Florida is a great place to do business, and that’s no idle boast. Widely recognized publications and think tanks consistently place this state among the nation’s best for businesses and entrepreneurs looking to relocate and thrive.
1st Best Tax Climate in the Southeast
taxfoundation.org
1st Fastest Growht of Women Owned Busineses
2018 american express
2nd Best State for Business
Chief Executive magazine
4th Best Tax Climate Nationwide
taxfoundation.org
6th Best State to Start a Business
WalletHub.com
In 2019, TaxFoundation.org ranked Florida’s tax climate No. 1 in the Southeast and No. 4 nationwide for the fourth year in a row, while Chief Executive magazine named Florida the No. 2 Best State for Business for the eighth consecutive year. And in a recent study of “Best States to Start a Business,” the website WalletHub tagged Florida as No. 6, citing its average growth in the number of new businesses and startups per capita as particular assets.
More good news: Women entrepreneurs are especially likely to prosper in Florida. According to the 2018 American Express “State of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” Florida ranks No. 1 for fastest growth of women-owned businesses — 58% since 2007 compared to 12% nationwide. Additionally, in its 2018 ranking of the 10 best metro areas for women to start a business, the website Business.org singled out Tampa Bay (No. 1), Greater Orlando (No. 4) and Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Palm Beach (No. 10).
Florida has worked hard to earn these accolades and to establish its position as an economic development powerhouse. No doubt, you already know this state as America’s best vacation destination. Now get to know the business advantages that make it the next right place to grow your company’s future:
BUSINESS-FRIENDLY Government
Florida’s government and economic development leaders are continually at work to ensure that this state’s business climate remains favorable to companies of all sizes and configuration — from multinational corporate headquarters with hundreds of employees to business startups with just two or three. To that end, thousands of burdensome regulations have been cut across the board.
BUSINESS-FRIENDLY Tax Structure
Business dollars simply go further in Florida for two reasons: low corporate taxes and zero personal income tax. In addition, a history of responsible spending decisions over many years has helped Florida earn the highest available bond rating — AAA — and as a result, businesses thrive here and so do employees who pay no personal income tax on their earnings.
BUSINESS-FRIENDLY Permitting
Regulatory agencies and local governments across Florida stand ready to provide quicker, less costly and more predictable permitting processes, helping to fuel an atmosphere of certainty, predictability and efficiency from the top down.
With a wealth of people and resources at the ready, business owners in Florida never have to go it alone. Opportunities available for collaboration include: one-on-one counseling at more than 40 Small Business Development Centers; low-cost space and business services at dozens of high-tech incubators, accelerators and university-based research parks; customized workforce training; and ready access to funding through venture capital companies, financial institutions and federal and state programs.
