GOVERNOR CRIST KICKS OFF FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS MONTH IN ORLANDO
~~ ~~Welcomes Waldorf Astoria to Florida, celebrates boost to tourism and small businesses~~ ~~
October 1, 2009
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
ORLANDO – Governor Charlie Crist today kicked off Florida Small Business Month by attending the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. During his visit, Governor Crist applauded the economic benefits the hotel will bring to Florida’s tourism industry and surrounding small businesses.
“I am confident the guests and visitors to Bonnet Creek will enjoy tremendous hospitality while experiencing world-class accommodations in a world-class city,” said Governor Crist. “As the tourism capital of the world, Florida is honored to welcome this beautiful resort that will help generate new economic opportunities in the region.”
Governor Crist was joined during his visit by President of Hilton Worldwide Global Brands Paul Brown, Orange County Mayor Richard Crotty and Orlando City Mayor Buddy Dyer. In addition to the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek also opened for business. Surrounded on three sides by the Walt Disney World Resort, the group is collectively known as Bonnet Creek and represents a 482-acre vacation destination.
During his remarks, Governor Crist emphasized his commitment to keeping Florida as business-friendly and tourism-friendly as possible. This year, the American City Business Journal ranked three Florida cities among the top 20 best areas for small business vitality, including Orlando which ranked number seven. Meanwhile, the tourism industry creates an economic impact of more than $65 billion to the Sunshine State and employs more than one million Floridians.
Throughout October, the Governor will highlight the impact Florida’s small businesses have on the economy and examine opportunities to help small businesses grow. Florida is home to more than 1.9 million small businesses, many of which are represented in the hospitality and construction industry. The $280 million investment in the Bonnet Creek development has already benefited such industries through the creation of more than 700 local jobs. Statewide, the hospitality and construction industry contribute more than $84.3 billion to Florida’s gross state product, with nearly 128,000 businesses employing more than 1.47 million Floridians.
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FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS MONTH
WHEREAS, the success of small businesses throughout the Sunshine State play a vital role in keeping our state’s economic engine strong and vibrant; and
WHEREAS, it is important that we take the necessary steps to give small businesses the resources they need to succeed; and
WHEREAS, partnerships between higher education communities, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations assist in the development and education of Florida’s small businesses; and
WHEREAS, Florida is the 4th most populous state in the nation and the most populous in the Southeast with, 18,328,340 residents in 2008; and
WHEREAS, according to the Small Business Administration, Florida’s 1.9 million small businesses provide economic opportunities to diverse groups of people and bring innovative products and services to the market place; and
WHEREAS, small business accounts for nearly 60 percent of new jobs created in Florida; and
WHEREAS, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employer firms in the United States; and
WHEREAS, research indicates that small businesses have the highest potential for growth and new job creation, which will help build a stronger Florida both now and in the future; and
WHEREAS, Florida Small Business Month is designed to help raise public awareness on the small business owners, employees, and entrepreneurial spirit of the people of the great State of Florida and their role in economic success of the Sunshine State;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, do hereby extend greetings and best wishes to all observing October 2009 as Florida Small Business Month.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 30th day of September, in the year two thousand nine.
Charlie Crist
Governor