Florida Takes Aim at New Statewide ED Strategy

A recent SW Florida economic development planning meeting to help devise a new ED strategy for Florida pointed to the following future priorities:

- Focus on the quality of education.

- Establish a consistent source of funding for economic diversification.

- Proactively encourage high-wage jobs by creating a better business climate and pushing more university research and entrepreneurship.

- Find innovative ways to pay for economic infrastructure, such as transportation and telecommunications.

- Come up with a system for more integrated growth planning.

Florida has experienced major economic growth over the past three decades, with more ahead from all indications. The good thing about the Florida planning process is its focus on building stronger and more competitive "regions" across Florida. I will always remember the profound words of Wilber Thompson, one of the great grandfathers of urban and regional economic development: "states are confederations of local economies. Regions are the real economies in any state." More states should heed Thompson's advice.

My advice to Florida officials is to focus on a regional investment strategy that builds the competitive advantages of the state's very diverse economic regions. That strategy should see the state's entire budget as a tool for development, including the state's annual investments in higher education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism and other things. An "Investing in Florida's Economic Future" makes most sense to me.

Read more about Florida's strategic planning process here.