Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
With a message from Governor Crist about the new stimulus package and how the fund will help Florida businesses recover and generate new employment.
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January 6, 2009
Dear Friend,
Today I had the pleasure of meeting with economic development organization leaders to discuss my Economic Stimulus Plan targeting small businesses, a proposal that will help Florida’s small businesses expand and reach their fullest potential. The result will be new jobs and a stronger economy for current and future generations of Floridians. Now more than ever, our Florida businesses need the resources to grow. By helping them build their futures now with a modest investment of taxpayer dollars, we can plant the seeds that our homegrown businesses need to flourish.
This two-pronged Economic Stimulus Plan would require a state investment of no more than $10 million. A loan program of $8.5 million would support companies with between 10 and 99 employees that demonstrate high potential for growth and expansion. The loans, up to $250,000 per business, would help these companies purchase new capital, train existing employees, and hire new workers. In addition, my plan calls for $1.5 million for economic stimulus. This economic infrastructure will assist small businesses so they can grow and prosper.
Already, we provide support and incentives for new startup businesses and for larger companies in specific sectors that are considering relocation to Florida. We will continue to work to help new businesses form, and to recruit companies here to Florida. But we also have small businesses right here in Florida that are ready to expand and create new jobs. They just need a little push, a little help. I believe government should provide that push so that small businesses can expand now, creating new jobs even during these challenging economic times.
Research and data have proven the wisdom of focusing on the expansion of small, existing businesses. Businesses of this size have the highest potential for growth and new jobs creation. Between 2005 and 2007, just eight percent all Florida establishments were companies with 10 to 99 employees. Yet those companies created nearly 36 percent of the new jobs during that period. These are significant, impressive numbers that illustrate the wisdom in adding this plan to our economic development strategies such as Accelerate Florida.
Florida is feeling the effects of the economic adjustments that are impacting the nation, and we must continue to explore pioneering and smart avenues to strengthen our economy. These challenging economic conditions require us to join together, and with multiple approaches, to aggressively focus available resources on activities that keep Floridians employed and move our economy forward. By making this conservative investment in our small businesses, we can make a dramatic and positive impact on Florida’s economy and your quality of life for decades to come.
May God continue to bless the great state of Florida and her people in the coming year.
Photo Caption: Governor Charlie Crist and Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp discuss the Governor's Economic Stimulus Plan for small businesses with members of the Florida Economic Development Council during a Tallahassee Tuesday visit at the Governor's Mansion.
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Thank you and God bless. It is a privilege and honor to serve you as Governor.
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Evelyn out.
