Reviving the River of Grass

This South Florida Water Management District Web site details the information gathered thus far in the deal with U.S. Sugar.

http://my.sfwmd.gov/portal/page?_pageid=2814,21528603&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Florida ranks 4th best state for business

From the Tallahassee Democrat:

Florida ranks 4th among best business climates

DEMOCRAT STAFF REPORT

Florida ranked fourth among the nation's best business climates, according to a new survey of U.S. corporate executives released Monday.

Conducted by Development Counsellors International every three years, the "Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing" survey has tracked trends in economic development since its inception in 1996.

Florida was identified by 15.2 percent of the 281 respondents to the 2008 survey as having the most favorable business climate. Texas ranked first with 40.8 percent, North Carolina was second with 30.4 percent and Georgia was third with 20.4 percent. Tennessee tied Florida for fourth place with 15.2 percent and Nevada rounded out the top five with 14.1 percent.

Florida ranked fourth in a similar survey conducted in 2002, but dropped out of the top five states in the 2005 survey.

When asked why they selected the states they did as being best for business, the corporate executives frequently cited three factors: a strong labor market, low operating costs and a pro-business climate.

The poll named California, New York and Michigan as the U.S. states with the least favorable business climates. China, India and Mexico were selected as the top countries outside the U.S. for investment.

"With the battle for business more intense than ever, states and their economic development organizations need to pay close attention to the results of this survey," said DCI President Andrew T. Levine. "Whether accurate or misguided, perceptions about a location's business climate often play a crucial role in site selection decisions and where companies invest money and create jobs."

For a free copy of the full "Winning Strategies" survey report or an executive summary, visit www.aboutdci.com/winningstrategies.aspx.