Florida

State Steering Committee

State Quick Facts

Barney Bishop

Owner, Barney Bishop Consulting; immediate past President, Associated Industries of Florida; former Executive Director, Florida Democratic Party

Larry Barineau

Owner, Barineau Heating & Air

Thad Beshears

Co-Owner, Simpson Nurseries

Julio Fuentes

President, Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Cynthia Henderson

Former President, Florida Federation of Republican Women, Owner, Cynergy Consulting

Carole Jean Jordan

Owner, Jordan Sprinkler System; Tax Collector, Indian River County

Ashley May

Co-Owner, May Nurseries

Ed Moore

President, Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida

Sandra Mortham

Chairman, Maggie’s List, Former Florida Secretary of State; Former House GOP Minority Leader

Holly Merrill Raschein

State Representative, Florida House of Representatives

Nickname:

Sunshine State

Capital:

Tallahassee

2015 Population:

20,271,272

Gross State Product:

$926 Billion

Total Nonfarm Employment:

8,552,500

Governor:

Rick Scott (R)

Senators:

Bill Nelson (D),
Marco Rubio (R)

Representatives: 27

Support For Local Business

Senator Bill Nelson (D) “Small businesses are the cornerstone of our local economies.”

(Senator Bill Nelson, “Senators offer tax bill aimed at helping small businesses,” http://origin-nyi.thehill.com. 3/28/17.)

Representative Carlos Curbelo (R) “American small businesses are at the heart of the American economy and free-market system. With their dedication to innovation and success, small business owners have led to the development of emergent technologies, sparked competition, and provided livelihoods for millions of Americans. They also employ low and middle income Americans trying to get ahead.”

(Representative Carlos Curbelo, “issues, Small Business,” https://carloscurbelo.com/issues/small-business)

Business Highlights

Florida’s 2.4 million small businesses represent 989.8% of all employers in the state and employ 3.2 million workers.

Women-owned businesses make up 807,700 of Florida businesses.

Veteran-owed businesses make up 185,600 of Florida businesses.

A total of 61,307 companies that operate internationally, competing in global markets on a daily basis for inputs, capital, and customers, exported from Florida.

Florida exports reached $52 billion in 2014, with products and services going to 226 countries.

Fifteen Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the Sunshine State.

Sources: U.S. Census Quickfacts, Bureau Of Economic Analysis, Small Business Administration, BRT Globally Engaged Companies, Business Roundtable, U.S. Department Of Commerce Foreign Trade Statistics, International Trade Administration, Fortune 500, FRED Economic Research