FloridaCommerce

Today, @FLSecofCommerce J. Alex Kelly attended the groundbreaking of NeoCity’s lab expansion—a testament to Florida’s commitment to building a future-ready economy through technology development, innovation and workforce excellence. Through strategic investments, including a $17.5 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund investment, and continued collaboration between public and private partners, this new facility will contain both wet and dry labs, and a cryogenic space. Additionally, the expansion allows greater access to those looking to make advancements in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.

.@FLSecofCommerce J. Alex Kelly visited @FullSail today, touring campus and the new state-of-the-art Drone Innovation Center which opened in December 2025. The more than 7,870 square foot multi-purpose facility houses six designated areas for Advanced Airspace, Communications, Engineering, Remote Operations, Simulation and Programming, and a Situation Room. The facility provides students with the opportunity to learn how to apply drone technology across multiple sectors including industrial, commercial, military, entertainment, and more.

The Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) Building Materials Tax Refund Program is open! Apply Now >> bit.ly/4rQzBoR

Space Florida and FDOT’s unique partnership builds what others can't. Roads. Utilities. All space transportation infrastructure. Startup ecosystems. $531M+ invested. $3B+ private investment attracted to spaceports alone. That's real leadership.

.@FLACommerce has been visiting communities across the state to talk to local business and government leaders about Florida’s Opportunity Zone 2.0 program. Last week, agency staff visited Bradford, Suwannee and Wakulla counties, and joined the Opportunity Florida Board Meeting in Blountstown. Interested in learning more or have recommendations for new Opportunity Zones? Visit >> floridajobs.org/opportunityzon…

Florida is happy to be called home by some of the most innovative research and development institutions in the country, including Moffitt Cancer Center! Check out this throwback shot of Moffitt’s Magnolia Campus in Tampa from 1986. @America250FL #America250FL

Florida doesn't just talk space — we fund it. $531M+ invested in spaceport infrastructure through our joint program with FDOT concentrated mostly at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. That investment has leveraged $3.3B in private industry funding. That's how you lead.

SAVE THE DATE! 📆 The Florida Rural Business Resource Tour is on the move and preparing for its next stop on Friday, March 27th, at the W.T. Neal Civic Center in Blountstown. Hosted by the @FloridaSBDCN and FloridaCommerce, the tour is designed to bring critical resources, expertise, and connections directly to rural communities across our state. This event is free to attend. We hope to see you there! For more information & to register, please visit FloridaSBDC.org/ruraltour

.@FLACommerce is welcoming community partners to begin submitting recommendations for eligible Opportunity Zones 2.0 census tracts for nomination! Click Here to Learn More and Submit Your Recommendation >> flcom.my.salesforce-sites.com/OpportunityZone

🌾SAVE THE DATE! Florida's Rural Business Resource Tour’s next stop will be March 27, 2026, from 2:30 - 5p.m. (CT) at the W.T. Neal Civic Center in Blountstown! Learn more: FloridaSBDC.org/ruraltour. #FloridaBusiness #FloridaRuralEntrepreneurs #FloridaSmallBusiness #FloridaRuralBusiness

Check out this vintage metal-work snapshot from 1962! @America250FL #America250FL

ICYMI: MILESTONE: More Than 10,000 Bonuses of $5,000 Awarded to New Law Enforcement Recruits >> bit.ly/411vQkK

Public order, safety, and the rule of law are fundamental to Florida’s success story. We couldn’t have done it without the men and women of law enforcement, who put their lives on the line to serve our communities every day. My administration has made historic investments to attract and retain great law enforcement personnel, including $5,000 bonuses for new hires at agencies across the state. As of today, more than 10,000 bonuses have been paid out to recruits from all over the country. We are grateful for their hard work and courageous service to the people of Florida.

The Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program is open! Apply Now >> bit.ly/4rpGjmk

Today in Naples, I was proud to announce a milestone for Florida’s Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program: More than 10,000 bonus payments of $5,000 after-tax have now been distributed to law enforcement personnel across our state. Since I signed landmark legislation to promote law enforcement recruitment and retention in 2022, Florida has made significant investments to help agencies recruit qualified personnel to keep our communities safe. Many of these new recruits have relocated to Florida from states where law enforcement has been defunded or demoralized by radical political agendas. We’re fortunate to have them here, and Floridians are grateful for their service every day.

This week @FLACommerce staff visited Bradford and Suwannee counties as part of the Opportunity Zone 2.0 tour! Learn more about the Opportunity Zone 2.0 program and submit your recommendations here >> floridajobs.org/opportunityzon…

Yesterday, Vice President of Business Development for @FLACommerce Heather Shubirg joined a panel hosted by the @MPFNeuro. Alongside @SelectFLA Board Member and President and CEO of @BDBPalmBeach, Kelly Smallridge, and President and CEO of @BioFlorida, Mark Glickman, the panelists spoke to leading corporate partners, academic researchers, business and life sciences leaders and more, discussing Florida’s life sciences ecosystem, innovation economy and future trajectory.

As part of Florida’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, we have commissioned statues of the great Americans who shaped our state and our nation. Today in Hamilton County, I was proud to unveil a new statue of the county’s namesake: Alexander Hamilton. His participation in the fight for independence, his contributions to writing the Federalist Papers, his public service as a diplomat and “Father of the Treasury,” and his role as a confidante to George Washington made Hamilton an indispensable figure in our nation’s history. Hamilton had the strategic vision to see Florida’s significance long before Florida entered the Union, and though he did not live to see Florida become a state, his work helped shape our American story.

Lumber and paper production have played a significant role in Florida’s economy throughout history. Check out this shot of logs being transported in Suwannee County in 1979. @America250FL #America250FL

Did you know the first @Publix was in Winter Haven and was called Publix Food Store? @FLACommerce #America250FL #Americana #Floridiana