News

Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils Top 4 Finalists in the “Coolest Thing Made in Florida” Competition Which Highlights the Importance of Florida’s Manufacturing Sector

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 12, 2025) — After more than 300,000 votes and three rounds of competition, the Florida Chamber of Commerce today announced the top four finalists in the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Florida contest. From aerospace engineering and orthopedic medical devices to sustainable energy and large-scale mining equipment, these finalists represent the best of Florida manufacturing.  The statewide competition, designed to spotlight the importance, diversity, and strength of Florida’s manufacturing sector, has rallied…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s Prosperity Initiative Doubles Down on its Zip-Code Level Efforts to Replace Generational Childhood Poverty with Pathways to Prosperity and Self-Sufficiency

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 9, 2025) – The Florida Chamber Foundation is expanding its Florida Prosperity Initiative’s efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half and today announces that Heather Cogar has been named the Initiative’s Statewide Director of Community Engagement. Cogar brings years of public and private sector experience and has an extensive background in spearheading initiatives that have provided her with a personal connection to helping Floridians overcome economic hardship.  “Growing up in the…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Lauren Melo In Senate District 28 for the 2026 Election

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (September 9, 2025) — The Florida Chamber of Commerce is once again uniting Florida’s business community for good and today endorsed Lauren Melo for Senate District 28 for the 2026 election. Lauren Melo is a Southwest Florida native who has been a successful businesswoman building up multiple companies over her professional career. Having previously started a trucking company that grew to a fleet of more than a hundred trucks, Melo today owns and…

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Florida Chamber President and CEO Mark Wilson Discusses Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit on WFSU

Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation President & CEO Mark Wilson was recently featured on WFSU’s Capital Report with Tom Flanigan to provide an overview of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit, held August 12 in Tampa. During the interview, Wilson highlighted how Florida is advancing in areas such as technology, manufacturing, and innovation to remain competitive in a global economy. He also emphasized the importance of preparing for future workforce…

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New Florida Chamber Statewide Poll Shows Local Businesses Enjoy Universal Support and Trust in Business is High

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (August 28, 2025) – The latest Florida Chamber statewide poll finds more than 8 out of 10 (85%) of Florida voters have a favorable opinion of local businesses, which are the foundation of our economy. Additionally, 84% of Florida voters trust in business and 79% trust private sector charities and non-profits. Conversely, trust in the media is evenly divided with 48% trusting the media and another 48% having no trust in the media…

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2026 Proposed Workers Comp Rates See Average 6.9 Percent Decrease

Earlier today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce met with the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) to review a proposed 6.9 percent decrease for workers’ compensation insurance rate on new and renewal policies to take effect on January 1, 2026. NCCI files a rate filing on behalf of the majority of Florida’s workers’ comp carriers, and if approved, this decrease will contribute to a cumulative reduction of 78 percent since the reforms the Florida Chamber…

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Innovating Florida Forward: Highlights from the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit Featuring Cathie Wood of ARK Invest and Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly

TAMPA, FL (August 19, 2025) – Hundreds of business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across Florida gathered in Tampa on August 12 for the Florida Chamber Foundation’s annual Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit. The event, keynoted by Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and world-renowned innovator and investor Cathie Wood, Founder, CEO & CIO of ARK Invest, brought together industry visionaries, state officials, college and university presidents, and emerging entrepreneurs to explore…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Emily Duda Buckley In House District 38 for the 2026 Election

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is once again uniting Florida’s business community for good and today endorsed Emily Duda Buckley for House District 38 for the 2026 election. Emily is a local business leader with deep roots in Seminole County, where she has put her personal, family and professional ties in both the agricultural and business community to use making life better for families, local businesses and her community. She is committed to working to…

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AgIntel Wins Inaugural Florida Chamber Foundation Technology and Innovation Summit Innovation Pitch Competition

TAMPA, FL (August 12, 2025) – Agriculture Intelligence (AgIntel) has been named the winner of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s inaugural Florida Innovation Pitch Competition, hosted Tuesday at the 2025 Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit in Tampa. Matt Donovan, CEO and Co-Founder of AgIntel, pitched the company’s agricultural innovation in front of a panel of top venture capital and innovation ecosystem builders. AgIntel’s patented AI-powered platform delivers large-scale crop insights to help farmers optimize yields,…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Releases 2025 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report to Inform Research-Backed, Strategic Decision Making for Florida Leaders

The Florida Chamber Foundation today announced the release of its 2025 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, offering data-informed insights into the trends shaping business decisions across Florida. As businesses navigate economic uncertainty, this mid-year report serves as a compass, grounding decision-making in the latest data and economic analysis. Focusing on what is known about Florida’s economy at the halfway mark of 2025, the 2025 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report offers a comprehensive look at the demographic and…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Dr. Ralph Massullo In Senate District 11 Special Election

The Florida Chamber of Commerce is once again uniting Florida’s business community for good, and today endorsed Dr. Ralph Massullo for the Senate District 11 special election to replace former Senator Blaise Ingoglia as he enters his newly appointed role as Florida Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Massullo is the founder and president of a Lecanto-based dermatology medical practice and has practiced medicine in the area for more than three decades. During his tenure in the…

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Florida’s Economy Ranks #1 in the U.S.—Positioned to Weather Rising Prices

By: Sheridan Morby, Senior Research Economist, Florida Chamber Foundation According to CNBC’s recently released “America’s Top States for Business” rankings, Florida is a Top 3 state for business in 2025 – and boasts the number one economy in the country.  CNBC’s  rankings considered over 130 metrics across 10 categories of competitiveness, and Florida is among the leading states. This year’s ranking placed particular emphasis on a state’s economic climate – and Florida topped the list…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Unveils 2025 How They Voted, Distinguished Advocates, and Legislative Report Card

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 2025 How They Voted publication. A comprehensive review of what passed this legislative session, what didn’t, and what remains unfinished business, How They Voted reveals the Florida Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Report Card, showcasing grades earned by all 159 legislators in the Florida House and Senate based on their votes during the 2025 Legislative Session, and recognizes the Florida Chamber’s Distinguished Advocates. “When the business community unites with the Florida…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Appoints John Doolittle to Lead Health Council; Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet Launches Mental Wellness Institute to Improve Behavioral Health for Workforce, Veterans/First Responders & Youth

The Florida Chamber Leadership Cabinet on Safety, Health, and Sustainability—the Chamber’s entity guiding statewide efforts to improve workplace safety, employee health, and environmental outcomes—has appointed John Doolittle as Director of the Florida Chamber Health Council, one of its three core councils. Within the Health Council, Doolittle will also lead the launch of the newly established Mental Wellness Institute, a business-led initiative focused on improving behavioral health outcomes for Florida’s workforce, veterans and first responders, and…

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Statement from Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation – Florida’s 3rd-Grade Reading Scores Up Two Percentage Points, Now at 57%

“We are encouraged by the increase in Florida’s 3rd grade reading scores, reflecting the hard work of educators, the business community, and students alike. While we celebrate the positive momentum seen in 50 of our 67 school districts, we turn our attention to the nearly 95,000 Florida students who are not yet reading at grade level. I would like to congratulate Franklin County for being the biggest percentage mover, going from 40% to 60% on…

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