On June 23, 2011, Del Boyette of Boyette Strategic Advisors, an economic development consulting firm, presented his “10 Observations on Florida and Its Ability to Compete in Today’s Economic Development Environment” at the Florida Economic Development Council’s 2011 Annual conference.  These 10 observations are outlined below:

1)      To be competitive, you have to acknowledge and realize that everything is global.

Florida has competitive advantages based on its multi-cultural population and ties to various countries.  However, just being on the East Coast, Florida has certain competitive disadvantages compared to other markets, while simultaneously having comparative disadvantages vis-à-vis other regions with respect to other markets.  With business recruitment, the clear trend is to erase the boundaries between so-called “domestic” and “international” departments.  Many economic development organizations today are approaching all recruitment/investment efforts as “global.”

2)      Florida’s size and diversity often requires comparison to states like California, Texas, and New York.

However, it often competes with Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and other southeastern states.  Economic development is often approached differently in these southeastern U.S. states.  Florida’s challenge is to leverage its assets derived from its size and diversity, while competing like a flatter, more nimble state where economic development is a top-tier priority.

3)      Florida has a reputation for too many layers of agencies that bog down approval processes when compared to some other competitor states.

After Governor Scott’s election, he hosted a group of site location consultants for a roundtable discussion.  This problem was discussed as an issue, and from what I can tell it is being addressed.

4)      Florida’s brand is one of tourism.

To be most competitive in leveraging its marketing dollars, Florida needs to do everything it can to cooperatively work with its tourism agencies to promote a business brand while also marketing to the tourism writer/editor or visitor.  The number of business conventions taking place throughout Florida presents a real advantage and opportunity in this arena.

5)      Understand Facilities Rationalization

Most companies are looking at their overall capacity and analyzing which facilities best contribute to their bottom line, making decisions to expand, consolidate, or close existing facilities.  Ensure you understand your local companies’ needs and desires and work to meet them. Partner with your local corporate representatives to assist them in the internal corporate competition for resources.

6)      In some jurisdictions, Florida has a reputation for uncontrollable public officials at the county and city level that don’t understand and are not supportive of economic development.

To be most competitive, Florida should not air its dirty laundry as it relates to local politics, but instead be the concierge that makes it go smoothly.  This may take lots of one-on-one education to get these officials to understand the competitive landscape.  I can’t tell you the number of times over the years I’ve been told, “Our county commission doesn’t meet in July, so if you want your QTI approved, it will have to be done in June or August.” This would never happen in Georgia, North Carolina, or Tennessee.

7)      Florida needs to move to a Single Sales Factor apportionment for Corporate Income Tax purposes in order to not penalize capital investment and job creation.

HB 143 seemed to address this with significant thresholds.  Most of Florida’s southeastern competitor states have already done so.

8)      Business costs continue to be the primary driver for investment projects.

Talent is a driver as well.  Although many states have unemployment rates higher than 10 percent, finding the right people with the right skill sets is still a challenge, although it may be easier than it was when unemployment rates were lower.  But those who best quantify and qualify the talent pipeline today and in the future have a competitive advantage.

9)      Customer service is often the final differentiation.

Investment projects always have several options, and the pros and cons zero out.  Great, responsive, accurate and relevant customer service can make the difference.  Understanding how to sell your state, region, and community using geographics and demographics is important, but understanding the psychographics of the company as well as the psychographics of the decision-makers could be a differentiator.  Remember, being “a great place to live and raise a family” is not a competitive advantage.

10)   Use the State Business Tax Climate Index to promote and sell Florida.

The Tax Foundation continually ranks Florida 5^th in having the Best Business Tax Climate and the only states that rank better are states like South Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, and Nevada.  Florida will be competitive.  You have great new additions to your professional economic development community, a Governor who is focused on economic development, and state, regional, and local professionals who are committed to getting the job done.  Fine-tuning processes and sitting down with local officials to help them understand their importance to the ED process will ensure your success.

The Florida Eight initiative is designed to help the eight economic development regions form or improve business retention teams, provide team resources and project communications otherwise not available, develop business retention strategic plans, help convene key team members, and help teams identify mutual and exclusive roles and responsibilities. Though the strategic plans must include some consideration of diversification in international markets, and lead to improvement of business retention and recruitment, and employment prospects for the workforce; RBTs will have broad latitude in seeking out and securing the right approaches, tools, and resources to get the job accomplished. Flexibilities may include: policy, collaboration, new approaches to incumbent industry data and trends, relationship management with incumbent industries, better utilization of existing or nascent tools, improved data collection, and/or sharing common resources cross-regions.

The Analysts’ Briefing will provide overview of the filing protocol and MOU development requirement for RBT applicants, as well as discussion of the resources that will be made available through the initiative, such as a virtual team ream website for each RBT. The application process for RBTs will be discussed during the briefing as well. Although the briefing will be digitally recorded for later playback, live participation is encouraged so that questions can be raised for all to learn in real-time.

Friday’s e-newsletter will include links to a deeper briefing packet about The Florida Eight, and I encourage you to watch for these details and also share with your regional partners and neighbors. Please share this SAVE-THE-DATE now with those in your region who may be interested in RBT leadership or participation, and reference additional details in the briefing packet <<insert here>> or online at www.workforceflorida.com.

The webinar briefing can be viewed HERE.

June 24, 2011     Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport

The STEMflorida Think Tank is being held in conjunction with the 2011 FEDC Annual Conference, in recognition of the need for STEM and STEM talent development to provide responsive, collaborative demand-driven solutions for employers and economic development in our state. The morning hours include an exhibit session for hands-on learning of STEM applied programs and educational initiatives. After the FEDC Conference adjourns, STEMflorida Think Tank participants will address questions including:

§  What is STEM? – What is a STEM Job? – What is a STEM Industry?

§  The Best STEM Scorecard in the Americas – How do we gauge success and proficiency in STEM for our state and our regions?

§  What tools are available for regions and communities looking to support or bolster STEM proficiency?

§  How does STEM fit into Governor Scott’s 7 – 7 – 7 plan and our state’s vision for economic development strategy?

§  Who must we compete with to win in STEM?

We also have a couple calls for information/action:

§  We are calling for regional best practices – collaboratives or initiatives prioritizing and taking action on STEM based on the needs and unique characteristics of their regions.

§  We are also calling for best practices in STEM applied programs/educational initiatives – university-based, school-based, or employ-based. Select STEM applied programs identified as best practices are needed at the Think Tank for a morning-long exhibit to help Think Tank participants learn about the best hands-on, on-the-ground applications of STEM in Florida today.

Attendees Will Learn About Florida’s Model and Best Practices

(Orlando, FL) — The Florida Economic Gardening Institute in conjunction with the University of Central Florida will host the 9^th Annual National Economic Gardening Conference in Orlando on May 19-20, 2011. The conference’s primary focus is to give business leaders and economic development representatives the tools necessary to develop viable business development programs that will strengthen their communities, regions and states.  Practitioners and speakers from across the country will convene to share ideas and teach new ways to stabilize and grow existing businesses, while learning about the Florida model.

“The theme of the conference this year is going to be focused on the success of the Florida pilot project.  We have been able to scale up the Littleton, Colorado program to a state the size of Florida with high fidelity.  We will explore all the components that led to that success.” said Chris Gibbons, Co-Creator of Economic Gardening.

The conference will begin with a networking reception on Thursday, May 19 at Casa Feliz, the beautifully restored Spanish Farmhouse designed by acclaimed architect James Gamble Rogers located in Winter Park.  The conference will be held at the state-of-the-art facilities at the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The scheduled sessions will cover a variety of topics including Entrepreneurs in the Florida Pilot Economic Gardening Program, Building Local Engagement, Outreach and Marketing Strategies, Organizational Culture Perspectives, a Panel Discussion on Other State Programs and their Best Practices, along with many others.

According to Dr. Tom O’Neal, Executive Director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, “We look forward to hosting this important and growing event and look forward to the opportunity to share how economic gardening has reshaped the economic development landscape in Florida.”

The cost of the conference is $150 per person through April 30^th, and $175 through May 18^th, and $200 per person at the door. There are also lodging discounts for conference guests at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. For more information including sponsorships and registration please log on to www.NEGC2011.com or call 407-823-6384 for additional information.  Attire for the conference is business casual.

Florida Economic Gardening Institute (FEGI)

The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Pilot Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state.  Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors:  Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services.  Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com

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The Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida was established in 2009 and continues to provide services via the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance program, known as GrowFL. With various partnerships throughout the state, including Orange County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Institute collaborates with statewide partners to support the growth of second-stage businesses through localized entrepreneurial ecosystems.  Services provided include business strategy review, market research/competitive intelligence, internet/social media strategy review and search engine optimization assessments.  If you are interested in how to better integrate GrowFL into your local offerings or participate in the program, please contact GrowFL at 407-823-6384 or info@growfl.com.

Meeting 5 Notes

The meeting notes from the team’s most recent discussion are attached here in PDF format: STEMflorida Session Notes5 FINAL. If you have questions or comments, please email them directly to Teresa barber at Tbarber@fairfieldindex.com. These notes will also be posted on STEMflorida.net. Please remember to share these notes with colleagues and partners in your industry, region, and community!

BSC Industry Ambassadors

Thank you to the many STEMflorida Business Steering Council (BSC) members who have offered their time and leadership to serve in the role of BSC Industry Ambassador. A few industry assignments remain for BSC members who would still like to volunteer for this important work.

BSC Meeting 6 Agenda

The Agenda for the next STEMflorida BSC meeting, scheduled as a face to face in Tallahassee at the Workforce Florida offices is attached here in PDF: STEMflorida BSC Mtng6 Agenda FINAL. Additional details on logistics and webinar/teleconference information, for those unable to join in person, are shown below. Please remember to RSVP via email if you plan to attend in person or join by phone/webinar.

STEMflorida Business Steering Council – Meeting 6

Tuesday – March 15, 2011 – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET

1580 Waldo Palmer Lane, Suite 1

Tallahassee, Florida  32308

A webinar platform has been designated for those who will not be able to join us in person:

http://dynamicinstitute.adobeconnect.com/stem/

Also for those joining by phone/webinar, teleconference information for next week’s discussion is below:

Call In: 888.808.6959

Pass Code: 4147639

Throughout session we will be asking you to provide input and share your knowledge on a variety of topics regarding economic development. Today we ask you, “What should Florida measure to determine a strong business climate and to be competitive?”

Comment below and become a part of the conversation! Don’t forget to share this with your fellow economic development professionals!



The Florida Economic Development Council, in an effort to further improve our professional development tools for our members, will be introducing webinars at the end of February 2011. We want to create a series of webinars around the topics you need the most in order to grow your community’s economy and meet your continuing education requirements.

Our first webinar is focused around incentives. Please share with us what you need to know about the state process when using incentives. You can comment below and ask questions you have about the state process for incentives and also suggest topics for our upcoming webinars!

Although the Forum are free, registration is required to facilitate seating. You may register for one of the events on line at floridaosba.org/forums.php. Or, if you are unable to attend one of the forums and would like to provide us with recommendations on what the State of Florida could do to facilitate small and medium-sized business expansion, you may complete the on line survey posted on our website www.FloridaOSBA.org<http://www.FloridaOSBA.org

Forum Schedule