Discussions with DEO - January 2020

‌

January 2020

Hi!

I’m excited because 2020 is off to a great start!

Right now, Florida’s economy is strong. We just announced that our unemployment rate dropped to a record low 3.0% and our private sector job growth continues to outpace the nation. And already this year, DEO has provided more than $10 million dollars to Florida communities. And just this week, the Governor announced 21 communities impacted by Hurricane Irma would receive more than $84 million through the Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program.

While we are proud of this success, we know what can potentially follow. It is so important that we maintain the effort to ensure our economy remains resilient to not only natural disasters but any potential economic downturns.

At the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), we aim to make our state globally competitive in attracting businesses. Florida’s low taxes, smart regulation and top-rated education system are a few of the tools in our toolbox that helps Florida bring businesses here. At DEO we want to use every resource available to make Florida more attractive to businesses looking to expand.

This Legislative Session, DEO has prioritized an important economic development tool utilized by businesses that come to Florida or businesses that expand locally. The Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund program allows our state to continue attracting businesses in targeted industries such as aviation and aerospace, financial and professional services and information technology, just to name a few. By bringing companies to our state in these industries, we diversify our economy making us less reliant on tourism, agriculture and real estate which are susceptible to natural disasters and economic downturns.

Since 2014, more than 300 businesses have participated in the Qualified Targeted Industry Tax Refund program, creating nearly 22,000 jobs across the state. These are high quality, high wage jobs that Florida could have lost to other states providing financial enticements. Refunds are only provided to businesses after jobs are created, taxes are paid and performance is verified by my team at DEO.

At DEO, we feel we owe it to Florida families to do everything we can to make sure we continue to diversify and make Florida’s economy resilient to whatever may come our way. I hope you will join me in supporting this legislation so that we can continue to focus on creating a diverse, resilient economy for tomorrow. I encourage you to speak to your state Representatives and Senators about the importance of this effort and support House Bill 779 and Senate Bill 922.

Your community’s success and smart strategic growth is so important to the economic success of the entire state of Florida. Please continue to engage with me and my agency and let us know how we can continue helping your community reach its goals. I am looking forward to working with Governor DeSantis, you, and all of our stakeholders, to help Florida’s economy remain strong, grow in a sustainable way and help our citizens, communities and businesses prosper.

Ken

Florida This Month

Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida’s unemployment rate dropped to a record low 3.0 percent. Florida's labor force continued to increase with 220,000 Floridians entering the workforce over the year.

Learn More

Disaster Recovery Program Updates

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Sets the Record Straight on Disaster Recovery Funding in Florida

Meet our Disaster Recovery team below and click here to learn more about our progress in helping Florida rebuild after our most recent natural disasters.

This month, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Office of Disaster Recovery has achieved several milestones in assisting communities and businesses with disaster recovery.

Rebuild Florida

Hurricane Michael Update

On January 27, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published the Federal Register, which provides the state of Florida a guide on how to access more than $735 million for long-term recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael impacted communities. DEO will lead the state’s efforts in drafting the State Action Plan that will provide a high-level strategy for how the funding will be used to address eligible communities’ unmet, long-term recovery needs. DEO will finalize and submit the State Action Plan to HUD no later than June 1, 2020.

Hurricane Irma Update

The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program recently announced awards to eligible counties, municipalities and local water authorities to improve infrastructure in Hurricane Irma-impacted communities. Click here to learn more.

Last month, DEO announced $44 million has been awarded to local governments through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program. This funding is used to purchase homes damaged by Hurricane Irma from willing homeowners in high-risk flood areas dedicates those properties to green space or other disaster resilient uses. DEO is continuing to work with awardees to finalize subrecipient grant agreements.

We are preparing to announce awards for the Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program with $20 million available for local workforce development boards, educational institutions and technical centers in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma to train Floridians in the construction trades necessary to support disaster recovery efforts

Learn More

Mitigation

DEO closed the public comment period for the State Action Plan to access more than $633 million in first-of-its-kind federal funding for disaster mitigation projects. DEO is currently finalizing the State Action Plan before submitting to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval. HUD will then have 60 days to review the State Action Plan after it is submitted on February 3, 2020.

Earlier this month, DEO staff traveled to Orlando and presented to the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council on an overview of our Mitigation program.

DEO hosted an interagency meeting overview of the mitigation program and facilitated discussions on how our agency partners can work with us to accomplish our goals.

Text Link

Agency and Partner News:

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More Than $5.4 Million in Awards to 15 Rural Communities in Northwest Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis announced more than $5.4 million in funding for infrastructure projects in 15 rural communities in Northwest Florida that were affected by Hurricane Michael.

Learn more

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces More Than $5.2 Million in Awards to Small and Rural Florida Communities to Improve Infrastructure

The Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and DEO. The Rural Infrastructure Fund, administered by DEO, provides funding to local governments for infrastructure projects in rural communities to encourage job creation and business investment, and to strengthen and diversify rural economies.

Learn more

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson Commends Governor DeSantis for his Commitment to Florida’s Communities

Governor DeSantis once again echoed his commitment to building strong, resilient communities across our state. His bold vision includes preparing our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow and strengthening and diversifying our economy to ensure we are ready for the future. Listen here to Director Lawson's response to Governor DeSantis' State of the State.

Learn More

Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Florida’s Unemployment Rate Has Dropped to a Record Low

The year is beginning with more private-sector jobs coming to Florida as well. Just this month, Governor DeSantis announced Made In Space was relocating its corporate headquarters from California to Florida and Spirit Airlines was expanding into a new headquarters in Dania Beach.

Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:

Education and health services with 54,100 new jobs;
Leisure and hospitality with 47,900 new jobs;
Professional and business services with 35,500 new jobs;
Construction with 25,500 new jobs;
Trade, transportation and utilities with 17,800 new jobs; and

Learn More