Economic Development Priorities: Immediate Needs

1. Research & Development Tax Credit: Endorse the creation of a Florida R&D Tax Credit to improve the state's business climate for growth-generating R&D activity.
   
   
2. Enterprise Florida Funding, Incentives: Support Enterprise Florida (EFI) funding and key incentive programs that focus on attracting and retaining businesses, such as: the Quick Response Training Program (QRT); Florida's Economic Development Transportation Fund (Road Fund); Florida's Economic Development TOOL KIT, including funding the Innovation Incentive and the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program (QTI); the Florida Research Commercialization Matching Grant Program; incentives and programs targeted to developers or manufacturers of alternative energy/green building technology and equipment; and Florida's Quick Action Closing Fund (QAC). Additionally, support the economic development legislative efforts of Enterprise Florida, the Florida Chamber, the Florida Economic Development Council, and BioFlorida.
   
   
3. Ad Valorem Tax Exemption/Tax Abatement: Support updating and expanding the current Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Law (F.S. 196.1995) to include growing high-wage industries in addition to manufacturing for qualified new or expanding businesses.
   
   
4. Florida Infrastructure Fund: Support legislation expanding the Florida Opportunity Fund (FOF) through the creation of FOF Infrastructure Fund Partnership, a $350 million Florida-focused infrastructure investment program.
   
   
5. Entertainment, Film, & Digital Media Tax Credit: Encourage continued legislative support and funding of the multi-year Florida Film & Entertainment Industry Financial Incentive Program.
   
   
6. Space Business Incentives Act: Support legislation that will attract space-related business, promote job creation, and retain shuttle workers who may be laid off. This includes a fully transferable net operating loss tax credit and a non-transferable corporate income tax credit.
   
   
7. Aerospace Jobs Retention Tax Credit: Support the creation of a tax incentive for job creation in the aerospace sector.
   
   
8. Transportation Trust Fund: Support the protection of the Transportation Trust Fund from being used for non-transportation related expenses.
   
   
9. Improved Flexibility for Local Option Transportation Funding Sources: Support improved flexibility for existing local option transportation funding sources.
   
   
10. Local Option Rental Car Surcharge: Support a local option rental car surcharge to fund future transit-related projects, including commuter rail.
    
    
11. Statewide Rail System: Support legislation necessary to develop a comprehensive, statewide rail system.
    
    
12. Qualified Targeted Industry Program Statute Change: Support changing of the Qualified Targeted Industry Program (QTI) statue to allow cities to submit verification of wage levels for QTI projects.
    
    
13. Life Science Funding: Support legislation that will foster a favorable environment for bio tech and other life science companies, including: full funding in the 2010-11 budget, and as needed going forward in future budgets, for the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Florida International University (FIU) Colleges of Medicine; full funding for the Courtelis Facilities Matching Grants Program; UCF's request for funding for life science academic programs and research; support for the University of Florida's new facility in Medical City; and support for funding for the Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research and King Biomedical Research Programs.
    
    
14. Research & Development Funding and Retention: Support a strategy that advances the investment in universities as the foundation for Florida's economic recovery. This includes investments in technology transfer, incubation, life sciences research and development, graduate support and targeted degree production, as outlined in the State University System of Florida's Board of Governors "Building Florida's Knowledge Economy" plan.
    
    
15. Economic Gardening: Building on recent efforts, support legislation funding and enhancing state-wide economic gardening efforts, including technical assistance and business loans.
    
    
16. Workforce Initiatives, Incentives: Support legislation that will provide funding for the enrollment growth of the Florida College System in order to ensure student access and meet workforce needs; the Florida Legislature should seek models of capital and operating dollar allocations that reduce inequities in system funding. Also, support the 2+2 Direct Connect program between the University of Central Florida and Brevard Community College, Lake-Sumter Community College, Seminole State College, and Valencia Community College, including funding for joint use facilities. Support matching programs for the Florida College System, including the Florida College System's Facilities Enhancement Challenge Grant Program and the Philip Benjamin Matching Program.