What is Enterprise Florida and what does it do?

Enterprise Florida, Inc. is a not-for-profit partnership between Florida's businesses and government leaders and is the principal economic development organization for the state of Florida.

What exactly is economic development?

In a nutshell, economic development focuses limited resources on securing business investment and employment that are either at risk or would not otherwise occur. It works to expand targeted business sectors as the primary means of sustaining a high quality of life while also maintaining a favorable tax environment. Where possible, it targets businesses that are able to pay their employees higher wages, while still maintaining competitive costs for doing business.

What is Enterprise Florida's mission?

EFI’s mission is to diversify Florida's economy and create better-paying jobs for its citizens by supporting, attracting and helping to create businesses in innovative, high-growth industries.

What are Enterprise Florida's Targeted Business Sectors?
EFI focuses on high-value sectors such as: life sciences, information technology, aviation/aerospace/ space, homeland security/defense and financial/professional services.

How long has the organization existed?
In 1996, Florida became the first state in the country to place principal responsibility for economic development, international trade, research and business image marketing in the hands of a business-government partnership. The move was the result of several years of effort by business and government leaders. Driving the effort was the belief that, with hands-on participation by Florida businesses, Florida could move from its traditional economic drivers of tourism and agriculture to a sophisticated mix of industries and international business.

How is Enterprise Florida governed?

Enterprise Florida is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Florida's Governor. The board itself consists of top business, economic development and government leaders from throughout Florida.

How is Enterprise Florida funded?
The organization is funded, in part, by the State of Florida as well as by cash and in-kind donations from private business.

How does the organization ensure financial accountability?

Enterprise Florida is independently audited each year. In addition, it is subject to government audits and operates under the same standards of "sunshine" as Florida's state agencies.

How does the organization measure its results?

The organization tracks several key performance measures, including but not limited to: the number of direct full-time jobs created or retained; the promotion and development of economic opportunity for the state; the success of Florida companies involved in international trade; the number of successful economic development projects and the overall satisfaction rate of our customers.

How large is Enterprise Florida's staff?

The organization has a staff of about 80. In addition, Enterprise Florida accomplishes its mission through its network of economic development partners throughout the state and abroad.

Where are Enterprise Florida's offices?

Headquartered in Orlando, Enterprise Florida also has offices in Miami and Tallahassee. Additionally, EFI has several field offices and international offices that assist Florida companies seeking to become involved in global business.