A.G. Gancarski
Count Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry as one of the supporters of Rick Scott‘s effort to create a create a quarter billion dollar fund that the governor can use to lure companies to the Sunshine State.
On Monday, following in the footsteps of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Curry’s office issued a news release expressing his support for the Enterprise Florida fund.
“I support the Enterprise Florida reforms proposed by Governor Scott,” said Curry. “Opportunities in Florida bring great potential to growing economic development and subsequently Jacksonville. Through these reforms, I look forward to the resources Enterprise Florida will create, placing Jacksonville as one of the nation’s most desirable areas for businesses and families as a result of strong job and economic growth.”
Scott has said the Florida Enterprise Fund would allow Florida to compete against other states trying to land manufacturers and other companies. He announced the proposal last month during a meeting of the state’s economic development agency.
Shortly after his inauguration, Curry joined Scott and Jaguars owner Shahid Khan at an Enterprise Florida event in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Curry’s remarks were a bit less specific than those of Buckhorn earlier in the day.
“Enterprise Florida is a valuable resource to Tampa and their efforts have paid off for our city through the creation of well-paying jobs brought by respected employers such as Johnson & Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, Ashley Furniture and others,” Buckhorn said in a prepared statement. “The strong partnerships between Enterprise Florida, the City of Tampa, and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation are key factors in how Tampa continues to lead the state in job creation.”
Scott’s push comes while the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature has grown skeptical over the need to spend more on business incentives.
A Senate panel last month grilled the head of Enterprise Florida over the issue. Scott asked the Florida Legislature for $85 million this year to use for business incentives, but legislators set aside only about half that amount.
Scott is also proposing that legislative leaders have a final say on any business projects in excess of $1 million.
Material from The Associated Press was used in this post.
