The economic development programs OPPAGA examined represent a wide range of benefits for businesses and other entities. For example, space and defense industry incentives include tax refunds and tax exemptions, while military, veterans, workforce training, and international trade programs offer grants. In addition, international trade and development activities include participation in trade missions and shows as well as services provided to businesses by overseas offices.
Stakeholders are generally satisfied with the economic incentives and services offered through the programs on this year's review schedule. For example, program recipients believe that the state's defense grant programs are very important to local efforts, and training grant recipients reported that the grants have positively impacted their businesses. However, for some programs, there are concerns related to program administration and the methods used to assess program performance.
Several issues could be addressed to improve state agency promotion of Veterans Florida's employment opportunities and enhance the administration of the Quick Response Training Program. Improvements could also be made to the methods that Enterprise Florida uses to assess the impact of its international trade and development activities. Legislative action would be necessary to implement some of these recommendations.

Florida Economic Development Program Evaluations Year 8
Report 20-08 December 2020
Florida Economic Development Program Evaluations - Year 7
Report 19-16 December 2019
Florida Economic Development Program Evaluations - Year 5
Report 17-13 December 2017
Florida Economic Development Program Evaluations - Year 4
Report 17-02 January 2017

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.