Rick Scott Pushes For Lower Unemployment
You might get the feeling that creating jobs is Job 1 for Gov. Rick Scott. If it wasn't the 26 times he used the word "job" or "jobs" in Tuesday's State of the State address, perhaps it's the signature tag line he has stuck with since his campaign: "Let's get to work."
Mr. Scott has a number of strong allies in his quest to lower Florida's unemployment rate. Of course there is Associated Industries of Florida, which backs the governor's call for lower taxes and fewer regulations. The Florida Chamber of Commerce talks about its six pillars of Florida's future economy: talent supply and education, innovation and economic development, infrastructure, business climate, governance systems, and quality of life.
The Republican-dominated Legislature is mostly behind him. Universities and community colleges are getting in line, recognizing the need to prepare a modern workforce. Even the K-12 public schools are being called to battle by putting a greater emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math.
The governor has at least one more potent weapon: Gray Swoope.
Mr. Swoope has an impressive business card, as Florida's secretary of commerce as well as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership created to lead Florida's economic development. Legislation signed last year by Gov. Scott brought Enterprise Florida more under his control. In fact, Mr. Swoope has an office just two doors down from the governor's.
Mr. Swoope also has a track record of success. He was in charge of economic development in Mississippi, and a state often mocked with the saying "Thank God for Mississippi" — meaning it always could be counted on to finish last in any significant rankings — suddenly was attracting job producers such as Toyota and GE Aviation.
In his current job, Mr. Swoope is using his competitive nature, a network of partnerships and a philosophy that equates the state to a business.
To create economic opportunity, he says, you need three things: "product development" (through workforce education and catalyst sites), "sales" (developing the business, which equates to the core mission of Enterprise Florida) and "service after the sale" (taking care of the industries we have and making sure the state delivers what is promised in training and infrastructure).
This is still a new game for Florida unemployment.
During the boom years, Florida had all it needed: sunshine, beaches, and a roaring real estate market. Why compete for a manufacturer when you have low unemployment and people just itching to spend their money here?
But while Florida celebrated its good fortune, other states in the Southeast — from North Carolina all the way to Texas — were developing aggressive economic development unemployment programs.
Well, Mr. Swoope is here to let the other states know "the giant is awake."
"What do we need to do?" he asked. "We need to get back in the game."
Florida gave notice it was back when it nabbed Time Warner and a promised 500 well-paying jobs for Hillsborough County last year. Atlanta had taken for granted that it would win that contest. "It was a shot across the bow," Mr. Swoope bragged.
Florida has so much to offer. We still have our sunshine and beaches, a selling point in any economic climate. We also have what Mr. Swoope called an "international mindset," helping us attract much interest from abroad. And of course we have Gov. Scott's focus on creating jobs.
"We're positioned so well," Mr. Swoope says.
It is indeed a new game, one that Florida is prepared to win.
#florida #unemployment
By: Mark Quinones