lucie ($3,003,247) for the development of a roadway improvement project, which will provide access to 100 acres of undeveloped land in Tradition Commerce Park, an area which has the space to accommodate approximately 1.1 million square feet of commercial development.
  • Pensacola State College ($1,860,510) for workforce training programs that will increase the number of students earning industry-recognized credentials and degrees required to enter and advance in the workforce for targeted industries, including advanced manufacturing, aviation maintenance, welding, cybersecurity/information technology, nursing, transportation and construction trades.
  • Washington County Board of County Commissioners ($1,821,461) to build water and sewer infrastructure that will replace the need for future wells and septic systems as a part of the development of a 1,525-acre commercial/industrial/mixed use development district.

These proposals were reviewed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Enterprise Florida (EFI) and chosen by Governor Scott based on their strong return on investment to the state and to meet the demand for a robust workforce or infrastructure needs. Return on investment was calculated to determine the best projects for the state and economic development in the regions.

Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO, said, “We have worked diligently to evaluate more than 225 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals requesting more than $821 million in funding. Each selected proposal has a strong return on investment and a commitment to improve the regional economic climate by meeting specific workforce and infrastructure needs. We look forward to the opportunities this funding will bring families across the Sunshine State.”

Peter Antonacci, CEO of EFI, “Enterprise Florida’s Board of Directors are thrilled to work with DEO to ensure Florida’s families are getting the best return on investment from our tax dollars. Funding these projects will continue to make Florida the best place to create jobs and raise a family.” 

For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.

Gov. Scott Directs FDOT to Implement Evacuation and Fuel Capacity Improvements During Emergencies

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Today, Governor Rick Scott directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to implement both immediate and long-term improvements to help Florida residents, businesses and visitors during emergencies. Following Hurricane Irma, Governor Scott directed FDOT to begin examining ways to help expedite evacuation routes from the I-75/ Florida Turnpike Interchange near Wildwood to the Florida-Georgia border, as well as ways to increase fuel capacity during state storm emergencies. The improvements FDOT is adopting are based on the findings of these reports. 

Governor Scott said, “As Florida continues to recover from Hurricane Irma, the largest storm to impact our state in modern history, it is critically important that we continue to do all we can to make sure our state is fully prepared in the face of any potential disaster. Last fall, I directed FDOT to examine ways to improve evacuations and fuel capacity and following the completion of these reports, I have directed the agency to implement short and long-term improvements that will help protect our families and visitors. These improvements will ensure that Florida continues to be a national leader in emergency management and solely focused on keeping families safe.”

Short-term evacuation-related improvements to be implemented no later than June at the direction of Governor Scott include:

  • Expanding Emergency Shoulder Use (ESU) along key interstate routes;
  • Beginning installation of cameras and dynamic message signs on I-75 from Ocala to the Georgia state line; and
  • Increasing the department’s Florida 511 website system to accommodate increased usage.

Long-term evacuation-related improvements to be implemented at the direction of Governor Scott include:

  • Completing the I-75/Turnpike interchange construction in 2019;
  • Beginning construction to widen Florida’s Turnpike to six lanes from the Lake/Sumter county line to the CR 468 interchange in 2023 and from the CR 468 interchange to I-75 in 2025; and
  • Studying the deployment of traffic management tools along the US 19/98/27 route for emergency evacuation.

Short-term fuel-related improvements to be implemented no later than July at the direction of Governor Scott include:

  • Working with the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) and law enforcement to identify critical gas stations along state evacuation routes and plan for more efficient fuel service during emergencies;
  • Assessing options for expanding fuel capacity at existing department owned facilities for first responders; and
  • Coordinating with neighboring states on a communications plan on the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles during emergencies.

Long-term fuel-related improvements to be implemented at the direction of Governor Scott include:

  • Assessing options for additional fuel storage and dispensing at fuel terminals in collaboration with Florida Ports and the fuel industry.

To view the full FDOT reports, please see the links below:

Hurricane Irma – Emergency Evacuation Report and Recommendations

Hurricane Irma’s Effect on Florida’s Fuel Distribution System and Recommended Improvement

Gov. Scott Highlights Proposed $50 Million for the Federal Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee

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Today, Governor Rick Scott joined members of the Clewiston and Belle Glade communities to highlight his proposed $50 million investment to expedite repairs for the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike at Lake Okeechobee. This funding is part of the Governor’s historic $1.7 billion recommended investment for Florida’s environment and will build on the $50 million in this year’s state budget to kick-start critical repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. Governor Scott is the first governor in Florida history to invest state money into this critical federal project. In October, the Governor secured the commitment of White House Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney to accelerate the completion of repairs to Florida’s Herbert Hoover Dike. See more HERE.

Gov. Scott: Florida Job Demand Outpaced the Nation

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More than 7,000 Job Openings Added in the Last Year

Governor Rick Scott today announced that job demand in Florida increased by 2.8 percent over-the-year in December by adding 7,342 job openings. Florida’s job demand outpaced the nation’s demand, which increased by only 0.3 percent over-the-year in December. There were a total of 265,244 job openings across Florida in December, according to Help Wanted OnLine. In December, Florida also had the fourth-highest over-the-year increase in job openings out of the 10 most populous states.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Florida job demand outpaced the nation last year, further proving that Florida remains an ideal location to find a good job and raise a family. Florida businesses are hiring here because we have worked every day for the past seven years to cut taxes and reduce regulations to make it easier for job creators to invest in creating new opportunities. Last year was a great year for families to find the jobs needed to succeed and we look forward to another year of economic growth across our state.”
In December, more than 68,000 advertised positions were in STEM-related fields. The top occupation in demand continued to be registered nurses, with nearly 14,000 openings across the state. The job demand over-the-year growth rate was highest in the following cities: Hollywood, Tallahassee, Gainesville and Melbourne. Hollywood had the highest percentage gain in online job demand over-the-year, with job ads climbing 29.2 percent since December 2016. Over the last year, Florida businesses also created more jobs than any other state in the trade, transportation and utilities industry, with 33,600 new jobs.
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “Our state’s job demand over-the-year is growing more than nine times faster than the nation’s. This rapid pace is due to the vast amount of small, medium and large businesses that want to hire hardworking, qualified Floridians. Our goal is to match jobseekers with these openings and ensure that every Floridian who is looking for an opportunity is able to find one.”