[sunrico90]

How can be boost economic growth?

How do we attract new companies to the state?

Going green might be a way to take a leap forward: $200 million for grants, rebates and tax incentives for research and development in solar/wind energy, bio-fuels and reducing greenhouse emissions. Will this be our future a GREENER Florida.

[riveree]

We really have no excuse for not taking advantage of solar opportunities, we have quite a bit of sunshine to harvest.

[MrTudo]

Give tax free status to any company willing to open any new manufacturing ( low or high tech )facility, no matter what the size of the company.

Tax free means Tax Free.

That's one way.

[Ten]

A solid perspective on the fundamental problems with the US economy tends to argue a strong case against alternative energy and government's funding it. Let's remember that the Bubble Economy, having blown through tech and housing with dire results both times, is actually looking at alt energy already.

Why is this a problem? It's obvious: The Bubble Economy requires only a ready supply of easy credit (read: paper money, thanks to the Fed) and a place to sink it, especially when the federal government injects it directly into the veins of the next waiting bubble.

This we're trained by now to call stimulus and even growth. It's certainly not growth.

Making alt energy the next bubble isn't a good idea. That said, since we don't learn from mistakes and since we therefore constantly prod artificial economic stimulus and call it growth, what better way to jump start not the economy but a new bubble than subsidizing alternative energy?

You watch, it's already on radar. And it'll cause the same addiction and withdrawl the other bubbles did. Be careful what you wish for...

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Ten

You watch, it's already on radar. And it'll cause the same addiction and withdrawl the other bubbles did. Be careful what you wish for...

Maybe so, but the benefit of free/reduced power costs and clean energy will outlive any bubble.

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by riveree

We really have no excuse for not taking advantage of solar opportunities, we have quite a bit of sunshine to harvest.

Solar is still a "novelty" form of energy. The technology is too expensive and WAY to big... as in the acreage to produce usable/reliable amounts of energy. However we should continue developing new and better technologies, related to solar.

Wind makes a lot of sense... we have the "southeast trades" which consistantly blows 15 kts. I envision off shore development.

The gulf stream (east coast) offers a unique opportunity in energy production... the logistics are daunting, but possible. This IMO it is our best and most consistant sourse of untapped "green" energy.

doesnt stop if the sun is down
works on cloudy days
is predictable
not far from coast line
equipment easily moved and repaired
doesn't require any land purchases or "eminant domain"

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Originally Posted by sunrico90

How can be boost economic growth?

How do we attract new companies to the state?

Going green might be a way to take a leap forward: $200 million for grants, rebates and tax incentives for research and development in solar/wind energy, bio-fuels and reducing greenhouse emissions. Will this be our future a GREENER Florida.

New Companies

I am of the opinion... that Florida is not geographically situated in a favorable area for manufacturing....Transportation costs are too big part of getting goods to the market. In addition the very nature of our state... tourism, agriculture (aquaculture), housing/retirement has already taken place... there is an "existing" template. In order to change... We would need a completely different economic paradigm to move in another direction... and I suggest this will not take place in the foreseeable future. You will find many, many people believe manufacturing is what we lack as a state, and there is salvation in industry... I do not agree ... l believe China has that market cornered for large scale manufacturing, but I do believe... we have opportunities in manufacturing that supports our existing strengths relating to our "core" economics.

Folks.... we are who we are. We are the "Sunshine State". If industry could be our economic savior then why hasn't it happened? why do you suppose industry moved to places like Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina? ummmm... it's cheaper... and industry wants handouts. I call it industrial welfare. We competitively grapple to give money to large corporations to win them, but is that good business? is that good for our children? sometimes, but look at states that have done that previously... those companies now hold an economic gun to the state and say "if you want us to stay, you must do________ fill in the blank. Corporate blackmail. Happens all the time.

I do believe we are a good place for Bio tech, energy technology development, Medical technology, Marine Technology, International Banking, etc... We are the natural "gateway" to North and South America. I believe the companies we should try and attract must "fit" us, not us changing to accommodate them.

[Ten]

Originally Posted by riveree

Maybe so, but the benefit of free/reduced power costs and clean energy will outlive any bubble.

Incorrect. Alternative energy is not economically feasible; it does not compete because it cannot. For only one example, we're already learning that converting corn to ethanol dramatically and negatively impacts the cost of all food products related to corn.

Meanwhile solar is widely know to be far more expensive then traditional energy. There's a very good reason it absolutely requires heavy subsidies. Ditto wind. This is not an environmental issue; it's a fiscal issue.

And that brings us back to the point. The US Bubble Economy loves to make something out of nothing as much as the government likes to be lobbied to make artificial stimuli and call it growth. Put the two back together for a true fiasco. Decades ago we'd call it the New Deal -- it's Keynesian economics. It does not work. You cannot spend yourself rich.

Sorry, no way to get to the free lunch of alternative energy + "economic stimulus."

So let the free markets work. Get government out of the business of mismanaging fiat currency and out of the business of succumbing to special financial interests.

[chisoxfan]

Keep an eye on what happens in Palm Beach County with Scripps Florida and the Max Planck Society. If biotech succeeds there and fosters economic growth, it could provide part of the blueprint for Florida's future. It's still very early in the game, but already the University of Miami has talked about making its own foray into biotech. At the very least, it's an effort to diversify beyond the real estate/construction/tourism house of cards.

[sunrico90]

What would be the best choice of industrial development by region:

South Florida

Central Florida

North East Florida

North West Florida