Business Community Open to Rick Scott Creating Commerce Department

With reports out that Gov. Rick Scott is contemplating creating a state department of commerce, leaders from the business community said on Thursday they were open to the proposal.

By establishing a new department of commerce to orchestrate all of Floridas business development activities, we can better coordinate efforts and harness the collective strengths of each entity responsible for facilitating employment opportunities in the Sunshine State, said Barney Bishop, president and CEO of the Associated Industries of Florida (AIF). The fact that Gov. Scott will be so engaged in this new agency, to the point where it will be elevated to plaza level status, is more than encouraging. Its the promise of a new day when Floridians arent looking for work, but actually getting to work.

We thank the governor for his focus on being Floridas chief economic development officer and thank him for taking the time to personally market the state of Florida to companies across the globe, added Bishop. The business community and AIFs members look forward to working with Gov. Scott and the Florida Legislature on this proposal.

Sign up for news alerts from Sunshine State News