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Freedom and Economic Development

Thanksgiving in Florida 

One could argue the United States has been a great location for economic development. It must be, since millions of people have always come from other countries to start a new life. This of course, includes starting a new job or business. We can look back to the Mayflower this Thanksgiving season to find an example of this travel to America to obtain freedom and the desire to have more control over one’s destiny. The United States has become the most powerful, influential and prosperous country in the world. We have also been the most free.

Fair, Free and Democratic Elections

Can Economic Development Survive without them?

We are in the midst of our national election. As American citizens, we have the right and the privilege to vote. We need to feel confident our process is fair. Our freedoms are most evident when we exercise our right to vote. Our country is based on a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Economic development depends on these freedoms. There are plenty of examples where lack of fair and free elections prohibit freedom and economic development.
 

Is the U.S. Seeing a Manufacturing Renaissance?

October is Manufacturing Month. In that light, let’s take a look at how manufacturing is doing in the United States, Florida and Okaloosa County.

In 2018, 264,000 new manufacturing jobs were added in the U.S. This represents the highest number of new workers since 1988. As a percentage of total workforce, manufacturing rose for the first time since 1984.

Manufacturers in the U.S. added 499,000 jobs from November of 2016 to May of 2019, expanding by 4.0%.

Socialism and Economic Development

How does that work?
 
There has been a lot of talk in the news about Socialism. In May of 2019, Gallup released poll results showing 43% of Americans think Socialism would be a good thing.

This seems to show that Americans don’t understand what Socialism really is. You can’t have a free market and state controlled production and property.

Censorship, the Cancel-Culture & Economic Development

Censorship, the Cancel-Culture & Economic Development
Just the Facts.

In 2019 Amazon wanted to build a headquarters in New York. They would have received an estimated $3 billion in incentives in return for creating at least 25,000 jobs, an Amazon-sponsored employment center and workforce development program focused on technology training and local recruitment, including for those living in the Queensbridge public housing project, and neighborhood improvements such as a 3.5-acre park and waterfront esplanade.

Businesses Leaving Riot-Torn Cities Is a Man-Made Disaster

Quality of Life and Economic Prosperity Will Take a Long Time to Recover

A company that has been in Minneapolis for 80 years is leaving that city. Businesses in Seattle are moving to Idaho and Arizona or at least out of the area to other parts of Washington State.

For many years now, people and businesses have been leaving California in droves. This has been in large part due to government policies, such as onerous tax burdens. The Nevada real estate market has been a testament to this exodus.  Today the Phoenix, Arizona real estate market is booming as is the Boise market.

Will Coronavirus Impact a Company’s Future Relocation?

Not all states have handled this pandemic the same way. Not all states were affected the same way. Georgia “opened up” earlier than most, as did Colorado. One governor is a Democrat and one is Republican, so it isn’t just politics. Some states have had very strict rules and others have been less restrictive.

It is obvious the U.S. economy has been devastated by the shutting down of business. Most leaders probably did the best they could with the information available. Some leaders have been criticized for going too far. Will governors look back at how they managed their state during this time and match their policies to the rate of economic recovery? 

American Independence from China

A New Industrial Revolution?
 
Last month I wrote about our dependence on China for 80 percent of our antibiotics.

I made the case the United States should have health and medical independence. We can’t remain in such a vulnerable position. We now have energy independence. We were totally dependent on OPEC countries and Russia. Both energy and health are national security issues, economic issues and should be economic development priorities.

Declaration of Independence

American Independence Should Be Economic Development Priority

Similar to how the 911 attacks showed us the inadequacies of screening for terrorists, especially on airplanes, the Coronavirus Pandemic shows weaknesses in our preparedness to combat other threats.

I’m not talking about blame, panic and unreasonable, hysterical political attacks. I refer to our dependence on foreign countries for our basic needs.

Marketing and Customer Service are Also Economic Development

Visit Florida has been in the news again because there are legislators wanting to eliminate it or cut funding - again. Last year the budget was cut from $76 million to $50 million and again, some ranking members of the Legislature are questioning the value of marketing Florida as a place to visit and do business. All too familiar, we have been down this road before with both VISIT Florida and Enterprise Florida.