BUSINES S CLIMATE
Greater Fort Lauderdale’s economy is driven by ingenuity, a diverse and skilled workforce, access to national and international markets and a universal entrepreneurial spirit.
services, 99,800 in government, 96,100 in education-healthcare, 93,900 in retail trade, 72,700 in leisure and hospitality, 51,300 in finance-insurance-real estate, 43,300 in wholesale trade, 32,200 in construction, 24,700 in manufacturing and 15,600 in information. Greater Fort Lauderdale has 32 percent of the total employment in the South Florida region of more than 2.16 million workers. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s largest employers, as ranked by the South Florida Business Journal, represent many sectors including financial services, education, business services, information technology, printing and publishing, aviation and aerospace and retail sales. Greater Fort
the least costly places to do business and a top location for business friendliness. Of the 62,473 companies with operations in Greater Fort Lauderdale, 96 percent employ fewer than 50. Major Industry Sectors
Aviation/Aerospace Situated in the heart of South Florida, a With more than 328 aviation and aerospace cosmopolitan region with more than 5.5 million companies calling Greater Fort Lauderdale home, people, Greater Fort Lauderdale is an attractive this multi-billion dollar sector features airlines, and convenient location for multinational general aviation, component part suppliers, and companies from North America, Europe and Asia airframe and engine manufacturers including as a regional headquarters location. At the same Embraer, Heico Corp., Spirit Airlines, South African time, Greater Fort Lauderdale serves as a major Airways, Aviall, Kellstrom Industries gateway to the Caribbean, Latin and Hamilton Sunstrand. America and beyond. “AutoNation’s drive to be the best mirrors Greater Fort Lauderdale’s The Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Historically, Greater Fort International Airport (FLL) and Lauderdale has been perceived commitment to providing a world-class business environment for its surrounding general aviation as a “fun in the sun” destination companies on the move. A diverse and skilled workforce, easy airports also have a great economic only. While Fort Lauderdale is access to national and international markets and an exceptional impact on the community. FLL is justifiably proud of its hospitality ranked as the 22nd largest airport industry with which it has been quality of life are just a few of the top reasons AutoNation calls Fort in total passengers in the U.S., is linked over the years, today’s Lauderdale home.” one of the largest employers in economy is more balanced and - Mike Jackson, Chairman and CEO, AutoNation Greater Fort Lauderdale with over encompasses other key industry 8,900 employees working onsite, sectors and companies that range and touts more than a $2.7 billion in size from multinational to economic impact on the local economy. Lauderdale also boasts more than 100 corporate, micro business too the solid base of business and regional and Latin American headquarters industry helps Greater Fort Lauderdale weather According to the Greater Fort Lauderdale including AutoNation, JM Family Enterprises, economic slowdowns and facilitates strong Citrix Systems, Claire’s Stores, Embraer, Microsoft, Alliance, Broward County’s official public/private growth during economic upswings. partnership for economic development, the local Motorola, SEACOR Holdings, SFN Group and Spirit Diverse Employment Airlines with 10 of the headquarter companies aviation/aerospace community will soon expand According to Florida’s Agency for Workforce when the community welcomes BRS Aerospace, exceeding $1 billion in sales. Innovation most recent report, employment in Small and medium size companies are crucial designer, manufacturer and distributor of wholeGreater Fort Lauderdale is distributed among to Greater Fort Lauderdale’s economy. The aircraft emergency parachute systems for general all major business sectors. Of the 693,500 community has been cited by Bizjournals, KPMG aviation and recreational aircraft. BRS Aerospace persons employed in Greater Fort Lauderdale, and fDI Magazine as one of the best places recently announced plans to expand in Greater there are 110,700 in professional-business to start a business because it ranks as one of Fort Lauderdale and add 400 new jobs.
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