Broward County means business! Within the past year, new businesses have continued to move here, investing $136.7 million and creating more than one thousand jobs. We are home to 150 diverse corporate headquarters operations. New firms in Broward County include biosciences, technology and progressive energy companies committed to creating sustainability and energy security.
The Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development is one of the first in Florida to develop and implement an international economic development strategy. This has allowed us to create business relationships and partnerships worldwide.
We have conducted economic trade missions to Mexico, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Scotland, Canada, China, India, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Ghana, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Israel.
Broward County is committed to expanding international business, for foreign direct investment, and increased trade activity through coordination and partnerships with public and private organizations in the region, state and nation.
Broward County’s assets are superior. The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport is an expanding international airport with new airlines and passenger service introduced in 2009 and others ready to begin in 2010. Port Everglades is world renowned and now home to the largest cruise ship and cruise terminal in the world. On the cargo side—trade is expanding. This year, ground was broken to pave the way for a new 41-acre marine terminal for containerized cargo. Broward County has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Panama Canal Authority and Manaus, Brazil. We are continuing to position ourselves for new global opportunities as they become available.
We have a fiscally stable County government, which has reduced property tax rates for the past decade. Florida has no personal income tax and was ranked as the 5th best state business tax climate for 2010. We are strategically located at the geographic and business center of South Florida, the seventh largest MSA in the United States, where 47,000 companies enjoy access to the entire region's nearly 5.5 million residents, business support resources and recreational amenities.
Broward County truly is an exceptional place to live with year round warm weather and a wide array of housing options. Our high quality of life, with its seemingly endless number of activities and cultural opportunities, appeals to executives, professionals and the entire workforce.
Please contact the Broward County Office of Economic Development and Small Business to find out the many opportunities that are available for new and existing businesses.
Sincerely,
Ken Keechl
Mayor, Broward County
Posted: 12/31/09