Over 300 days of sunshine every year Annual average temperature of 70 degrees Florida has 1.200 to 1.800 miles of coastline No place in FL is more than 60 miles from the coast FL is a top destination for retirees No state income tax

Great weather, spectacular scenery, vibrant cities and rich cultural diversity…. the Sunshine State, known as Florida, has it all.

Economy Strengths: (Source: State of Florida.com)

• International Trade (40% of all U.S. exports to Latin and South America pass through Florida)
• Tourism - with 76.8 million visitors in 2004 (a record number), Florida is the top travel destination in the world.
• The tourism industry has an economic impact of $57 billion on Florida’s economy.
• Space Industry - The space industry represents $4.5 billion of the state's economy.
• The average annual wage of aerospace workers is approximately $52,000.
• The number employed at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) alone is 15,000
• Florida ranks 4th among the states in overall aerospace employment with 23,000 jobs.
• Agriculture – Florida leads the southeast in farm income.
• Florida produces about 75% of the U.S. oranges and accounts for about 40% of the world's orange juce supply.
• Construction industry's strength results from the steady stream of new residents and visitors who are welcomed to Florida each year.
• Services - growth in high tech, financial & back office operations
• Software - many small, entrepreneurial companies
• Health Technology (medical, biotech, laboratories)
• University Research - more than $500 million per year in sponsored research at Florida universities
  
  

Florida Taxes - Florida ranks low in terms of the tax burden placed on residents. Based on income, property and other state and local tax collections, the Tax Foundation research organization ranks Florida among the lowest tax states ( Florida ranks #45 among the 50 states in 2004; only five states have a lower tax burden). (StateofFlorida.com 4/3/07)