How FloridaCommerce Gets the Job Done

The state of Florida has achieved many firsts in its economic development efforts over the past year, ranking #1 in education, net in-migration, net-business migration, new business start-ups, manufacturing job growth, and lowest state debt per capita. With 4.5 million new businesses created since 2019, CNBC has ranked Florida a “Top 3 State for Business.” Just why, and exactly how this has happened, will be answered by this month’s speaker, Florida Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has built the fastest growing economy in the world,” commented Secretary Kelly in preparing for his Club presentation. “Continued strategic investments in Florida’s talent readiness, infrastructure readiness, financial readiness and quality of life have made Florida the best place to live, work and do business.” The department, stylized as FloridaCommerce, assists the Governor in advancing Florida’s economy by championing the state’s economic development vision and by administering state and federal programs and initiatives to help visitors, citizens, businesses, and communities. It picked-up economic development responsibilities three years ago when Enterprise Florida, the state’s previous public-private partnership, was disbanded by the legislature. Since then, its vision has been to make Florida “the nation’s top-performing economy and be recognized as the world’s best place to live, learn, play, work and do business.” Its responsibilities also include workforce development, community development, disaster recovery, and unemployment benefits. Prior to his appointment as Secretary, Mr. Kelly held the Deputy Chief of Staff role in the Governor’s Office. He has an extensive background and expertise in education and economic development having served as the Vice President for the Foundation of Excellence in Education and the Chief of Staff to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in 2019. Secretary Kelly has held various roles in the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives, including Staff Director for the House Redistricting Committee, and Chief Analyst for the House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning. He served as the Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and Legislative Affairs Director at the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs. Secretary Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida. He will be will be introduced by Club Chair Christopher Emmanuel, Director of Government Relations for the University of Florida.