Florida is moving in the right direction and our state’s transportation system is making a significant impact. The additional improvements that have been made in our airports, seaports, intermodal systems, and roads will improve Florida’s competitiveness and will help Florida diversify its economy, create more high-wage jobs, and prepare for future growth in population, tourism, trade, and business activity. In fact, Florida has more than 500,000 jobs in transportation, trade, and logistics – which pay 30 percent more than the statewide average!
Consider the facts:
- Florida annually moves 106.4 million tons of cargo through its 15 deep-water ports.
- Florida moves more than 98 million tons of freight on its more than 2,700 miles of rail lines annually.
- Florida’s state highway system is used for more than 103.9 billion miles of vehicle travel annually.
- Florida has 15,357 companies involved in Transportation and Warehousing – number four in the U.S. These establishments employ 224,958 Floridians. The average salary for these jobs is $47,788.
- Florida has 42,129 companies in the Wholesale Trade sector – number 3 in the U.S., employing 326,776 people in Florida. The average salary for these jobs is $64,272.
Florida’s transportation network is an important part of all Floridians’ daily lives, and is a large employer in our state. More importantly, this network will be the foundation of Florida’s future opportunities that are outlined in Made for Trade: Florida Trade and Logistics Study 2.0 by the Florida Chamber Foundation.
“As we look at the trends in Florida transportation and the pressures of increasing numbers of population, trade, and visitors, we must focus our efforts on delivering solutions that not only improve the business climate of Florida, but also the quality of life and quality of Florida’s communities,” said Joe Debs, Executive V.P. and Chief Marketing Officer of RS&H, an award-winning Jacksonville transportation architecture, engineering and planning firm.
As Florida continues improving its infrastructure, workforce training, and other preparations to become a more significant global trade hub, what path will Florida take? At the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2015 Transportation Summit you will hear Jim Boxold, the newly-appointed Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary, share his overview of Florida’s transportation system and its role to help secure Florida’s future.
Join Us:
Join FDOT Secretary Jim Boxold at the Florida Chamber’s Transportation Summit on January 29 at Honey Lake Plantation in Greenville, Florida. Download the full agenda and be sure to register here.
Share Your Story:
Does your community face a pressing infrastructure need? Share your story with us by contacting the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Chief Economist Jerry Parrish at jparrish@flfoundation.org.