Governor Rick Scott yesterday announced that Area Development magazine awarded Florida, through its principal economic development organization Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), the Silver Shovel award for significant job creation and economic impact. Florida has received the honor for three consecutive years.
Governor Scott said, “We are honored to receive this award which recognizes Florida as a great place for business. With a top-ranked workforce, low tax climate, reduced regulations, and a multi-modal infrastructure that supports record numbers of residents and visitors, businesses across all industries are growing and creating more opportunities for Florida families. More than 865,000 private-sector jobs have been added since December 2010 and we’re continuing to work every day to make Florida the global destination for jobs.â€
Area Development’s annual Shovel Awards recognize state economic development organizations that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities.
“Three consecutive years of winning this important award means Florida is clearly demonstrating its status as one of best states in the nation for business,†said Secretary of Commerce Bill Johnson, who serves as president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “We will continue working to tell the state’s business story everywhere we go and remain aggressive in bringing new jobs to Florida. We thank Area Development for this award and are especially thankful to the companies whose projects helped us win this important recognition.â€
Each of the 50 states was invited by Area Development to submit information about its top-10 job creation and investment projects. Only those projects that began to materialize in 2014 were considered. The Shovel Awards are given to the states with the highest weighted scores based on number of high-valued added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities, and industry diversity.
The qualifying states were then rated based on the following weighted factors: direct jobs creation, new jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of projects creating high value added jobs, industry diversity and number of new facilities.
Projects recognized as part of Florida’s Silver Shovel award include:
Northrop Grumman – Melbourne
· Up to 1,800 new jobs
· $500 million capital investment
GE Oil & Gas – Jacksonville
· Advanced manufacturing facility
· Up to 500 new jobs, $50 million capital investment
Trader Joe’s – Daytona Beach
· Distribution facility
· 450 new jobs, $78 million capital investment
FedEx Ground – Ocala
· New distribution hub
· 350 new jobs, $170 million capital investment
Lockheed Martin – Orlando
· Mission systems & training expansion
· 200 new jobs, $80 million capital investment
United States Tennis Association – Orlando
· New USTA national campus
· 154 new jobs, $60 million capital investment
Telemundo Communications Group – Miami
· Corporate Headquarters Expansion
· 150 new jobs, $260 million capital investment
Edge Aerodynamix – Panama City
· New operations facility
· 120 new jobs, $77 million capital investment
International Paper Pensacola Mill – Pensacola
· Corporate Headquarters Expansion
· 424 retained, 12 new jobs, $123 million capital investment
A report on the 2015 Shovel Award winners is published in the Q2/2015 issue of Area Development and posted online at www.areadevelopment.com/shovels.
The Silver Shovel award from Area Development is the latest in a series of recognition for Florida. Recent awards include:
· #1 State for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness (PricewaterhouseCoopers)
· #1 Tax Climate in the Southeast for Business (Tax Foundation)
· #2 State in the nation for business (Chief Executive Magazine)
· #3 In the U.S. for High-Tech Businesses (TechAmerica Cyberstates)
· #6 Best business climate (Business Facilities)
