Governor Emphasizes Manufacturing and Education Priorities

Tallahassee --- Today, the opening day of the 2013 Florida Legislative Session,

during his address to the Florida House and Senate in a Joint Session, and with

manufacturers in the audience, Governor Rick Scott announced his top two

priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session. One is removing the sales tax on

manufacturing machinery and equipment and the other is giving a pay raise to

teachers.

The Manufacturers Association of Florida applauds Governor Scott for

his recognition of the ever increasing important role advanced manufacturing

will play in diversifying Florida’s economy, providing well-paying jobs, and

securing Florida’s position as a hub for international trade. At the same time,

his education priority will serve to support the manufacturing industry by

rewarding teachers for performing at the highest levels and inspiring their

students to excel.

“Florida is poised to be the #1 manufacturing state in the nation. With

a little more help from the Florida Legislature on manufacturing tax policy,

Florida can become competitive with other manufacturing destination states

like Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas. We want

people to come for the sun and stay for the manufacturing business”, said Al

Stimac, President, Manufacturers Association of Florida and President, Metal

Essence.

More than 60% of Florida manufacturers are small businesses. While

this allows them to be more flexible in responding to changing market

demands and conditions, it also means that they are adversely affected by tax

red tape and un-level playing fields. “It is time to recognize that

manufacturing tax reform converts to capital investment, community

investment and employee investment,” said Nancy Stephens, Executive

Director, Manufacturers Association of Florida.

There are 18,107 manufacturers in Florida employing 314,800

individuals paying an average annual salary of $52,378, which is $10,000 more

than the average annual wage in Florida.

Through the MAF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence

manufacturers are doing their part to invest in students. Through the Dream

It! Do It! program, whereby manufacturers adopt high schools to engage

students in the manufacturing world, and develop partnerships with colleges

to design educational programs that prepare students for manufacturing

careers, Florida manufacturers are helping prepare their future workforce.

Governor Scott has it right – with a little help, manufacturers and

teachers can help lead this state to economic prosperity.

The Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) was formed in 2006 to

improve the business climate for manufacturers in Florida. The top

manufacturing sectors in Florida include computers and electronics, food

products, medical equipment, aerospace parts, nonmetallic mineral products,

fabricated metal products, machinery, chemicals, paper products, and printed

products. Visit www.mafmfg.com.

The MAF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence (MAF Center) is in its

first year of operation. It was organized to promote an environment in Florida

that produces an educated, skilled, trained and certified advanced

manufacturing workforce for world class manufacturers. Visit

www.mafcenter.org.