80 JANUARY 2018 S I T E S E L E C T I O N

GDP

4th

2016 GDP(in millions of current US$)

$926,049

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

20162015201420132012

Graph dimensions: 86.52 px W 43.216 px HY-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 3 ptX-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 5 pt

Legislative Update• After a months-long legislative challenge to Florida’s business

recruitment agency, lawmakers settled on cutting state money for Enterprise Florida’s annual operations from $23.5 million to $16 million. Lawmakers also imposed new rules on the agency, such as increasing financial disclosure requirements and banning the use of tax dollars for performance bonuses.

• A new $85-million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund was established within the state Department of Economic Opportunity, to be used to promote public infrastructure and individual job training with the aim of attracting business relocations. DEO and Enterprise Florida are to “identify projects, solicit proposals and make funding recommendations to the Governor, who is authorized to approve them.”

• HB 3a boosts per-student spending for public education by $100. An earlier version that increased per-student spending by only $24 was vetoed. HB 15 boosts the size of voucher-like credit scholarships that help parents pay for private school tuition.

Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2017-2018: 0

Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $2,530,782

Number of NCRCs: 114,398 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 0%

Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 7.99

ITIF Score: 62.7

Enterprise Florida800 N. Magnolia Ave., #1100

Orlando, FL 32803

Peter Antonacci President/CeO

407-956-5600

enterpriseflorida.com

Florida

“In six years and two months, we’ve added 1.3 million new jobs. It’s very important we keep the effort up. We’ve got to keep marketing our state. If we don’t, we’re not going to get as many tourists, which will mean less jobs, and 1.4 million jobs are tied to tourism.”— Gov. Rick Scott, in an interview with Site Selection on April 11 in Tampa

Pop. (2017): 20,619,313 Pop. growth 2017–2022: 1.36%Median household income: $50,606 Median age: 42.2Credit Rating: AAA/Stable Right-to-work state: Yes

GDP

9th

2016 GDP(in millions of current US$)

$531,302

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

20162015201420132012

Graph dimensions: 86.52 px W 43.216 px HY-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 3 ptX-axis: ITC Franklin Gothic Std Medium Condensed 5 pt

Legislative Update• The “bed tax” on Georgia hospitals, enacted in 2010 and

renewed in 2013, was extended for three more years. The tax is expected to raise more than $300 million a year, to be used to leverage more than $600 million in federal funds for the state’s Medicaid program.

• A new law allows craft beer brewers and liquor distilleries to sell directly to consumers. The new rules, which erode the state’s previous “three-tier” system of alcohol distribution, are a major boon to the state’s craft alcohol industry.

• HB1 sets a strict legal standard for a plaintiff injured while riding in a spacecraft to collect damages in a lawsuit. The new law will give operators of a planned spaceport in coastal Camden County the same liability protections as those in states competing with Georgia to host commercial rocket launches.

Business Tax Climate Rank Change 2017-2018: 0

Higher Ed. R&D Expenditure: $2,182,969

Number of NCRCs: 337,808 | Percent Improvement 2017-2018: 1%

Lowest Electric Power Cost (cents/kWh): 6.3

ITIF Score: 66.8

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Technology Square75 Fifth Street N.W., Ste. 1200

Atlanta, GA 30308

Pat Wilson COmmissiOner

404-962-4000

georgia.org

Georgia

“Our low tax burden and economic assets, including a robust workforce and unparalleled connectivity, lead the nation in attracting industry leaders from across the country and around the world.”— Gov. Nathan Deal, commenting on Georgia’s business climate being named No. 1 in the

nation for a fifth consecutive year by Site Selection

Pop. (2017): 10,390,390 Pop. growth 2017–2022: 1.03%Median household income: $52,336 Median age: 36.5Credit Rating: AAA/Stable Right-to-work state: Yes

Gov. Scott (R)

Gov. Deal (R)