News Release: Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs SB 2156 To Consolidate Economic Development Functions Into Department of Economic Opportunity; Enterprise Florida’s Gray Swoope Now Florida’s Secretary of Commerce–Governor Can Unilaterally Approve Incenti
Jun 14, 2011
The Office of Florida Governor Rick Scott issued the following news release today, June 14, 2011:
Governor Rick Scott Signs Bill to Speed Up Job Creation
Commerce Secretary to lead rapid response to business opportunities
Orlando, Fla. – In keeping his promise to streamline government, eliminate wasteful inefficiencies and grow Florida’s economy, Governor Rick Scott today signed into law Senate Bill 2156 that allows a more unified approach and rapid response to job creation by consolidating the state’s economic development functions into the Department of Economic Opportunity. The bill also designates the president of Enterprise Florida, Gray Swoope, as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce.
Governor Scott signed the bill while meeting with Enterprise Florida business leaders in Orlando today. During the group’s January meeting, Governor Scott called on the Legislature to strengthen the state’s economic development public-private partnerships by bringing together the state’s economic development efforts and creating a single point of contact for businesses interested in relocating to Florida.
“In today’s globally competitive marketplace, Florida must be able to respond quickly and decisively when business opportunities come our way. The bill I signed today provides us flexibility to seize opportunities created by developing markets and effectively respond to the changing needs of the businesses that grow our economy.”
The bill enhances the state’s ability to quickly react to business development opportunities in two ways. It cuts to 10 days the required time to approve or deny requests for state incentive funds; currently, this process can take up to 42 days. In addition, the Governor is authorized to approve incentive awards under $2 million without legislative approval or consultation, and for awards from $2 million to $5 million, the Governor must simply notify the chairs and vice chairs of the Legislative Budget Commission (LBC). Awards that exceed $5 million require LBC approval.
“Since I took office in January, Florida’s unemployment rate has declined each month while the national unemployment continues to rise as a result of failed leadership on the federal level,” Governor Scott said. “Here in Florida, we are seeing signs of improvement because we are moving in the right direction to make Florida the No. 1 place to do business.”