I f we accounted for all the numeric evidence that Florida is a hot spot for logistics and distribution, we would be clicking off numbers faster than an Orlando theme park turnstile. Here are just a few key figures: 0 That’s what Floridians pay in personal income taxes. Yes, zero. Florida does not depend on income taxes for its state government revenue. Likewise, the Sunshine State has a long history of keeping regulatory requirements and business taxes low, which is good news not only for logistics operations, manufacturers, and the businesses they serve, but also for the individual residents they employ. 1 Partly due to the above—but only partly, because there are so many more reasons to cite—Florida is the number 1 state in the nation for attracting and developing skilled workers. And there’s no need to take state cheerleaders’ word for it (though the cheerleaders are legion). The declaration of Florida’s premier skilled workforce is made by Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics. 15 If Florida were a country, its $1.3-trillion market would rank it as the 15th largest economy in the world. If you’re looking for a yardstick, consider this: That’s more than three times the market of the United Arab Emirates ($415 billion). Long a premier logistics location, Florida has set its sights on growing its already enviable place in the global economy. The state’s logistics assets, including deep-water seaports like Port Everglades, lead the way.
August 2023 • Inbound Logistics 51
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