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 competitiveness with New York’s.

The competitiveness campaign highlights Florida’s long-standing commitment to free enterprise, economic competitiveness, and private-sector growth while directing visitors to learn more about why businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, and families continue choosing Florida.

“Florida now has more people than New York, yet New York’s budget is more than twice the size of Florida’s. New York’s budget, with its push for higher taxes and much more government control, no wonder people are leaving,” said Mark Wilson, President & CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. “To be clear, New York has incredible people and companies who want a chance to grow, and I believe they deserve that chance. Government doesn’t create innovation or jobs — the private sector does.” 

The competitiveness campaign also highlights how businesses, investment and talent continue moving to Florida as employers seek a competitive business climate that rewards innovation, investment, and certainty.

The website will include a side-by-side comparison of Florida and New York across key economic indicators, for example:

• Florida’s net migration of 551 people per day, compared to New York’s loss of 115.
• Florida’s debt per capita is the lowest in America at under $1,000, while New York’s exceeds $6,500.
• New York’s state budget is over double Florida’s, and New York City’s budget alone is over $8 billion higher than Florida’s.
• New York’s median rent is 34% higher than Florida’s, and the median price of a home is 63% higher than in Florida.
• Florida ranks #1 in new business start-ups, and New York ranks #4.
• Per the latest IRS data, every hour, $2.4 million in net income moved into Florida, and $1.1 million left New York.

“Competition makes everyone better,” Wilson said. “States compete for jobs, talent, and investment just like businesses compete for customers. Florida has built an economic environment where entrepreneurs can succeed, employers can grow, and workers can build rewarding careers the rewarding career of their dreams.”

The launch of the competitiveness campaign in Times Square is expected to reach decision makers in New York and elsewhere. The competitiveness campaign will reinforce Florida’s position as one of the nation’s world’s leading destinations for business growth, entrepreneurship, and investment.

Guided by the Florida 2030 Blueprint, the Florida Chamber continues working to strengthen Florida’s competitiveness and position the state as a top-10 global economy by 2030.

For more information about the Free Enterprise competitiveness campaign, to explore why companies are selecting Florida, and the economic comparison between Florida and New York, visit FreeEnterpriseFlorida.com.