Since the state was established Florida’s economy has revolved around growth.
More tourists. More homebuyers. More businesses.
Now some Florida leaders are considering how to create jobs not by recruiting new businesses to the state but by nurturing businesses already here. This week on Intersection 90.7′s Mark Simpson talks with an expert panel about a new economic development concept called economic gardening.
Fran Korosec oversees day-to-day operations at the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida. Dale Brill is president of the Florida Chamber Foundation and former director of the Florida Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, now part of the state Department of Economic Opportunity.
Economic gardening doesn’t replace Florida’s long strategy of recruitment but is a lower-cost compliment, they say.
“It was very difficult to suggest that we would go for this sort of homegrown and this nurturing concept,” Brill says. “That is in sharp contrast to a recruitment strategy. But it was a significant shift.”
Also Simpson talks with Flora Maria Garcia, new president and chief executive officer of United Arts of Central Florida.
Do you think economic gardening makes sense? Intersection airs Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. The show is rebroadcast Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Or listen online and then share your perspective here on Florida Talks.
Filed under: Intersection, WMFE
