Florida 100 Council unveils strategy to add 200,000 jobs

Florida Council of 100 announced an economic development strategy that aims to leverage the private sector and propel Florida into a new era of success by creating an estimated 200,000 good-paying jobs by 2030, according to a statement obtained by Funds Society.

The initiative’s strategy includes several industries, such as: Aerospace, Financial Services, E-Commerce, Clean Tech, Biotechnology and Manufacturingto promote regional economic specialization and expansion.

Beyond Sunshine Initiative

The Beyond Sunshine strategy outlines a way to sustain and accelerate Florida’s economic growth by concentrating resources to support higher-wage economic clusters in the state’s six major regional economies and three rural areas of opportunity.

Research conducted by the Florida Council of 100 indicates that investments in these clusters and regions could provide up to 200,000 new, well-paying jobs in Florida by 2030, which would translate into an increase in GDP of almost $100 billion in the country’s fourth-largest economy.

The Beyond Sunshine strategy sets out three priorities that aim to build on this solid foundation and ensure continued economic growth:

• Supporting existing higher-wage economic clusters: Focusing investments on regional clusters of opportunities in sectors with potential for additional growth, such as aerospace, financial services, e-commerce, clean technology, biotechnology and manufacturing, to stimulate regional economic specialization and expansion.
• Creating Higher Wage Jobs: Collaborating with universities, colleges, career and technical education (CTE) programs, and industry partners to align education and workforce development with higher wage opportunities and stimulate economic activity across all sectors.
• Promoting Florida’s Economic Success: Changing the perception of Florida both nationally and internationally to show that it is the best place to start a career, accumulate wealth, and raise a family.

The Florida Council of 100, a group of more than 150 business leaders dedicated to supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life in Florida, will coordinate implementation of the Beyond Sunshine strategy. They will work with regional economic development organizations, education partners and the state to direct investment to higher-wage sectors, match talent with opportunities and address challenges related to sustainable expansion.