SOURCEBOOK ECONOMIC - Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
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ECONOMIC
SOURCEBOOK
& MARKET PROFILE 2021
LIFE. LESS TAXING.
Greater Fort Lauderdale has the Perfect Climate for Business Success
TARGETED INDUSTRIES
MARINE INDUSTRIES AVIATION GLOBAL LOGISTICS GOVERNMENT
CORPORATE
LIFE SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY HEALTHCARE
HEADQUARTERS
GFLALLIANCE.ORG | $24.95
BUILD YOUR BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY
WITH EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN.
$74,371
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
129,263
TOTAL POPULATION
37.6
MEDIAN AGE
5 ACCESSIBLE AIRPORTS
3 ACCESSIBLE HIGHWAYS
1 ACCESSIBLE SEAPORT
71,670
STRONG LABOR FORCE
38.6%
BACHELOR'S/GRAD/
PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
AAA BOND RATING
BY STANDARD & POOR'S
C I T Y O F CO R A L S P R I N G S • E CO N O M I C D E V E LO P M E N T O F F I C E
9 5 0 0 W E S T S A M P L E R O A D • CO R A L S P R I N G S , F L 3 3 0 6 5 • 9 5 4 - 3 4 6 - 6 9 9 6
Co r a l S p r i n g s E D O. c o m • / Co r a l S p r i n g s E D O EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN
Broward County
HAS EVERYTHING A BUSINESS AND ITS EMPLOYEES NEED TO THRIVE
Broward County offers an exceptional lifestyle.
We boast 23 miles of beaches, 300 miles of inland
waterways, thousands of restaurants, a thriving
arts and culture scene, top shopping, sports of
all sorts, abundant lodging accommodations, and
unique natural wonders from our vibrant coral
reefs to the Everglades.
Whether you're looking for a diverse and well
educated workforce, business friendly government
or easy access to major international markets and
excellent infrastructure, Broward County should
be at the top of your list for your next relocation
or expansion project.
For corporate relocation: For small business support:
Solid Waste and Recycling Services
gflalliance.org Broward.org/EconDev
954-627-0123 954-357-6400
A Service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners
ECONOMIC SOURCEBOOK & MARKET PROFILE
2021 ON THE COVER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
6 54
Why Greater Fort Lauderdale Aviation
One of the nation’s most attractive A soaring industry with a
locations for business relocation large skilled local workforce
and expansion
58
Life Sciences Photo Courtesy of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance /
18
Business Climate A thriving industry cluster Credit: Sublime Imagery Studios
An attractive environment for including pharmaceutical
companies of all sizes manufacturing, R&D and
medical devices
30 78
Lifestyle Transportation
62
An attractive lifestyle with Technology & Infrastructure
outstanding quality of life One of the nation’s strongest A solid foundation and
for all ages tech hubs with a long legacy connectivity for business growth
of innovation
38 Talent Hub
Home of a diverse, skilled workforce
66 International
A strategic location for
82
Government
A look at Broward County
and its municipalities
42
Education multinational businesses
88
Excellence at every level from Business Assistance & Incentives
70
pre-K through college Real Estate Opportunities Tax benefits and numerous other
A dynamic commercial resources for business success
50 Healthcare
High quality medical, health
and wellness services
real estate marketplace
96 Index
Advertiser Index
(Top) Photo Courtesy of the City of Hollywood; (Above: Left to right) Photo Courtesy of Florida Atlantic University; Photo Courtesy of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB; Florida Blue
2 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021
ECONOMIC SOURCEBOOK & MARKET PROFILE
Bob Swindell 954-627-0131
A Message from
President/CEO
bswindell@gflalliance.org
Jack Bennings 954-627-0136
the President & Chair
Director - Workforce Services
jbennings@gflalliance.org
Liza Bongiovi 954-627-0132
Sr. Coordinator - Business Development
lbongiovi@gflalliance.org
Gail Bulfin 954-627-0127
Sr. Vice President - Membership Development Thank you for your interest in Greater Fort Lauderdale! We invite you to
gbulfin@gflalliance.org
explore this Economic Sourcebook and Market Profile, which highlights
Susan Climan 954-627-0126 our community’s assets as a strategic business location with an incredible
Manager - Education Programs quality of life. In addition to the business-friendly climate, competitive tax
scliman@gflalliance.org structure and zero state personal income tax that we enjoy here, we embrace
David Coddington 954-627-0123 “Life. Less taxing” as a way of life, and look forward to you joining us.
Sr. Vice President - Business Development Centrally located within Southeast Florida, one of the most dynamic
dcoddington@gflalliance.org business regions in the U.S., CEOs, site selectors and community leaders
Peggy Doty 954-627-0134 agree that Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County is a location of choice
CEO Council - Programs Coordinator for companies from around the world. With more than 190 languages
pdoty@gflalliance.org spoken, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s is a rich and welcoming tapestry of
culture and diversity – all are welcome, and we are #GreaterTogether.
Ron Drew 954-627-0130
Executive Vice President Broward County is consistently ranked as a top location for talent. We
rdrew@gflalliance.org lead the nation in entrepreneurial activity. With major industry clusters Bob Swindell
including aviation, technology, life sciences and headquarters, Greater
Lisa Evancho 954-627-0125
Accounting Coordinator Fort Lauderdale offers the perfect climate for a variety of companies –
levancho@gflalliance.org from startup to Fortune 500. More than 200 headquarters operations,
including many Latin America and regional headquarters, are proud to
Maggie Gunther 954-627-0135
call Broward County home.
Vice President - Marketing & Communications
mgunther@gflalliance.org As the primary economic development organization for Broward
County, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance focuses on helping
Todd Holt 954-627-0124 businesses create and retain high-wage jobs and working to attract capital
Vice President - Business Development
tholt@gflalliance.org investment in high-value targeted industries. In addition to bringing jobs
to the region, we also work collaboratively with our many partners to
Joseph Hovancak 954-616-3085 develop more vibrant communities and to improve the quality of life for
Executive Director - Six Pillars Broward
our area’s citizens as well as identify educational opportunities in high-
jhovancak@gflalliance.org
wage industries, to help individuals succeed.
Helen Kulp 954-627-0131 As we navigate changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, we
Executive Assistant & Office Administrator remain strategically focused on diversification and growth of Broward
hkulp@gflalliance.org Juliet M. Roulac
County’s economy through emphasis on high-value, high-wage targeted
Pierre Taschereau 954-627-0128 industries as our top priority, while we support the preservation of local
Director - Business Development businesses and welcome new companies to the area.
ptaschereau@gflalliance.org The Alliance offers many services including assistance with business
Luciano Todeschini 954-524-3114 relocations and expansions; site selection; incentive programs; business
Manager - Six Pillars Broward intelligence; customized workforce training programs; and serving as
ltodeschini@gflalliance.org a liaison for workforce development between educational institutions,
CareerSource Broward and the business community.
Tracy Vertus 954-524-3116 Over the past fourteen years, the Alliance, working with Broward County,
Program Officer - Prosperity Broward CareerSource Broward and our local municipalities, helped businesses create
tvertus@gflalliance.org
or retain more than 38,000 direct jobs; a partnership estimated to have
Tania Vinaixa 954-627-0133 generated more than 77,000 Broward County jobs through direct, indirect
Director - Membership Development and induced effects, resulting in $2.9 billion in annual personal income and
tvinaixa@gflalliance.org
$15.1 billion in annual economic impact, according to an independent study
by the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
The 2020-2021 Economic Sourcebook and Market Profile is the official
Please call on the Alliance team as you look to expand or relocate
publication of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, published annually
by the South Florida Business Journal. No part of this publication your company, or seek information regarding doing business in Greater
may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Fort Lauderdale.
the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. All contents copyright 2019. All
rights reserved. Single copies may be obtained from the Greater Fort
Lauderdale Alliance.
South Florida Business Journal is a publication of
American City Business Journals, Inc.
120 West Morehead Street | Suite 400 | Charlotte, NC 28202
Whitney Shaw, President & CEO Juliet M. Roulhac
Ray Shaw, Chairman Bob Swindell FY 2019-2020 Chair of the Board
(1989-2009) President/CEO Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance External Affairs Director | FPL
www.gflalliance.org 3
ECONOMIC SOURCEBOOK & MARKET PROFILE
FY 2019-2020 Alliance Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Juliet M. Roulhac Lori Chevy Nelson Fernandez
FPL, Chair of the Board Bank of America, Secretary ANF Group, Inc., Past Chair
Sam Robbin Gregory Haile Bob Swindell
National Jets, Inc., Vice Chair Broward College, Treasurer Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, President/CEO
Doug Bartel Kate Goldman Representative Chip LaMarca Newton Sanon
Florida Blue Baptist Health South Florida Florida House of Representatives OIC of South Florida
Colin Brown Mayor Dale Holness Melissa Milroy Barry Somerstein
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Broward County Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, a JLL Property Greenspoon Marder, Of Counsel
Jennifer Bales Drake Carol Hylton Stacy Ritter Erick Strati
Becker CareerSource Broward GFL Convention & Visitors Bureau Wells Fargo
Sandra Veszi Einhorn Marissa Kelley Tim Rubin Mayor Dean Trantalis
Coordinating Council of Broward Lewis Brisbois Kaufman Rossin City of Fort Lauderdale
DIRECTORS
Toula Amanna Ross Cooper Keith Koenig Laurie Rich Levinson
Flashback Diner WLRN City Furniture Broward County School Board
The Broward Workshop
Brett Atkinson Isabel Cosio Carballo Matt Rocco
Moss & Associates South Florida Regional Planning Council Dan Lindblade South Florida Manufacturers Association
Greater Fort Lauderdale
Frank Babinec Jonthan Daniels Robert Runcie
Chamber of Commerce
City of Coral Springs Port Everglades Broward County Public Schools
Mark Lubelski
Josie Bacallao Alex de Gunten Shawn Sackman
City of Sunrise
Hispanic Unity of Florida HEICO SunTrust
Sandy-Michael McDonald
Dahlia Baker Melanie Dickinson Laurie Sallarulo
Broward County Office of Economic
Collective Community Initiatives, LLC South Florida Business Journal Junior Achievement of South Florida
& Small Business Development
Broward County Small Business Heiko Dobrikow Dr. Penny Shaffer
Development Advisory Board Jean McIntyre
Riverside Hotel Florida Blue
Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of
Kelvin Baker
Dr. Jeremy Earle Commerce Kelley Shanley
City of Miramar City of Hallandale Beach Broward Center for the Performing Arts
Nancy Meyer
Brendan Barry
Bob Feldmann Sun Sentinel Kelly Skidmore
Shutts LLP RSM US LLP Marine Industry Association of South Florida
Debra (D.K.) Mink
Donna Bean
Alex Fernandez Sunnyvale Corporation/Mink & Mink, Inc. Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh
Terumo Aortic Broward Health Urban League of Broward County
Ken Morris
Basil Bernard
Ray Ferrero, Jr. Morris Southeast Group Michael Stamm
Apricot Office Interiors Nova Southeastern University City of Pembroke Pines
Matthew Muhart
Julie Berry
Lori Funderwhite Memorial Healthcare System Greg Stuart
Stiles City of Tamarac Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization
Peggy Nordeen
Karen Brooks
Mark Gale Starmark Karla Thatcher
City of Coconut Creek Broward County Aviation Department Hotwire Communications
Jason Nunemaker
Kelley Brown
City of Plantation Mary Lou Tighe
Regions Bank Lisa Gefen Sicilian
Broward League of Cities
Kaplan, Inc. Shawn Oden
Rosana Santos Calambichis
JPMorgan Chase & Co. Steven Topel
BIG CHEF Patrick Goddard Marsh & McLennan Agency
Laurel Oswald
Kathleen Cannon Brightline
Tower Commercial Real Estate Rich Vogel
United Way of Broward County Marcel Haywood VEC Energy, Port Everglades Association
Arlene Pecora
Scott Cerutti Encompass Onsite
The Signature Grand Ben Wesley
Deloitte & Touche LLP Bertha Henry FPL
Hector Ponte
Jeni Chokron Broward County
Wells Fargo Jonathan Wolfe
First Horizon Bank Dr. Wazir Ishmael AutoNation
Gary Press
Brian Clay City of Hollywood
South Florida Business and Wealth Keriann Worley
BankUnited Cheryl Kleiman Entercom South Florida
David Reid
Chris Clemens Flexential
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Andrew Zullo
City of Pompano Beach
Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc.
4 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021
Growing
Stronger
Together
Real strength comes when people join together, fueled by passion and guided
by vision. Founded by automotive legend Jim Moran, JM Family Enterprises has
always believed in giving back to the communities where our associates live and
work. With the support of our nonprofit partners and 4,300 associates, we remain
committed to helping those in need and growing stronger, together.
#JMFamilyImpact
WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
An Inviting Location
Greater Fort Lauderdale offers top talent,
warm temperatures and low taxes
A
A large pool of skilled professionals, an saw Greater Fort Lauderdale as a positive or
inviting quality of life and one of the most very positive potential location for a corporate
competitive tax climates headquarters.
in America make Greater Fort U.S. and international alliancespotlight
Lauderdale one of the world’s most companies appreciate Greater
200+
attractive business locations for Fort Lauderdale’s strategic
companies of all sizes. location and convenient access
Greater Fort Lauderdale
(metropolitan Broward County) is
to global markets, a multilingual
and multicultural professional
“Greater Fort
home to more than 200 corporate
Greater Fort
workforce, and numerous Lauderdale is a
and international regional education and workforce training
headquarters operations, including Lauderdale is programs. Aviation, technology, preferred choice in
home to more than
AutoNation, Citrix, Hotwire
Communications, JetBlue Travel 200 corporate and
life sciences, manufacturing and
other knowledge-based companies
today’s work from
Products, Kaplan Inc., Magic Leap, international regional
headquarters
benefit from the region’s large and anywhere economy.”
Microsoft, and Spirit Airlines. It growing pool of skilled, college-
is the geographic and business educated workers.
center of South Florida, whose
population of 6.1 million makes it
the largest metropolitan region in
With a high quality of life,
including a wide array of housing
choices, excellent schools, and
Juliet M. Roulhac
the Southeast United States. year-round golf, boating and other
External Affairs Director, FPL
A survey by consulting firm outdoor activities, Greater Fort
Boyette Strategic Advisors for the Lauderdale offers an ideal location
CEO Council of the Greater Fort for CEOs, mid-level executives,
Lauderdale Alliance found that entrepreneurs and Millennials to
brokers/site location consultants “work in the cloud and live in the
have a very high perception of Greater Fort sun.” It’s an attractive region where life is less taxing
Lauderdale as a potential location for corporate – for many reasons.
headquarters. About 94 percent of respondents Key Business Advantages
Here are some of the top reasons major companies
are choosing Greater Fort Lauderdale for their
corporate or regional headquarters:
• Experienced C-level executives, managers and
supervisors.
• A central location in the South Florida
metropolitan statistical area (MSA), the largest in
the Southeast.
• A deep and diversified pool of IT talent as well as
state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure,
including one of the world’s few Network Access
Points (NAP of the Americas).
• A broad-based and diverse multilingual,
multicultural workforce continuously enhanced
through the education of 300,000 college students
each year.
• Access to both domestic and international
markets with three international airports in close
proximity, including convenient service to Latin
Photo Courtesy of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
6 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021
Photo by Jock Fistick - South Florida Business Journal
America, the Caribbean and Europe. and deep business and cultural ties to Latin Six Pillars Broward
• Highly ranked public and private schools, colleges America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Broward County community leaders and volunteers
and universities. Overall, South Florida is the eighth largest began a twenty-year strategic visioning plan
• A plentiful inventory of reasonably priced, high- metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the nation in 2011, using the Six Pillars framework of the
quality executive housing. with 6.1 million residents – nearly one-third of Florida Chamber Foundation, with a goal of
• Five professional sports teams in the region Florida’s total population. Approximately 60 helping communities throughout the state prosper
and year-round outdoor recreation in a highly percent of the population is of prime working age. and create high paying jobs. In 2020, a full-time
favorable climate. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the executive director was hired to lead Six Pillars
For more information, visit www.lesstaxing.com. Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Business Broward, thanks to the support of Broward County.
Development Board of Palm Beach County work Work continues on Six Pillars 2.0, focusing on
Regional Cooperation together to take a regional approach to economic ten key areas: Affordable Housing, Community
South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward and development. Additionally, the Alliance works with Branding, Entrepreneurship, Homelessness,
Palm Beach Counties) has been designated a other regional organizations on strategic planning Prosperity Broward, Resiliency, Social Justice &
“megaregion of the future” and a driver of future initiatives and business climate projects such as Six Racial Equity, Talent Atraction & Retention, Target
U.S. economic growth. Inc. magazine has called the Pillars, Techgateway.org, the South Florida Marine Industry Growth and Transportation. The entire Six
region “one of the most connected places on earth,” Research Hub, Life Sciences South Florida, CIO Pillars Broward plan and the latest implementation
citing South Florida’s transportation connections Council, IT Palooza and eMerge Americas. updates can be found at sixpillarsbroward.org.
94% Survey respondents who saw Greater
Fort Lauderdale as a positive potential
location for a corporate headquarters. 300K college students contribute to
South Florida talent pool
6.1M people reside in the
South Florida MSA
www.gflalliance.org 7
WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
RECENT EXPANSIONS
& RELOCATIONS
• Accilerate, which develops software and
hardware focused on artificial intelligence and
business process automation programs, is making a
$3.6 million capital investment in Sunrise.
• Amazon is adding jobs and making a capital
investment of $1 million at its sortation center in
Sunrise.
• Arteria, LLC, a joint-venture medical device
company in Sunrise. The company plans to hire
92 research and development engineers and
manufacturing operators and make a capital
investment of $2.1 million.
• Bankers Healthcare Group, which specializes
in financing for the medical industry, including
doctors and dentists, is making a $42 million
capital investment in Miramar.
• Decimal Engineering, which specializes in
precision sheet metal fabrication for numerous
industries including marine, defense and
technology, has expanded its manufacturing facility
in Coral Springs.
• Delta Private Jets expanded its maintenance, • JetBlue Travel Products opened its new
repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities by headquarters in Dania Beach The subsidiary of Photo Courtesy of JetBlue
opening a new location at Sheltair Aviation on the JetBlue, the leading airline at FLL, consists of the
grounds of FLL. JetBlue Vacations brand and other non-air travel
• DGS Marine, a Brazilian shipbuilder specializing products. includes warehousing, ecommerce fulfillment,
in military vessels, is adding new jobs and making a • National Stoneworks, a supplier of cabinets, and and distribution, is adding is making a capital
capital investment of $4.8 million in Miramar. granite, marble and quartz countertops, is making a investment of $14 million in Fort Lauderdale.
• DNA Labs International, a company providing capital investment of $500,000 in Weston. • Sintavia, which fabricates aviation parts using 3D
forensic DNA analysis, has added jobs to its • Navalimpianti, which designs and manufactures metallic powder printing, is making a $16 million
Deerfield Beach location. equipment such as valves, remote control systems capital investment at its new manufacturing facility
• Emser Tile, a tile and natural stone company, and cargo access equipment for passenger and in Hollywood.
is making a capital investment of $1 million at merchant ships, is adding jobs, making a capital • Spirit Airlines is investing $250 million in a
its regional inventory and distribution center in investment of $9.8 million in Fort Lauderdale. state-of-the-art new headquarters campus in
Coral Springs. • Publix Super Markets, Inc., is adding 265 new Dania Beach.
• Hayes Locums, a professional services physician jobs and making a capital investment of $23.4 • SR Technologies, Inc., a division of SRT Group
placement firm, expanded its operations at its million in Deerfield Beach. that specializes in design, engineering, and research
headquarters in Fort Lauderdale. • Shiji Group, a leading global hospitality and development for wireless communications,
• ICON International, a corporate barter company technology provider, chose Hollywood for its third selected Sunrise for its new headquarters.
headquartered in Connecticut, opened a new office corporate headquarters in the Americas. • Techtronic Industries, a Hong Kong-based group
in Fort Lauderdale’s uptown area. • Shipmonk, a strategic logistics partner that of companies that includes iconic brands such as
COMPANY SPOTLIGHT:
Seminole Tribe Headquarters
Seminole Tribe of Florida is deeply committed to the future
of South Florida. Based in Hollywood, the tribal organization
has invested $1.5 billion in expanding the Seminole Hard Rock
Hotel & Casino Hollywood, including the world’s first Guitar
Hotel, an iconic engineering masterpiece that rises 450 feet
into the sky and houses 638 luxury guest rooms and suites.
The resort also has a new Oasis Tower with 168 luxury
rooms, a new spa, 13.5 acres of recreational waterscape,
and 120,000 square feet of meeting space, including a
38,000-square-foot carpeted exhibition hall for trade shows,
association conventions, large corporate groups and social
fundraisers.
Seminole Hard Rock was named top “Employer of Choice”
in Gaming Industry for the fourth year in a row and was named
to Forbes Magazine’s lists of “America’s Best Employers” and Photo Courtesy of Hard Rock Hotel / Seminole Tribe of Florida
“America’s Best Employers for Women.”
8 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
Recent Relocations and Expansions
Sq. Ft. of Direct Capital Jobs Jobs
Company City Type of Facility Product/Service
Project Investment Created Retained
1 Development and implementation of software/hardware, focused
Accilerate Sunrise Office/R&D 6000 $3,600,000 50 50
on artificial intelligence and business process automation
2 Amazon Sunrise Sortation Center 179,000 $1,000,000 70 N/A Sortation center for the distribution process
Office/
3 AT&T Sunrise 33,000 $1,000,000 300 N/A Administrative offices for AT&T
Administrative
Bankers
4 Miramar Offfice 130,000 $42,000,000 220 N/A Specializes in financing for medical industry, doctors, dentists, etc.
Healthcare Group
5 Decimal Engineering Coral Springs Manufacturing 75,000 $9,500,000 20 150 Full-service metal manufacturer
Industrial
6 DGS Marine Miramar 7,000 $4,800,000 20 N/A Brazilian shipbuilder specializing in military vessels
Manufacturing
Deerfield Forensic DNA analysis for law enforcement agencies, attorneys,
7 DNA Labs International Office/Laboratory 20,000 $7,500,000 10 33
Beach and government forensic labs
Provides placement services on a temporary and permanent
8 Hayes Locums Fort Lauderdale Office 73,784 $6,798,960 250 N/A basis to both physician offices and healthcare institutions
nationwide
9 Icon International Fort Lauderdale Office 9,000 $700,000 50 N/A Corporate barter
10 JetBlue Travel Products Dania Beach Office 20,000 $3,000,000 200 N/A Headquarters for JetBlue Travel Products
Kellstrom
11 Davie Industrial 65,000 $4,900,000 45 86 Leading supplier of aircraft parts and services
Aerospace Group
Manufacturing/
12 Publix Deerfield Beach 62,000 $23,400,000 265 N/A Food manufacturer/distributor
Distribution
Company acts as a strategic logistics partner that includes
13 Office/Distribution/
Shipmonk Fort Lauderdale 170,000 $14,000,000 200 136 warehousing, eCommerce fulfillment, warehousing and
Warehouse
distribution
14 Sintavia Hollywood Manufacturing 60,000 $16,000,000 50 15 Provides 3D metallic powder printing for aviation parts
15 International company with global headquarters in Asia, focused
Shiji Hollywood Office 14,000 $800,000 70 10
on technology platform for the hospital industry
Office/Training/
16 Spirit Dania Beach 500,000 $250,000,000 225 853 Major US passenger airline headquarters
Corporate Housing
18,000
US Headquarter United States HQ. The company researches, manufactures
office,
17 Techtronic Industries Fort Lauderdale Office and $900,000 50 N/A and sells battery powered equipment to both the retail and
15,000
Hangar Space commercial markets
hangar
18 Virgin Voyages Plantation Office 60,000 $15,900,000 300 10 Global headquarters for new Virgin cruise line
Pembroke Office/R&D/ Company develops, manufactures and distributes sports
19 VPX 800,000 $181,000,000 250 231
Pines Manufacturing medicine-related nutraceuticals, functional foods and beverages
Office/R&D/ Centralized service operations for specialized pharmacy
20 Walgreens Corporation Miramar 52,000 $7,175,300 100 338
Distribution services/products
Wash Depot Holdings, Fort Lauder- Leading interior and exterior service car wash and
21 Headquarter 3,000 $190,000 18 N/A
Inc. dale detailing services
Pembroke Flight Training Provides full career prep from FAA certification to college
22 Wayman Aviation N/A $4,500,000 20 9
Pines Facility degrees and flow through to airlines
www.gflalliance.org 9WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
High National
Rankings
Greater Fort Lauderdale continues to
be one of the most attractive business
locations in the country, as evidenced by
the following recent national rankings:
• Florida is the second best state in the
nation in which to do business – a ranking
it has held for several years – according to
Chief Executive magazine.
• South Florida ranked No. 8 on CBRE’s
2020 list of technology talent labor pool
growth markets, based on the change in
tech job growth over the past five years.
• Greater Fort Lauderdale and Miami
ranked number one in the country for
2017 for startup activity, according to
the Kauffman Foundation’s Index of
Entrepreneurship
• Florida ranked in the Top 5 for Best Milwaukee Tool, Ryobi, Hoover and Dirt Devil,
relocated its U.S. headquarters to Fort Lauderdale. Photo Courtesy of the City of Oakland Park
Business Tax Climate, Tech jobs, GDP
Leaders, FTZ, Opportunity Zone, Solar • VPX, the maker of Bang energy drinks, is making
Power jobs and Startup ecosystems on the a capital investment of $181 million in Pembroke and advocate for business clients seeking to do
Business Facilities magazine 2020 Metro Pines. business in Broward County, responsible for
Rankings report. • Wash Depot Holdings, a multi-state full-service project response preparation, client management
interior and exterior car wash company, relocating and project management. This involves providing
• Broward County (FTZ #25) ranked #5 in its headquarters from Massachusetts to Fort companies with requested information, state and
FTZ Export Activity (July, 2020) Lauderdale. county documents when various
• Wayman Aviation, which types of assistance is sought, and
#4
• FDI Strategy ranked Greater Fort provides aviation career helping the company navigate
Lauderdale as seventh in the world for preparation, recently celebrated through their questions as they are
connectivity on its annual ranking of the grand opening of its new flight considering locating or expanding
“Aerospace Cities of the Future 2018/19.” training facility in Pembroke Pines. in Broward County.
• Retention of Existing
• Florida ranked fourth in the nation About the Alliance Businesses. This service is focused
for business-friendly tax systems, The Greater Fort Lauderdale on helping existing businesses add
according to the Tax Foundation’s 2020 Alliance is Broward County’s Florida ranked fourth additional jobs and keeping them
State Business Tax Climate Index. Also, official public/private partnership in the nation in Broward County by providing
Florida is among seven states that levy no for economic development. Its for business-friendly a variety of business services
personal income tax. mission is to lead Broward County tax systems, including assistance in finding
in building a stronger and more according to the Tax financing, solving workforce issues,
• Florida is the sixth best state to start a diverse economy by stimulating Foundation’s 2020 locating available land and building
business, according to WalletHub, 2019 the creation of new jobs and capital State Business Tax space, etc.
investment while facilitating Climate Index. • Local Support for New
• U.S. News & World Report named Florida the growth and retention of Businesses. Through its
the top state in the country for higher businesses in Broward County. Investor members, the Alliance
education in 2019, the third year in a row. Services offered by the Alliance coordinates programs to welcome
include assistance with business new companies to the Broward
• Multiple Florida College System relocation or expansion and site County business community. It
members have been winners or finalists in selection; incentive programs can help with anything as simple
the Aspen Prize for College Excellence in and information; market research as a reception with other local
the past five years. and serving as a liaison for CEOs, to a coordinated press
workforce development between release program, to assisting with
• Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International CareerSource Broward, educational attendees and preparations for a
Airport ranked #3 of the best large airports institutions and the business ribbon cutting or grand opening
in the country (Wall Street Journal, community. celebration. The Alliance can also assist companies
February 2020) Examples of assistance the Alliance provides in finding local professional advisors, new vendors,
to companies interested in a Broward County and making introductions to key service providers.
business expansion or relocation include: • State Support. The Alliance works directly with
• Relocation and Expansion Support. The Enterprise Florida, the Florida Department of
Alliance serves as the primary point of contact Economic Opportunity and the Governor’s Office
10 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
regarding economic development projects. comparisons with other potential relocation
• Permitting and Regulatory Assistance. The sites. The Alliance also provides market research/ Photo Courtesy of the City of Sunrise
Alliance facilitates pre-submission business intelligence through
#8
meetings and communications its GIS Planning website (www. • Business Incentives Assistance. The Alliance
between prospect companies and GreaterFortLauderdaleProperties. helps determine a company’s eligibility for state
various municipal and Broward com) which provides 24/7/365 and local business incentives and helps navigate
County permitting and regulatory accessibility for prospective the application process for incentives such as the
agencies once a relocation or clients, site selection consultants Qualified Target Industry Tax Rebate, Capital
expansion project is active. This and corporate real estate service Investment Tax Credit, High Impact Performance
helps companies work through advisors for available properties Incentive, Transportation/Road Funds and
South Florida ranked
the permitting and regulatory and demographics. Broward County’s Job Growth Incentive.
No. 8 on CBRE’s
requirements process so they can 2020 list of technology • Community Profiles. The The Alliance can also help local companies
quickly start hiring workers and talent labor pool Alliance produces client-ready enter or expand into the international
begin their operations. growth markets, based overviews on Broward County marketplace through:
• Business and Industry on the change in that provide the latest detailed • Overseas Inbound/Outbound Business
Intelligence. The Alliance tech job growth over data, including population, Missions. The Alliance assists local companies
provides project-related, the past five years. employment, income, cost of in entering or expanding into the international
competitive business and living and general characteristics.
industry research including Answers to commonly asked (Below from Left to right) Photo Courtesy of
business cluster data analysis, community research data Riverside Hotel; Photo Courtesy of the Greater
workforce assessment, commercial questions can be found on the Alliance’s website Fort Lauderdale CVB
real estate trends, business cost analysis and at gflalliance.org.
12 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021IN HALLANDALE BEACH
OPPORTUNITY MEETS
PROGRESS & INNOVATION
Over $1 Billion Of Development Underway
Hallandale Beach is a city on the move!
Within the past years, $100s of millions
in commercial, office, mixed use and
residential developments have been
approved and over $1 billion in projects
ICEBOX CAFÉ CULINARY
are currently in the pipeline. Our vibrant
city is home to State-of-the-Art CoWorking
ARTS CENTER
& Commercial Spaces, Luxury Housing,
the world-renowned Gulfstream Park
Racing and Casino, Beautiful Beaches,
Diverse Cuisine from around the World,
Shopping and More!
Hallandale Beach is one of the fastest VILLAGE AT ATLANTIC SHORES
growing cities in the State of Florida and
we invite you to join us. This growth has
spurred more than $1 billion of
development, and this is only the
beginning. With incentive and grant
programs, opportunities await you in the
areas of restaurant development, retail,
hospitality, healthcare, technology, ARTSQUARE AT BEACON OFFICE
fashion and art. HALLANDALE BUILDING
OPTIMA
OFFICE
NORTH
CITYCENTER HALLANDALE OASIS
We are open for your business. Call our A CELEBRATION OF ART & CULTURE!
hotline today at 954-787-2055 M-F
from 9am-5pm to learn more about our
programs and incentives. We look
forward to hearing from you. Find
additional information on our website
www.cohbcra.org
ART SERVEWHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
marketplace by organizing and executing inbound
and outbound business missions. The Alliance also
partners with Enterprise Florida on Team Florida
Missions led by the Governor or Lt. Governor,
which create opportunities for Florida companies
to showcase their products and meet one-on-one
with potential customers worldwide.
• Export Counseling. The Broward County Office
of Economic and Small Business Development
offers export readiness counseling via its award-
winning 11 Steps to Exporting – A Roadmap
to Your Exporting Success program. The office
provides access to additional resources from
partners such as Enterprise Florida, the state’s
official economic development organization, Fort
Lauderdale’s U.S. Export Assistance Office, under
the United States Department of Commerce and
its District Export Council. Other partners offer
free export counseling, analyses of international
trade trends, and advice to Florida manufacturers,
exporters and service companies. Counselors are
available to meet with clients at their offices, at the
Alliance’s office or via telephone.
• Financial Assistance, The Alliance collaborates members, Broward County and other partners,
with the Florida Export Finance Corporation to helped create or retain more than 38,000 direct Photo Courtesy of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
facilitate financial assistance for export transactions jobs from 2007 to 2020. That study also examined
for Florida’s small and medium-sized companies, the direct, indirect and induced effects and
which sometimes have difficulty obtaining loans estimated a total increase in employment of
from conventional lending institutions. approximately 77,000 jobs, as well as $2.9 billion in For more information about the Greater Fort
A study by the South Florida Regional Planning annual personal income and $15.1 billion in annual Lauderdale Alliance and its services, visit
Council found that the Alliance, working with its economic impact in Broward County. gflalliance.org.
BROWARD COUNTY FAST FACTS
Educational Attainment Historical & Projected County Population Broward Labor Force
Population 25 years and over • Labor Force 1,014,650
27% • Employment 920,732*
High School Graduate: 2030 2.2 M • Unemployment 93,918*
377,530 • Percentage Rate 9.3%*
Bachelor’s Degree:
2025 2.1 M
292,872 21% Source: Florida Department of
Some college, no degree:
2020 2.0 M Economic Opportunity, August, 2020
270,590 *High unemployment rate due to
Graduate or Professional
2015 1.9 M COVID-19 pandemic impact.
Degree: 180,367 19%
$25.00
Associate Degree:
2010 1.8 M
138,143
2005 1.7 M
9th to 12th grade, 13% FLORIDA AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS
no diploma: 87,543
10% 2000 1.6 M (All Occupations)
Less than 9th grade: 64,315
6% 4% Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Source: EMSI
821.1K
2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
Age Distribution HOUSING UNITS
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018
American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
5.8% 17.5% 32.6% 21% 6.5% 16.6%
Under 5 years 5 to 19 years 20 to 39 years 40 to 59 years 60 to 64 years 65 and over
$57.3K
112,814 341,337 636,697 409,181 126,706 324,525 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018 American Community Survey American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
14 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE Map courtesy of Dolph Map Company www.gflalliance.org 15
WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
BRAVO
One of the primary goals of the Greater Fort
Lauderdale Alliance is to help companies already
located in Broward County succeed and prosper.
A key business retention and expansion initiative
is BRAVO (Business Retention Assistance and
Visitation Outreach). Through this program,
representatives of the Alliance, Broward
County Office of Economic and Small Business
Development, local municipalities and chambers
of commerce conduct visits to local businesses in
an effort to strengthen the local economy.
In the past year, more than 300 local companies
were visited, in person and virtually, through the
BRAVO program. The visits include discussions of
programs available to businesses wanting to expand
in Broward and information regarding issues such
as workforce development, international trade and
access to financing.
constitute the largest sector of the county’s In order to best serve this important group
Minority/Small Business Development economy. These small businesses provide a wide of businesses, the Alliance is an active member
While nearly 90 percent of Broward’s businesses array of products and services to private and of many organizations that promote and assist in
employ fewer than 25 people, collectively they public customers. the growth of minority and small businesses in
The following companies, institutions, firms and organizations are contributing
their time, talents and financial resources to the Alliance. By supporting economic
development, they are sustaining targeted business attraction, retention and growth,
increasing local tax revenues, encouraging quality businesses as community
partners and creating high-wage jobs for our economy.
CEO COUNCIL ($50,000)
• AutoNation, Mike Jackson • City Furniture, Keith Koenig, Vice Chair • Florida Blue, Penny Shaffer • Florida Panthers, Matthew Caldwell • FPL, Juliet M. Roulhac •
• JetBlue /JetBlue Travel Products, Andres Barry • JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Colin Brown - Chair • Kaplan, Inc., Andrew S. Rosen • Kaufman Lynn Construction, Michael Kaufman •
• Nova Southeastern University, George L. Hanbury, II • Rick Case Automotive Group, Rita & Rick Case • Seminole Tribe of Florida, Andrew Bowers • Spirit Airlines, Ted Christie •
• Stiles, Ken Stiles • TTI, Steve Richman • Wells Fargo, Hector J. Ponte • Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmerman • Ray Ferrero, Jr., CEO Council Chair Emeritus, NSU •
• In memoriam: Huizenga Holdings Inc., H. Wayne Huizenga •
GOVERNOR COUNCIL ($25,000) • Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Intl. Airport • Broward Center for the Performing Arts • Miller Construction Company
• Baptist Health South Florida • Friends of WLRN • Broward Health • Regions Bank
• Breakthru Beverage Group • ICON International • Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) • Riverside Hotel, Las Olas Company
• Broward College • Kaufman Rossin • Citrix • RSM US, LLP
• Broward County Office of Economic • Memorial Healthcare System • City of Plantation • SeaLand
& Small Business Development • Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina • City of Pompano Beach • Shutts
• Broward County Public Schools • Signature Grand • Crown Castle • South Florida Business & Wealth Magazine
• CareerSource Broward • South Florida Business Journal • Daszkal Bolton LLP • Sun Sentinel Media Group
• City of Coconut Creek • Starmark International • Fifth Third Bank • Town of Davie
• City of Coral Springs • Flexential • Truist
• City of Deerfield Beach LEADERSHIP COUNCIL ($10,000) • Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, a JLL Property
• City of Fort Lauderdale • Ambit Advertising and Public Relations • Greenspoon Marder Law CORPORATE COUNCIL ($5,000)
• City of Hallandale Beach • ANF Group, Inc. • Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino • Advantage Services
• City of Hollywood • Bank of America Merrill Lynch • GUNSTER • Akerman LLP
• City of Miramar • BankUnited • HEICO Corporation • Amerant Bank
• City of Sunrise • BBX Capital • JPMorgan Chase & Co. • Bank Leumi
• Entercom South Florida • Becker • Junior Achievement of South Florida • BBVA USA
• First Horizon Bank • Brightline • MasTec North America, Inc. • Berger Singerman, LLP
16 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021WHY GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward County. Additionally, the Alliance has
specific programs that assist small, minority and
women-owned businesses enter or expand into the
local marketplace through:
• Leadership Development - Each year, the
Alliance selects up to ten minority and women-
owned business leaders to participate in the
Alliance’s Fellowship Program. The purpose of the
program is to recruit diverse business leadership
and support the growth and development of small
businesses in Broward County.
• Strategic Partnerships - The Alliance assists
certified small, minority and women-owned
business owners in developing relationships
with larger companies and in helping them
find programs that provide assistance to small
companies such as financing and business planning.
• Growth Opportunities - The Alliance, with
its partners, assists small, minority and women-
owned businesses in expanding in the local market
(Opposite page) Photo Courtesy of Broward County Cultural Division; (Above) Photo Courtesy of the
by providing access to local and regional resources
City of Hallandale Beach
in the private and government sector.
CORPORATE COUNCIL ($5,000) • Morris Southeast Group • Charter One Yachts • Toothaker.org
(continued) • Moss & Associates • CoAdvantage • USI Insurance Services
• Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc. • National Jets, Inc. • Colliers International • Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman
• Broward County Cultural Division • Pierson Grant Public Relations • Crockett Foundation • WolfCreek Consulting
• Broward – Miami Realtors • PNC Bank • Cymbal Development • Workspace Property Trust
• Brown & Brown Insurance • Polsinelli Law • Dan Perez Films
• Capital Analytics • Right Management • DaVinci Inflight Training Institute ASSOCIATES ($1,000)
• Castle Group • Sheltair Aviation Center • Encompass Onsite, LLC • Advanced Roofing, Inc.
• City of Dania Beach CRA • Sixt rent a car • FB Marine Group • Art & Culture Center of Hollywood
• City of Lauderhill • Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach • Flashback Diner • Belmont Village Senior Living Fort Lauderdale
• City of Lauderdale Lakes • South Florida Symphony Orchestra, Inc. • Greenberg Traurig • Broward Public Library Foundation
• City of Margate • Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler • Holland & Knight • Fellowship Foundation RCO
• City of North Lauderdale Alhadeff & Sitterson, P.A. • IDI Logistics • Florida Atlantic Research &
• City of Oakland Park • Suffolk Construction Company • Jim Moran Institute Development Authority
• City of Pembroke Pines • Sunbeam Properties & Development • Keefe McCullough & Co. • Florida Property Management Services, Inc
• City of Tamarac • Sunnyvale Corporation • KEITH • Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
• Comcast Business • TECO Energy • Latin2Latin Marketing + Communications, LLC • HABCO Manufacturing
• Community Foundation of Broward • Tower Commercial Real Estate • MBAF (Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLC) • Leadership Broward Foundation
• Compass Office Solutions, LLC • Tripp Scott, P.A. • MGM General Contracting, Inc. • LSN Partners
• Cushman & Wakefield • Trustbridge Hospice Foundation • MSi Consulting • Marine Industries Association of South Florida
• Dale Carnegie • UKG, formerly known as Ultimate Software • NAI Rauch Weaver • The Traina Company
• Deloitte • United Way of Broward County • Nperspective CFO Strategic Services • Tower Club Fort Lauderdale
• Duke Realty • Valley National Bank • OIC of South Florida • Urban League of Broward County
• Ernst & Young, LLP • Verizon • OutPLEX
• First Citizens Bank • WheelHouse IT • Publix Super Markets, Inc.
• Florida Atlantic University • Resolve Marine Gail Bulfin, Sr. VP - Membership Development
• Florida Trend Magazine ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL ($2,500) • Rubin, Turnbull & Associates Tania Vinaixa, Director, Membership Development
• Ford • Aging & Disability Resource Center • Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk 954-524-3113
• GrayRobinson, P.A of Broward County • South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association
• Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce • AirQuest Environmental Inc. • South Florida Institute on Aging
• Hotwire Communications • AirTrade Aviation Group • South Florida Manufacturing Association In addition to those members listed above, the
• JC White • Apricot Office Interiors • Steven Greenwald Design, Inc. Alliance also thanks its Partner Council, made
• JLL • Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors • Templeton & Company, LLP up of representatives from Broward County
• Lewis Brisbois and Accountants • Terumo Aortic and its municipalities, chambers of commerce,
• Magic Leap, Inc. • BIG CHEF • Tewes Design Group, LLC redevelopment agencies and local business
• Marsh & McLennan Agency • Big Dog Construction Services, Inc. • The Weitz Company assistance organizations
www.gflalliance.org 17BUSINESS CLIMATE
A Robust Economy
Companies of all sizes are prospering
in Greater Fort Lauderdale
W
ith a strategic global location, large skilled Trust Insurance, Spirit Airlines, UKG - formerly
workforce and low-tax environment, known as Ultimate Software, and Virgin Voyages.
Greater Fort Lauderdale A robust communications
appeals to Fortune 500 companies, infrastructure and convenient air
#2
multinationals, and mid-size and connections make Greater Fort
small businesses in a wide array of Lauderdale particularly attractive
industries. as a regional headquarters location
The region’s economic diversity for multinational companies from alliancespotlight
is reflected in a growing pool North America, Europe and the
of skilled workers in fields like Pacific Rim. At the same time,
technology, life sciences, finance,
professional and business services,
Chief Executive
magazine
the region provides a natural
entry point for Latin American
“Greater Fort
education and healthcare, leisure survey once companies seeking to establish Lauderdale.
and hospitality, manufacturing, and again ranked themselves in the U.S. marketplace.
retail and wholesale trade. Florida as the A recent WorldCity study Where business is
Many businesses take advantage
of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s
number two
best state for
found that more than 1,450
multinational companies
hot, the weather
position in the heart of South business in
2020
representing 59 nations have is warm and the
Florida, the state’s largest metro offices in the Miami-Dade,
region with more than 6.1 million Broward and Palm Beach County people are cool.”
people. For global companies region. That includes Microsoft,
serving Latin America and the DHL Express, Ecolab, Emerson,
Caribbean – as well as European, Asian and
Latin companies seeking to penetrate the North
Marriott International, Microsoft, and The Wendy’s
Company. Michael Goldberg
American market – Greater Fort Lauderdale Greater Fort Lauderdale’s other assets that Senior Advisor/Former CEO,
provides a proven strategic platform for growth. attract corporate headquarters include a large,
skilled multilingual workforce, excellent school
Zimmerman Advertising
Corporate Headquarters system, and pro-business attitude. In fact, a recent
Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to many Chief Executive magazine survey once again ranked
headquarters operations, including AutoNation, Florida as the number two best state for business
JM Family Enterprises, Citrix, Magic Leap, People’s in its “Best and Worst States for Business in 2020”
rankings and the Tax Foundation ranked Florida as
the fourth best state business tax climate for 2020.
For more information, visit lesstaxing.com.
MAJOR INDUSTRY SECTORS
The Alliance is dedicated to supporting the growth
of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s key business sectors,
including aviation, international trade and services,
life sciences, manufacturing, marine, technology,
and tourism.
Aviation
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s aviation industry is
a multibillion-dollar sector, including airlines,
general aviation, airports, airframe and engine
manufacturers, component parts suppliers,
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)
businesses, and allied industries such as banking
and insurance. Its hub is Fort Lauderdale-
Hollywood International Airport (FLL), which has
a total economic impact of $37.5 billion annually.
Photo Courtesy of the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB
18 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021Photo by Jock Fistick - South Florida Business Journal
Many companies in the aviation sector are also Hayes Locums, a professional services physician highlights production-friendly hotels, among other
investing in Greater Fort Lauderdale, including GA placement firm, and ICON International, a services. It also positions Greater Fort Lauderdale with
Telesis, GE Aviation, Heico and Turbine Controls. corporate barter company headquartered in Film in Florida, the sales and marketing organization
The region’s schools, colleges and universities offer Connecticut. promoting the state for film and entertainment overall.
a variety of programs to educate and train skilled The CVB’s Underground division focuses on film,
workers in the aviation and aerospace sectors. Film and Entertainment music, fashion/shopping and creative culture, nightlife
See Aviation for more information. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors and special events. The division also promotes Greater
Bureau’s office of Film, Music, Entertainment & Fort Lauderdale as a key destination for live music,
Business and Professional Services Creative Industries (OFME) focuses on all creative concerts and entertainment venues as well as music
With leading financial institutions, major industries, including film, music, entertainment, festival opportunities.
accounting and legal firms, and a full array of art, fashion and special events. Since 2010, the For more on the creative scene, visit sunny.org/
marketing and communications companies, county has hosted more than 800 productions from underground.
Greater Fort Lauderdale has a highly dynamic features to high-impact TV series, telenovelas,
business and professional services sector. More than documentaries, independent projects, commercials, Global Logistics and International Trade
130,000 employees work in this sector in Greater music videos and still shoots. With easy access to seaborne trade through
Fort Lauderdale. The CVB’s office facilitates one-stop permitting, the Panama Canal, Greater Fort Lauderdale is
Recent expansions in this sector include acts as a liaison to all Broward municipalities and positioned at the cusp of Latin America within
6.1M Population of
South Florida MSA 1,450 Multinational offices
in South Florida 155,000+ Employees in business
and professional services
www.gflalliance.org 19BUSINESS CLIMATE
An Exciting
Entrepreneurial
Ecosystem
Innovation, creativity and
entrepreneurship are flourishing
throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale
and reflect the diversity of the
region.
From online meetups to
consulting and mentoring programs
there are many resources to help
entrepreneurs find advice and
support on launching new ventures.
For example, Axis South Florida has
free assistance for nonprofits and
businesses (axishelps.org/generator)
and the Florida Virtual Entrepreneur
Center hosts an online directory of
resource agencies (flvec.com).
1,000 miles of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala,
Google and the American Photo Courtesy of the City of Sunrise
Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti,
Library Association recently
Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and many other
awarded a grant to Broward County
Caribbean basin nations. Key to the success of organizations that assist importers, exporters and
Library to improve technology skills
this targeted industry are two economic engines: international service providers.
for entrepreneurs from low-income
Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International business (trade plus foreign direct
and minority groups. The initiative,
International Airport (FLL). investment) supports nearly one in six jobs in
“Making Entrepreneurship in Tech
Greater Fort Lauderdale also has the workforce
Accessible (META),” will address the state and accounts for one-sixth of the state’s
to support the global logistics sector, with more
inequality by offering technology economic output. Most of the state’s exports and
than 25,000 jobs in the transportation and
workshops and incubator sessions to imports came through the Miami Customs District,
warehousing industry sector in the county. In
launch new businesses. which includes Port Everglades and FLL. The
addition, several local colleges and universities
The region’s entrepreneurial district’s total trade was $111.4 billion in 2018 with
offer programs related to logistics, including the
ecosystem includes angel investing a positive trade surplus of $11.8 billion.
Global Trade and Logistics program at Broward
groups, venture capital firms and See Transportation and Infrastructure for more
College and an MBA in supply chain management
other sources of equity and debt information.
and a supply chain management certificate at Nova
financing. $2.39 billion was invested
Southeastern University, among others.
in South Florida startups in 2020, Foreign Trade Zones
With FLL and Port Everglades, businesses
and another $2.49 million in the In Broward County, non-contiguous designation of
in Greater Fort Lauderdale enjoy fast and
first quarter of 2020, according to a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) allows a company to
convenient connections to world markets. A
Venture Monitor. take advantage of the benefits offered by these zones
diverse, multilingual workforce, and convenient
The Florida SBDC at FAU (fau.
office and warehouse facilities support the flow regardless of their location within the County. The
edu/research/sbdc) and Broward
of international goods and services. In addition, designation can originate from either of the two
SCORE (browardscore.org) offer
Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to many existing Foreign Trade Zones listed on page 21.
one-on-one business counseling,
as well as in-person workshops
and seminars on topics like writing
a business plan and marketing
strategies. Presenters and counselors
have experience in accounting, law,
banking and business management
Port Everglades Top Regional Trading
from diverse industries.
The Broward College Partners for Containerized Cargo
Entrepreneurship Experience
(BCEx) offers a portfolio of services,
including the Innovation Hub, Imports in TEUs Exports in TEUs
a mixed-use business incubator 1. Honduras: 57,376 6. Dominican 1. Honduras: 39,458 6. Netherlands
housing a dynamic community of 2. Guatemala: 52,133 Republic: 20,925 2. Guatemala: 38,716 Antilles: 26,909
entrepreneurs, startups, mentors, 3. Brazil: 33,006 7. Belgium: 14,963 3. Dominican 7. Virgin Islands: 21,089
advisors and investors. 4. Colombia: 26,003 8. Germany: 14,946 Republic: 31,101 8. Costa Rica: 17,874
See Business Assistance chapter 5. Costa Rica: 22,283 9. Bahamas: 14,701 4. Panama: 30,767 9. Colombia: 17,417
for more information. 10. Panama: 12,292 5. Bahamas: 29,133 10. Cayman Islands: 17,384
Source: Port Everglades
20 GFLA Economic Sourcebook 2021You can also read
