Few states can match the scale and scope of Florida's industry assets. Supported by the growth of a strong economy, thriving infrastructure, and a world-class workforce, there are nine key commercial industries in Florida. From growing aviation fintech and MRO groups to semiconductor and medical device manufacturing, Florida-based facilities are among the most innovative in the world. And they chose Florida to call home, where today's leaders commit to keeping business taxes and regulatory requirements low to continue paving the way for their success.
Florida is home to many geological and marine research centers, as well as nature conservation centers. Florida is home to world-renowned biomedical, pharmaceutical and medical device research companies. Florida ranks second after California in the production of products for greenhouses and nurseries and ranks first in the production of indoor plants. After the decisive events of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Florida began investing in economic development through the Bureau of Commerce, Tourism and Economic Development.
Three years later, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) announced that it had chosen Florida for its new expansion. The United States has become a service economy and many states, including Florida, generate most of their revenues through service industries. Florida's major ports include Port Tampa Bay in Tampa, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Port of Jacksonville in Jacksonville, PortMiami in Miami, Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Port Manatee in Manatee County and Port of Palm Beach in Riviera Beach. Since the development of NASA's Merritt Island federal launch sites in Cape Canaveral (most notably the Kennedy Space Center) in 1962, Florida has developed a sizeable aerospace industry.
Governor Jeb Bush realized that decisive events such as Andrew seriously affected Florida's core tourism industry. Florida attracts companies from several key industries and sizes with its strong economy, infrastructure and a competitive fiscal climate. Behind all fruits, vegetables and field crops, cattle and milk are Florida's top livestock products. The state of Florida has 17.16 million acres (26,807 square miles) of forests, representing 50% of the state's total area.
In turn, these cash flows indicate Florida's competitive disadvantages in the automotive product category, demonstrating the strong impact of foreign-manufactured automotive goods on Florida's global balance sheet}. Florida's export products include motor vehicles, computers and components, telecommunications equipment, aircraft, engines and parts, minerals such as gold, oil and gas, agricultural products, forest products, and seafood.
