Economic Development

 

During the 2017 Special Session, the legislature and Governor created a new $85 million grant program within the Department of Economic Opportunity called the “Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.” The Florida Job Growth Grant Fund is authorized to award grant funds to projects that “promote economic opportunity by improving public infrastructure and enhancing workforce training.” The Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida are responsible for soliciting proposals and making funding recommendations to the Governor.

The following types of projects are eligible for approval:

• State or local public infrastructure projects that promote economic recovery in specific regions of the state, economic diversification, or economic enhancement in a targeted industry; and
• Workforce training grants to support programs at state colleges and state technical centers that provide participants with transferable, sustainable workforce skills applicable to more than a single employer, and grants for equipment associated with these programs.
 

AIF SUPPORTS funding for public infrastructure projects that promote economic development and job creation through grants.

AIF strongly encourages the legislature to consider their effect on the state’s pari-mutuel industry. These long-standing members of the Florida business community provide tens of thousands of jobs around the state. Pari-mutuels should be given the ability to compete in order to provide the best entertainment value possible, including Class III gaming, as long as the local county or municipality approves such action.

AIF SUPPORTS the legislature keeping the pari-mutuel industry and its impact on Florida’s economy in focus when considering integrated resorts or other expanded gambling activities.

To promote greater transparency in government, protect
due process rights and to acknowledge the “digital
divide,” AIF SUPPORTS requirements that public notices
be printed in local newspapers as defined by Chapter 50,
Florida Statutes, as well as displayed on the Internet.

AIF recognizes that immigration reform is an important issue for our state, but contends it should be dealt with at the federal level. AIF OPPOSES efforts to mandate the use of the E-Verify system by employers.

Mandating E-Verify would have a negative effect on employers, especially those small business owners who do not have full-fledged human resource departments. In addition, fears of racial profiling could make it harder for businesses to recruit employees and could harm Florida’s tourism industry.