Hello!
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) has been busy at work to address the needs of communities and businesses while growing partnerships across our state.
DEO is currently leading the state’s efforts in creating the federally required State Action Plan that will provide a high-level strategy for how the $735 million in funding will be used to address the long-term disaster recovery needs for Hurricane Michael-impacted communities. The State Action Plan is currently being developed with input from all Floridians impacted by Hurricane Michael as well as state and community partners.
Rebuild Florida is the program created by DEO to manage the federal funds provided by U.S. Housing and Urban Development. This team has held a
webinar
and nine public workshops across the Panhandle to generate feedback regarding the unmet needs and recovery priorities of these communities. As our team strategizes on how to help Panhandle communities rebuild, we are also helping other communities across the state.
This month, nearly $9 million was awarded by Governor DeSantis through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to promote public infrastructure and workforce training across the state. This is great news for local communities and Floridians looking to find work. These smart strategic investments will help Florida communities attract new jobs and industries to these areas.
Speaking of bringing new jobs to our state, as this Legislative Session comes to a close it is DEO’s goal to see that Florida has every tool in the toolbox to maintain our highly regarded business friendly environment. One of these tools includes, the Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund (QTI) program.
House Bill 779 and Senate Bill 922 will ensure that businesses can have the confidence to expand and help our state create a diversified and resilient economy. Since 2014, the QTI Tax Refund has helped 300 businesses create nearly 22,000 jobs . By attracting targeted industries, this tax refund program helps diversify economies and make Florida less reliant on industries that are highly susceptible to decline during natural disaster or market down turns.
Rural community development is also a top priority at DEO.
House Bill 1139 and Senate Bill 426 will allow DEO to provide more Regional Rural Development Grant funding by reducing the local match requirement to local governments and economic development organizations throughout the state.
We believe in building the professional capacity of local governments and regional economic development organizations so they can provide their communities with the expertise needed to continue growing existing businesses and recruit prospective new businesses.
Also, House Bill 969 and Senate Bill 1166 helps support the expansion of broadband infrastructure projects in communities across the state. This bill would transfer broadband authority from Department of Management Services (DMS) to DEO’s Division of Community Development (DCD) and establish an Office of Broadband.
This would allow DEO to assist rural and underserved communities access federal grant dollars.
Please join me in supporting a strong, diverse and resilient economy by reaching out to your representatives and letting them know you support these bills. As our state continues to grow and prosper, DEO’s work remains more important than ever to help your communities continue to grow and flourish.
As we move into next month, I look forward to working with you and your communities. I want to encourage you to continue engaging with me and DEO. We want to know what your communities need, and we want to seek creative ways to work together and make smart, strategic investments in Florida.
Ken
