As promised, Gov. Rick Scott’s $74.2 billion budget request includes millions in tax breaks for manufacturers and more to help state economic developers to entice companies to relocate or expand in the state.
The governor repeated his call for expanding the sales tax exemption for machinery used in manufacturing, a $140 million savings that will impact 17,500 manufacturing companies in the state.
Other provisions in Scott’s plan include $200 million more for economic incentives and $35 million more to market’s the state through Visit Florida, the state’s tourism arm.
Earlier Thursday, Enterprise Florida President Gray Swoope, defended the state’s economic incentive programs, saying recent fiascos including Digital Domain, a member-driven project that received $20 million from the state before closing shop last year, circumvented Enterprise Florida’s review process, which has largely been successful in vetting projects.
Other spending priorities include $50 million for affordable housing through its State Housing Initiatives Partnership program. Funds can be used for down payment assistance, repairs, renovations and other incentives created local governments and private partners.
