Business groups start planning for Florida’s economic ‘RESET’

Business and trade associations across the state are teaming up to create a task force to plot out Florida’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The Restore Economic Strength through Employment & Tourism (RESET) task force will devise policy recommendations and initiatives to aid in the economic rebound.

Associated Industries of Florida Senior Vice President of State & Federal Affairs Brewster Bevis, Florida Retail Federation President & CEO Scott Shalley, NFIB Executive Director Bill Herrle and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association President & CEO Carol Dover comprise the task force’s leadership.

“When the time is right, Florida will return to business and we will happily witness restaurants full of patrons and our tourist attractions bustling with visitors,” Bevis said.

“But while we all wait for the right time to return, we wanted to bring together association interests from all sectors of business to discuss ways we can collectively help Florida’s economy safely restart and also serve as a resource to lawmakers and the state on initiatives and important policy changes that are needed to spur recovery post-pandemic.

“From health care to retail, manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, agriculture, builders, general commerce and our most treasured tourist attractions – the forward thinkers and dedicated Floridians that will make up this task force are ready to help.”

Shalley added, “We have seen the good that can come from Floridians, and all Americans really, rolling up their sleeves and working together for a cause. This task force will now bring together the brightest minds in business, retail, tourism, and trade to help offer ideas and solutions for what will continue to be new territory for the Sunshine State.”

The RESET agenda also includes preparing recommendations to boost resiliency for the next pandemic or another event similarly disastrous to the economy.

RESET’s membership includes representatives from many business and trade associations as well as the health care associations who have served on the frontline of the pandemic.

“The Florida Council of 100 is proud to be a part of this significant effort,” Council President & CEO Bob Ward said.

“COVID-19 as a disaster was unprecedented in the speed that it impacted the seventeenth-largest economy in the world.  Florida was prepared to meet and react to the next big storm but a pandemic by nature acts differently and recovery can only come once the health care crisis passes.

“That left us in the eye of the storm for months so far, and we are all learning along the way. That’s why this work is critical so we can put our collective wisdom and experiences together on lessons learned.”

A full list of task force members:

— Airlines for America

— American Property & Casualty Insurance Assn.

— Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida

— Associated Builders & Contractors of Florida

— Associated Industries of Florida

— Consumer Energy Alliance

— Florida Association of Counties

— Florida Association of Health Plans

— Florida Bankers Association

— Florida Beverage Association

— Florida Carpenters Regional Council

— Florida Council of 100

— Florida Farm Bureau

— Florida Health Care Association

— Florida Home Builders Association

— Florida Hospital Association

— Florida Insurance Council

— Florida Internet & Television

— Florida League of Cities

— Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Assn.

— Florida Nonprofit Alliance

— Florida Petroleum Council

— Florida Ports Council

— Florida Realtors

— Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association

— Florida Retail Federation

— Florida Transportation Builders Association

— Florida Trucking Association

— Independent Colleges & Universities of Florida

— International Council of Shopping Centers

— National Federation of Independent Business