The Washington
Economics Group, Inc.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2002
FLORIDA ECONOMY POISED FOR RECOVERY
Coral Gables, Florida
- The Florida economy has demonstrated significant resiliency
and has started to recover from the twin externally produced
shocks of a global recession and the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, according to former U.S. Under Secretary
of Commerce for Economic Affairs, Tony Villamil. Mr. Villamil
is currently chief executive officer of The Washington Economics
Group, and chairman of Governor Jeb Bush Council of Economic
Advisors.
Speaking to CEOs of top
Florida corporations at the Annual Meeting of the Florida
Council of 100 in Naples, the noted economist stressed that
Florida's fundamentally sound economy is due primarily to
a number of critical factors. Among these factors are:
- An improving business climate under
Governor Jeb Bush, including tax relief, streamlining
of regulations and emphasis since 1999 on educational
system improvements, workforce development and investments
in "smart" infrastructure that link producers
with the end-use marketplace.
"There is a no-nonsense and pro-economic
development Chief Executive in Tallahassee. This creates
growing confidence in the future of the State," Villamil
said to the Florida executives gathered at the meeting.
- Florida has become increasingly
diversified over the past years, according to Villamil.
The growth of a diversified economic base includes the
expansion of a wide range of knowledge-based services,
defense-related activities and high technology manufacturing,
among other "new economy" industries.
- A final critical factor in creating
a large and more resilient Florida economy is the birth
of new economic regions of the State. The North Florida
region, Villamil stated, is expanding strongly, while
Southwest Florida shows growing economic muscle. "In
essence, we are not as dependent on one or two economic
regions of the State as in the past," Villamil reasoned.
In conclusion, according
to the well-known economist, "Florida is poised to
resume strong economic expansion as the U.S. and global
economies recover from the recent recession."
The Washington Economics Group, Inc.
(WEG) is based in Coral Gables, Florida since 1993. WEG
is an economic consulting firm, with a growing professional
speaking and corporate training practice.
For more information contact via e-mail:
Mevillamil@weg.com
or at 305-461-3811
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