Florida's Innovation Benchmark Study - Full Report 6 .18.08

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW Introduction Historically, Florida is a geographically large and innovation efforts and possible tools to accelerate the culturally diverse state. Its economy is built upon momentum. The three combined perspectives agriculture, tourism, retirement services, defense and (in-state snapshot, out-of-state benchmarks the real estate development resulting from each. Over and state benchmarked rankings) are the last 50 years, Florida has transformed from a designed to provide a platform for discussion sparsely populated, southern frontier state, to the by the broader economic development suburbanized melting pot we know today. The next community to begin to build and coalesce 20 to 50 years will continue to provide economic around a long-term strategy designed to challenges and opportunities. How the state, its position Florida as an economic leader in the regions and communities respond to such challenges 21st Century. and opportunities, will determine whether Florida continues to enhance the standard of living of its Florida has made a great deal of progress over the citizens, or whether the quality of life Floridians so past five to ten years building a foundation for an value will begin to decline. emerging 21st Century innovation-based economy. Recent establishment of life science projects through The issues impacting Florida’s future economic state appropriated funding, creation of new programs, development path ...