FloridaCommerce Highlights Major 2023 Accomplishments, Leads State’s Economic Mission Under Governor Ron DeSantis’ Strong Leadership

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, FloridaCommerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly highlights major milestones accomplished in 2023 under Governor Ron DeSantis Strong leadership.

“2023 brought many milestones for FloridaCommerce and for Florida’s economy. Florida is #1 in the nation for entrepreneurship, talent development and new business formations proving that despite record inflation, national economic headwinds and destructive weather events— with the right leadership growth is inevitable,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly . “This year, FloridaCommerce stepped into the driver’s seat to streamline economic development without disrupting Florida’s economic momentum. FloridaCommerce remains laser focused on four pillars of investment including workforce readiness, site readiness, financial readiness and housing readiness. All four pillars are critical to our economic development efforts – one cannot exist successfully without the other. I am thankful for all that was achieved in 2023 and I know that under the Governor’s vision, we will continue to grow Florida’s economy, businesses and communities, next year and for generations to come.”

In May 2023, House Bill 5 was signed by the Governor starting the transition from The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to FloridaCommerce. This year’s transition aimed to gain efficiencies and reduce the size of government for both the benefit of job seekers and job creators. Five new offices were created – SelectFlorida, The Office of Military and Defense, The Office of Partnership Engagement, The Office of Small Business Innovation and The Office of Rural communities. Together, they continue to promote and develop Florida as a location for business growth, recruitment and retention—with an eye towards securing Floridians economic future for years to come.

FloridaCommerce has championed the Governor’s economic development vision through continuous communication with its statewide and local economic development partners, active outreach to Florida’s business community, and collaboration with other state agencies, such as the REACH Office, CareerSource Florida, the Florida Department of Education, the Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Space Florida, and VISIT FLORIDA, Florida Development Finance Corporation, Florida Opportunity Fund, Florida Sports Foundation and the State University System Board of Governors.

In December, FloridaCommerce Announced that Florida’s Labor Force Continues to Thrive, Outpacing the Nation in over-the-year growth for 30 Consecutive Months . Florida continues to outpace the nation in over-the-year private sector job growth rate for 32 consecutive months as of November 2023 data. Florida was also ranked #1 for entrepreneurship by researchers at The Digital Project Manager with more than 2.8 million business formations under Governor DeSantis’ leadership. Floridians continue to show their confidence in the opportunities available to them with continued growth in the labor force by 17,000 and private sector employment by 28,300 over-the-month in November 2023.

Florida’s labor force has grown or remained steady for 37 consecutive months with an over-the-year growth rate of 3.2 percent in November 2023—faster than the national rate of 2.3 percent over the same time period. Moreover, according to The Digital Project Manager, “With 13,238 small businesses per 100,000 of the population, this is the most in any state. Floridians have an entrepreneurial mindset that doesn’t only benefit themselves but their communities with the jobs that they create.”