The Great Recession and housing bust prompted Florida promoters to realize they could no longer rely on climate and low taxes to foster growth. And they decided that Florida's economic triad — agriculture, construction and tourism — is not enough to employ all those who want to come to the state.
"The Florida you knew three years ago is gone, and it's not coming back," said Bob Swindell, CEO of the GreaterFort Lauderdale Alliance, which tries to draw businesses to the region. "Our challenge is to create high-skilled jobs to accommodate people who want to move to Florida."
The strategy means going beyond "a retirement mentality of people coming to Florida for the quality of life," he said. "You also need employment opportunities."
"The Florida you knew three years ago is gone, and it's not coming back," said Bob Swindell, CEO of the GreaterFort Lauderdale Alliance, which tries to draw businesses to the region. "Our challenge is to create high-skilled jobs to accommodate people who want to move to Florida."
The strategy means going beyond "a retirement mentality of people coming to Florida for the quality of life," he said. "You also need employment opportunities."
![Dr. W. H. Cotton’s ode: “Oh, My Lake Worth, Florida!” [circa 1920].](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUL75cv6zJQFjX15ojOIIz9AjnbqH4asHJTYSDhnGnYr7rJZRha1NcNTirj2xPcId158vkz5Hw-wXgOfrlztj8Zr8jLFFCfuEN6PyV44ZlpMRmJ68xbtFL9vzxNiG7xDs_HJvm/s1600/LakeWorthPioneers.JPG)
