Blueprint for an Innovation Economy in Florida Research as Economic Foundation | Page 20

CONCLUSIONS
As the third-largest state in the United States,
Florida enjoys a critical mass of companies
operating in close proximity to the world’s
technology frontiers. As a result, we have
a unique opportunity not available to many
other states. Florida has the means,
significant high tech commercial activity
and an unparalleled business climate that
provides us with the opportunity to better
control our economic destiny.
That opportunity cannot be exploited without
investment in our knowledge infrastructure. If
consistently placed at appropriate scale, these
will result in increases in productivity, creating
additional wealth and income for Floridians.
Improved state revenues will then be available to
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invest in critical state needs (such as caring for
an aging population) or for reducing tax rates of
our citizens.
If the investments are not made and/or no
additional sources of productivity enhancements
are identified, then Florida will continue to
be buffeted by the outsized swings that are
unavoidable with a growth and service-driven
economy. Those swings will result in deeper,
longer recessions than the United States as a
whole or competing states who have invested in
their success.
The choice is clear! Florida can set a course to
a better economic future, or we can do nothing
different and we can expect nothing different!