Florida Chamber Foundation Releases New Report Measuring State’s Progress Toward Top 10 Global Economy Target
Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report Assesses Purpose and Focus Needed to Reach the Goal
The Florida Chamber Foundation today released the Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report, offering a comprehensive assessment of Florida’s progress toward becoming a Top 10 global economy by 2030 and outlining the priorities needed to ensure long-term prosperity for all Floridians.
Launched in 2018, the Florida 2030 Blueprint established 39 measurable goals focused on economic growth, workforce readiness, and improved quality of life. The new report finds Florida making meaningful progress despite significant global and national challenges since the launch of the Blueprint.
“The Florida 2030 Blueprint was never about short-term wins; it was about building a long-term economic game plan,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Foundation. “The Florida Chamber Foundation’s analysis shows Florida competing and winning, but it also tells us exactly where we must double down to ensure every Floridian has the opportunity to benefit from our growing economy.”
According to the report, Florida has already achieved two Blueprint goals ahead of schedule, is on track to meet eight more, and is making strong progress toward 14 additional benchmarks.
Florida’s economy continues to expand at a rapid pace. Florida is now the fourth-largest economy in the United States and ranks 15th globally. According to the most recent data, Florida ranks first nationally in net migration of residents and income from other states, out-of-state visitors, and corporate relocations. Florida has also already met its 2030 targets to be the nation’s top state for business startups and overall brand reputation as the best place to live, work, and compete.
The report also highlights measurable improvements affecting families and communities. Since the launch of the Florida 2030 Blueprint, the number of children living in poverty has declined by 158,000. This is movement in the right direction toward cutting Florida childhood poverty in half, a 2030 goal led by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative. However, data show that more than half of children experiencing poverty live in just 15% of Florida ZIP codes, underscoring the need for targeted solutions (that’s 152 of Florida’s 983 Zip Codes).
Dr. Keith Richard, Vice President of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation, said the Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report analysis is designed to help leaders align around data-driven action.
“What makes the Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report unique is accountability through data, Dr. Richard said. “The Halftime Report gives leaders an honest scoreboard, highlighting meaningful progress while identifying the specific actions and investments needed to achieve our 39 goals by 2030.”
Business and civic leaders surveyed for the report identified housing affordability as the single greatest risk to achieving the Florida 2030 Blueprint vision, followed by workforce development challenges and concerns about rising business costs. Leaders also emphasized the need to expand transportation, energy, and water infrastructure while ensuring rural communities benefit from continued economic growth.
A special thank you to our Florida 2030 Blueprint Task Force Members:
- Doug Davidson, Bank of America (Chair)
- Stacy Baier, Helios Education Foundation*
- Stacey Brandt, Tampa General Hospital
- Greg Britton, Florida SBDC
- Kevin Carr, FloridaMakes
- Bryan Griffin, Visit Florida
- Linda Hague, Wells Fargo Bank*
- Dan Hurtado, Florida Transportation Builders Association
- Adrienne Johnston, CareerSource Florida*
- Secretary Alex Kelly, FloridaCommerce
- Don Kiselewski, Florida Power & Light*
- Rob Long, Space Florida
- Jason Mahon, FloridaCommerce
- Marty McAndrew, Fifth Third Bank*
- Karen Moore, The Moore Agency*
- David Odahowski, Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation*
- Todd Powell, Weyerhauser
- Paul Sohl, Florida High Tech Corridor
- Marlene Spalten, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay*
- Bob Swindell, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
*Indicates they are a Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partner
The Florida Chamber Foundation also notes that long-term success will depend heavily on improving early learning and education outcomes, including ensuring children enter kindergarten ready to learn, read at grade level by third grade, and demonstrate math and reading proficiency by eighth grade.
“Florida has momentum, and the Halftime Report is proof that the Florida 2030 Blueprint is working,” Wilson said. “The focus now is for us to concentrate resources and solutions on remaining gaps so we can turn progress into lasting prosperity across Florida.”
Click here for the full Florida 2030 Blueprint Halftime Report.