High-Tech Heats up Florida
Learn more about the projects, programs, and incentives that make technology thrive, in exclusive conversations with Stuart Doyle, Director of Communications, Enterprise Florida
Southern Tech Sites 2008
A. Unique information technology (IT) clusters have formed in the state as a result of a strong, ongoing cooperation between research institutions, businesses, and industry organizations. Innovative modeling and simulation or digital media companies can easily find a regional or statewide industry organization that supports their interests. One such example is the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, which is a partnership among the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, University of Florida, principals of top high-tech companies, and economic development organizations that help promote the growth of the high-tech industry in the 23-county region served by the three universities. The iCoast organization, on the other hand, supports the South Florida information technology cluster. This collection of Internet companies and organizations work together to foster Internet and technology growth. The iCoast has become a supporting backbone for the IT industry in South Florida.
Florida is committed to building a world-class biotechnology sector by investing in research facilities, fostering the growth of local biotech companies, and welcoming progressive newcomers to the state such as Scripps Research Institute, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies, Max Planck Institute, and the Oregon Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute.
Q. Does a specific project stand out in your mind because of its economic impact?
A. Recently, Channel Intelligence, producer of online consumer-decision databases for companies that do business over the Web, announced that they will spend $33 million to expand the 29,000-square-foot Celebration headquarters by 125,000 square feet. In addition, they will create 420 local jobs with an average wage of $55,400, which is 200 percent higher than the county's current average wage.
Q. What incentives are targeted specifically towards encouraging technology development?
A. All our incentive programs strive to encourage technology development. In particular, research and development equipment is sales tax exempt. The equipment purchaser simply submits a short affidavit to the equipment vendor so there is no wait for refunds. The Capital Investment Tax Credit also encourages investment in new technology by providing a corporate income tax credit for high-impact industries investing at least $25 million and creating 100 jobs. In addition, this past legislative session the Qualified Defense Contractor program was expanded to include space technology projects.
Project Announcements
PEAK Precision Manufacturing Plans Bowling Green, Kentucky, Operations
07/26/2024
Italy-Based Sipcam Agro USA Upgrades Wayne County, Mississippi, Operations
07/26/2024
Cleveland-Cliffs Plans Weirton, West Virginia, Operations
07/26/2024
IDEXX Laboratories Plans Wilson, North Carolina, Production Operations
07/26/2024
Germany-Based Ritz Instrument Transformers Plans Waynesboro, Georgia, Operations
07/26/2024
AirJoule Plans Newark-Wilmington, Delaware, Operations
07/26/2024
Most Read
-
19th Annual Area Development Gold and Silver Shovel Awards
Q2 2024
-
2023's Leading Metro Locations: Hotspots of Economic Growth
Q4 2023
-
2023 Top States for Doing Business Meet the Needs of Site Selectors
Q3 2023
-
The CHIPS and Science Act will bring jobs back to the United States
Q2 2024
-
2023 Top States Commentary: Top-Ranked States Have What It Takes to Win Mega Projects
Q3 2023
-
The Bring Your Own Energy (BYOE) Party Is Starting
Q2 2024
-
Midwest becomes hotspot for semiconductor manufacturing and supply industries
Q2 2024