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A Message from FPL's Office of Economic Development
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Hi Friends,
Today I asked my Amazon Alexa, "What is the best state in the U.S. for Amazon's second headquarters?" and we know now that this answer could be Florida, with South Florida being named
one of 20 finalists out of 238 competitive pitches.
This national listing puts Florida in the 2018 spotlight, building upon our reputation as the #2 Best State for Business, as honored by Chief Executive Magazine in 2017. A
recent report by 24/7 Wall St lists our state as having the best infrastructure in the nation, based on its review of federal records on the conditions of roads, bridges, dams, and the prioritization of highway spending.
Our growth prospects continue to be bright. The Florida Chamber Foundation predicts our state will become a
$1 trillion economy by the end of 2018, positioned for another year of strong growth. According to the Florida Chamber Foundation, since the recession, Florida has created an average of 1 in every 10 jobs in the U.S. and for the eighth year in a row, Florida's job creation is expected to outpace the U.S. Our state is well-positioned because of the work of economic development professionals like you who care about making Florida the best state for economic prosperity.
While we continue to be recognized nationally, we need to communicate the value of economic development within our state. That's why I encourage you to stay involved with Florida Economic Development Council's (FEDC) efforts surrounding
House Bill 3
and
Senate Bill 1714.
FEDC is coordinating with many groups in our state including the Florida Chamber, Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties to address certain aspects of this bill. Advocacy efforts provided by FEDC uniquely addresses the needs of economic development practitioners. FEDC also focuses on educational opportunities to help you improve your skills. If you haven't already made plans, I encourage you and your team to
attend FEDC's Annual Conference in Sanibel this May.
Looking ahead, you'll continue to have the unwavering support of FPL's Office of Economic Development. We will continue to work side-by-side with you to bring jobs to Florida. Our team is energized about adopting a new, three-year strategic playbook for economic development, which we will unveil to you soon. Meanwhile, do not hesitate to ask us for support with projects - the earlier you bring us in, the more we can do to help. And, don't forget to get your best sites and buildings listed on
PoweringFlorida.com and utilize
FPL's Resource Center
, a one-stop shop to enhance your community's marketing and outreach efforts. We will also offer our Energy 101 course again this year, a free one-day energy basics course tailored to economic development professionals, and Illumination, a unique way for you and your stakeholders to connect with site selection and corporate real estate professionals.
FPL's economic development team looks forward to working with you this year to move the Florida economy forward, making us the top state for business in 2018.
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Crystal Stiles
Director of FPL's Office of Economic Development
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| FPL Resources
External marketing website with property listings from Florida's 67 counties.
Evaluate your community's competitive advantages and access corporate databases for recruitment.
Helping small businesses increase competitiveness and market share.
Information on prequalified sites and Florida's data center recruitment efforts.
Find out if a property is within FPL's service territory.
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Incentives and Rates
Eligible businesses must create at least 25 new jobs per 350 kW of new demand.
Eligible businesses must have a load of 2,000 kW or greater served by a single meter, and be part of a competitive project with opportunities for lower rates outside FPL territory.
See how FPL's latest rates compare.
Rate Quote Worksheet
Use this worksheet to fill in required information to receive a rate quote.
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South Florida named as one of only 20 finalists for Amazon's HQ2
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Amazon recently announced a short list of places that could become home to its second headquarters, with South Florida, specifically Miami, making the short list out of 238 cities.
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Florida leads the nation in infrastructure
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A new report suggests Florida takes care of its infrastructure better than any other state. The analysis by 24/7 Wall St, a financial reporting firm, puts the Sunshine State at the top of the heap based on its review of federal records on the conditions of roads, bridges, dams. It also looked at how much each state prioritizes highway spending.
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Florida predicted to be a 1 trillion economy in 2018
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The Florida Chamber Foundation researchers predict Florida will become a $1 trillion economy by the end of 2018, already larger than Saudi Arabia and is preparing to overtake Mexico's spot in the global economy in the coming year. An outline of key findings announced today at the Florida Chamber Foundation's 2018 Economic Outlook Summit include:
- Since the recession, Florida has created an average of 1 in every 10 jobs in the U.S.
- Florida is predicted to create 180,000 jobs in 2018.
- For the eighth year in a row, Florida's job creation is expected to outpace the U.S.
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Join statewide economic development professionals for FEDC's Annual Conference |
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Don't miss out on the opportunity to attend the 2018 FEDC Annual Conference at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott on May 21 - 23, 2018.
Also, now is the time to nominate yourself or another deserving economic development professional for
one of FEDC's annual awards. The winners will be honored at the conference.
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: PUTNAM COUNTY |
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As recently featured in
Florida Trend
, Putnam County's clean energy projects in the region are creating jobs and energizing the local economy
. Below are some highlights of the key projects driving results in this region:
- FPL will be constructing the FPL Coral Farms Solar Energy Center and the FPL Horizon Solar Energy Center, in Putnam and Alachua counties, creating construction and permanent jobs in the community.
- Seminole Electric Cooperative is constructing a gas-fired generating plant that will employ an average of 200 workers per month onsite over the 33-month project.
- Georgia-Pacific's mill expansion project in Palatka will employ an average of 160 construction workers a day and 80 permanent jobs upon completion.
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Contact FPL's Office of Economic Development
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