Press Releases

Governor Crist Meets with South Florida Business Leaders

by Governor's Press Office

Posted on May 22, 2009

 Governor Crist Meets with South Florida Business Leaders

~ Focuses on strengthening Florida’s economic future, highlights improved unemployment rate ~ 

MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist today, as part of his continued focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, met with Miami business leaders to discuss ways state government can enhance Florida’s business-friendly environment and use of federal stimulus dollars. In addition to showing his optimism about the future of Florida’s economy following the announcement of Florida’s first unemployment rate improvement in more than three years, the Governor also announced an upcoming public seminar in Miami that will provide information on how the federal stimulus package will benefit Florida’s businesses. Following his visit with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Governor Crist will tour a Kaplan University support center in Fort Lauderdale where he is expected to re-emphasize his commitment to job creation and higher education.

"During these economic times, state government must work closely with local businesses and schools to hear their concerns and suggestions for the future of our state," said Governor Crist. "Strengthening Florida’s schools and businesses are the fastest way to strengthening Florida’s overall economy."

During his visit to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Governor Crist expressed optimism about the future of Florida’s economy. Florida’s April 2009 unemployment rate, released today, showed the first improvement in Florida’s unemployment rate since March 2006. Governor Crist also commended Florida’s teachers for helping secure the state a top ten ranking in Education Week’s 2009 Quality Counts report. In addition, the Governor highlighted Florida’s innovative no-cost solutions like the Florida Discount Drug Card and Cover Florida Health Care Plan. Governor Crist also underscored the impact economic stimulus dollars will have on the Miami Dade community.

Stimulus funding for Miami-Dade County highlighted by the Governor include:

Education

– Miami-Dade County’s Voluntary Prekindergarten through 12th grade schools will benefit from $125 million in stimulus funding, while the area’s higher education schools will benefit from nearly $39 million.

 

Transportation

– Miami-Dade County’s state and local priority highway projects are expected to benefit from $187 million in economic stimulus funding, while transportation enhancement projects will receive $3.2 million, transit projects will receive $75 million and the Miami International Airport will receive $8 million.

Energy Grants

– Miami-Dade County is anticipated to receive $12.5 million in stimulus funds for energy grants, while the City of Miami receives $4.7 million.

 

Employment and Job Training– The South Florida Workforce Board has already received nearly $22 million in stimulus funds for training and employment services.

Energizing Florida’s Economy: Seminar on Florida Stimulus Package

Hosted by the Florida Department of Management Services’ Office of Supplier Diversity, the "Energizing Florida’s Economy: Seminar on Florida Stimulus Package" will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009, on the campus of Florida International University in Miami. Business representatives will hear from Don Winstead, Special Advisor to the Governor for the Implementation of the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with senior level officials from state agencies, including the Florida Department of Education, Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration. The seminar is open to the public, and individuals can RSVP to (850) 487-0915 or osdhelp@dms.state.fl.us

 

Kaplan University

During his visit to the Kaplan University support center in Fort Lauderdale, Governor Crist is expected to praise the school’s success providing both jobs to Floridians and a convenient education for working adults across the country. In April, Governor Crist helped celebrate the grand opening of Kaplan’s new student support center in Orlando, where it will employ at least 750 people.

Kaplan University, which is part of Kaplan Higher Education, provides online education to adult learners, offering associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 100 academic programs, including business, health services, education, and legal services. Kaplan also owns the Concord Law School, the only online law school in the country. Kaplan University has grown dramatically, from 34 online students in 2001 to more than 44,000 online students today.

For more information about Florida’s use of the federal recovery dollars, please visit

www.FlaRecovery.com

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