Gray Swoope, who headed up the Mississippi Development Agency under Gov. Haley Barbour, was named on Monday to head Enterprise Florida.
Bringing new energy and expertise to Floridas economic development activities is an ideal task for which Gray Swoope is well suited, Gov. Rick Scott said.I am excited to have him leading the job creation and economic development mission in Florida.
Enterprise Florida is a public-private partnership between the state government and business and looks to promote economic development across the Sunshine State.
While Swoope is new to Florida, he is a veteran at handling economic development matters. The incoming president of Enterprise Florida tackled many of the same issues in Mississippi, helping to lure such businesses as Toyota and GE Aviation to the Magnolia State during his tenure there. During his years with the Mississippi Development Agency, Swoope worked building and maintaining private-public partnerships.
Barbour, whose name has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, offered strong words of praise for Swoope.
"Gray Swoope has done a tremendous job for Mississippi over the last seven years, first as deputy, then as director of the Mississippi Development Authority, Barbour said on Monday. Not only is he a professional, but also he leaves behind a very professional organization. He and the Mississippi Development Authority have led the way in creating thousands of high-paying jobs, and our citizens will benefit from his effort for decades to come.
"Gray will now be the head of economic development for a state eight times the size of Mississippi, and he deserves that opportunity, added Barbour. Florida's gain is our loss."
Leaders from Floridas business community also offered words of praise for Swoope.
"The hiring of Gray Swoope is encouraging news for Florida's taxpayers, employers, and job seekers, said Marshall Criser, chairman of the board of trustees for Florida TaxWatch. As president of Enterprise Florida, Mr. Swoope will be the one point person coordinating the leading agencies responsible for Governor Rick Scott's No. 1 agenda item -- job creation. Swoope brings 25 years of economic development experience to the position and a strong track record of job retention and recruitment through his work in Mississippi. We welcome Gray Swoope to Florida and we are excited about working with him."
Crisers praise was mirrored by Dominic Calabro, the president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch:
"Florida TaxWatch looks forward to working with Gray Swoope as he assumes the critically important role of president of Enterprise Florida, said Calabro.As the world's 20th largest economy, Florida must constantly improve its competitiveness in order to keep employers here and attract new ones.Mr. Swoope understands the kind of economic diversification Florida needs to grow our economy and get Floridians back to work."
Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said, As Floridas business and community leaders focus on returning Florida to the No. 1 state for private-sector job creation and innovation, Governor Rick Scotts selection of Gray Swoope, one of the nations leading economic development professionals, is a big win for Floridians and a perfect fit for Floridas future.
"For more than two decades, Florida has been competing against top-level economic developers like Gray Swoope. His experience, combined with the restructuring of Floridas economic development system, and Governor Scotts pro-jobs budget recommendations, will send an international message that Florida is again on the move," said Wilson. "... Grays experience, along with the consolidation and streamlining of the states economic development system, will jump-start the targeted high-wage industries in clean technology, life sciences, information technology, aviation and aerospace, homeland security and defense, financial and professional services, and trade and logistics.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
