News

Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce Announce Top 2 Finalists in 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida Competition

The competition went from manufacturing in all 67 counties down to two. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FloridaCommerce, today announced the Top 2 finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition following statewide voting that began with more than 100 Florida-made products representing manufacturers across all 67 counties. The Top 2 finalists are: Company Product County Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye St. Johns County Arthrex TightRope® PRO Implant Collier…

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New Report Finds Child Care Challenges Are Affecting Indian River County’s Families, Employers and Economic Growth

The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning, in partnership with Childcare Resources of Indian River, released the new Indian River County Early Learning Landscape Analysis and Roadmap examining the childcare challenges facing Indian River County families, early learning providers, educators, and employers. The Florida Business Alliance for Early Learning brings Florida business leaders and community partners together to strengthen early learning and literacy outcomes, build Florida’s future workforce, and advance the Florida…

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Florida Chamber Expands “Free Enterprise Florida” Competitiveness Campaign to Illinois, Names Governor Pritzker a Runner-Up for Florida Economic Developer of the Year

To help America grow our GDP by at least 3% annually, the Florida Chamber of Commerce is expanding its Free Enterprise Florida competitiveness campaign to Illinois, bringing Florida’s economic success story to Illinois with new billboards highlighting the growing gap between Florida and Illinois on population growth, taxable income migration, business relocations, and more. The Chicago area billboards direct viewers to the Free Enterprise Florida website, where visitors can explore a side-by-side comparison of Florida…

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Northwest Florida Businesses, Educators and Community Partners Build Workforce Pipeline Through Promising Practices

Northwest Florida is demonstrating how businesses, educators, and community organizations can work together to strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline and prepare Floridians for the jobs of tomorrow, according to A Look At Creating Regional Talent Solutions: 3 Promising Practices in Northwest Florida, a new case study from the Florida Chamber Foundation and Future of Work Florida. September is Workforce Development Month, and the partnerships highlighted in the case study demonstrate how the Panhandle is putting workforce…

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Florida Chamber Champions Manufacturing in Florida by Announcing Top 4 Finalists in Second Annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida Competition

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FloridaCommerce, today announced the Top 4 finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. After statewide voting narrowed the field from more than 100 Florida-made products representing all 67 counties, four manufacturers remain in the race to earn the title of the 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida. The four finalists represent the innovation and creativity of Florida’s manufacturing industry and have advanced through multiple rounds of…

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Florida’s Third Grade Reading Scores Improve, but 40% of Students Remain Below Grade Level, Florida Chamber Foundation’s New Report Finds

Florida is making progress in third-grade reading proficiency, but four in 10 Florida third graders are still not reading at grade level, underscoring the importance of the state’s future workforce and economy, according to the 2026 State of Third Grade Reading Proficiency in Florida report released today by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning (BAEL). The report finds that 60% of Florida’s third graders are reading at or above grade level, up…

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Florida Chamber Announces Top 8 Products Advancing in 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida Competition

As part of our push to grow Florida into a Top 5 manufacturing state, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FloridaCommerce, today announced the Top 8 products advancing in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. Following thousands of votes and three rounds of competition, the remaining products will continue competing in the statewide tournament celebrating Florida’s manufacturing industry and the innovative products made across the Sunshine State. The competition launched with more than…

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Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business & Economic Mid-Year Report Shows Florida’s Economy Remains Strong as Growth Moderates

The research team at the Florida Chamber Foundation today released its 2026 Florida Business & Economic Mid-Year Report, highlighting that Florida’s $1.8 trillion economy continues to demonstrate resilience and strength despite slowing national and state economic growth. The report examines the data behind today’s rapidly changing economic headlines, helping business leaders and policymakers distinguish long-term trends from short-term market fluctuations and make informed decisions for Florida’s future. “Headlines change every day, but the data tells…

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Florida Chamber Launches “Free Enterprise Florida” Competitiveness Campaign with Times Square Billboard

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of its Free Enterprise Florida competitiveness campaign in Times Square, New York City, bringing Florida’s economic success story development and diversification approach to the heart of America’s push for socialism and government overreach. At a time when America needs a 4% GDP growth, the Times Square billboard will display the campaign’s central message, “Free Enterprise Wins,” directing viewers to FreeEnterpriseFlorida.com to compare Florida’s economic performance and…

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Florida Chamber and FloridaCommerce Announce Top 16 Products Advancing in Second Annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida Competition

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FloridaCommerce, today announced the Top 16 products advancing in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. After thousands of votes and two rounds of competition, the remaining products will continue competing in the statewide tournament celebrating Florida’s manufacturing industry, the innovative products made across the Sunshine State, and the high-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry. Following an enthusiastic public voting period, the competition launched with…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Ashley Moody for U.S. Senate

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Ashley Moody to remain as Florida’s United States Senator. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Ashley Moody to continue championing Florida by serving as Florida’s United States Senator,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. “As Senator, Ashley has led from the front on cutting taxes, reducing burdensome regulations, and creating the kind of economic environment where Florida’s local businesses can…

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Florida Chamber Foundation Early Learning Report Finds More Than Half of Florida’s Youngest Learners Start Kindergarten Already Behind

Today, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Business Alliance for Early Learning (BAEL) released its 2025-2026 Kindergarten Readiness Report, finding that  44% of Florida children entered kindergarten ready to learn in fall 2025, meaning more than half of Florida’s youngest learners are starting school already behind. The highest kindergarten readiness is in Pinellas County at 53%, and the lowest kindergarten readiness is in Jefferson County at 13%. The report highlights why kindergarten readiness is a vital economic…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces Endorsement of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Commissioner Wilton Simpson for re-election as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce fully endorses Wilton Simpson to continue serving as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. “As Commissioner, Wilton Simpson has been a champion for Florida’s vital agricultural community and for supporting Florida farmers and consumers alike. A…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce Announce Top 32 Finalists in 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Florida Competition

Following a statewide public vote that showcased the strength and innovation of Florida’s manufacturing industry, the Florida Chamber of Commerce and FloridaCommerce today announced the Top 32 products advancing in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition. The Top 32 finalists emerged from 100 products representing manufacturers in all 67 Florida counties. The bracket-style competition celebrates the products, companies, and workers driving economic growth while highlighting the important role manufacturing plays in Florida’s…

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Florida Chamber of Commerce Announces Endorsement of CFO Blaise Ingoglia

Today, the Florida Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of Blaise Ingoglia to continue serving as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. “The Florida Chamber of Commerce is ‘all in’ for Blaise Ingoglia to continue serving as Florida’s Chief Financial Officer,” said Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson. “Both as a legislator and as Florida’s CFO for the past year, Blaise has fought side by side with the Florida Chamber of Commerce to help…

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