What will Florida look like with 5 million more residents? What about when 25% of all miles driven are by an autonomous vehicle? Or when nearly one out of every four Floridians is over the age of 65?
Those were some of the questions and issues discussed at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Future of Florida Forum in Orlando this week. Chamber leaders unveiled the Florida 2030 Key Targets and Strateges report, which includes information about where Florida stands right now and where it need to be by the year 2030.
“To secure Florida’s future, we must continue to work together to identify the challenges and solutions that Florida faces and ensure that we are putting long-term solutions over short-term fixes,” said Tony Carvajal, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation. “To make sure that Florida’s future is marked by global competitiveness, prosperity and vibrant and resilient communities, we need bold targets, thoughtful strategies and a commitment to action. Florida 2030 is the strategic blueprint that can help us achieve Florida’s potential.”
The research organizes findings into six pillars that are essential to Florida’s ultimate future down the road.. Speakers at the Forum also highlighted the fact that Florida needs to continue to diversify its economy so that we have more than just tourism and a service-based economy.
Several elected officials and candidates also appeared at the Forum, including Governor Rick Scott, Congressman Ron DeSantis and his running mate Rep. Jeanette Núñez, CFO Jimmy Patronis, Rep. Matt Caldwell, and many others.
The Chamber announced a number of key endorsements this week in Orlando, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis and Republican attorney general candidate Ashley Moody. Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson also presented Governor Scott and his wife with the “Spirit of Free Enterprise” award, recognizing his efforts over the past eight years to lower Florida’s unemployment rate and bring economic growth to the state.
With less than 40 days before Election Day, the campaigns on both sides of the aisle will certainly be fighting to share their vision and message with Florida voters, and the Florida 2030 research certainly provides a foundation for elected officials to consider the issues that need to be addressed for Florida to continue prospering for the next decade and beyond.
You can view the full findings and related materials at Florida2030.org.
