The Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), Florida Retail Federation (FRF), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA)’s RESET Task Force released its final report, which highlights executive and legislative policy recommendations aimed at helping the state’s economy rebound from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and any similar future economic slowdowns.
Florida’s film, television and digital media industry was included in the list of recommendations. Film Florida was included in three workgroups that met multiple times virtually over a period of three months. Each workgroup focused on a different part of Florida’s economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. Issues and recommendations we discussed and evaluated by members of each workgroup then the overall RESET Task Force Leadership.
“AIF is committed to legislative efforts to help Florida compete for high wage jobs in film, television and the digital media industry. Our great state has much to offer and a sound fiscally responsible program will help us attract the high wage jobs we have lost to Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana and California in recent years,” said Brewster Bevis, AIF’s senior vice president of state and federal affairs and co-chair of the RESET Task Force.
The RESET Task Force established ten working groups to focus efforts and identify recommendations by subject area. The working groups included Agriculture, Healthcare, Hospitality/Tourism, Large Employer/Workforce, Small Employers, Legal Liability/Legal Reform, Manufacturing/Supply Chain, Retail, Taxation, and Transportation and Infrastructure. The findings and recommendations of each working group are included in the RESET Task Force’s final report.
Under the Large Employer/Workforce workgroup, the recommendations included establishing a “Targeted Rebate Program for Film in Florida.” Under the Taxation workgroup, recommendations included maintaining the Entertainment Industry Sales Tax Exemption Program and once again creating a “Film Targeted Rebate Program.” CLICK HERE to read the full report, references to the film, television and digital media industry can be found on pages 21-22, 42 and 44.
“We were honored to be asked to participate in the RESET Task Force with so many companies and individuals that care deeply about the well-being of Florida,” Gail Morgan, President of Film Florida said. “A booming film, television and digital media industry would bring high-wage jobs to the state, accelerating Florida’s economic recovery and further diversifying our economy. These jobs also come quickly to positively affect our economy sooner than other industries which is why we believe the film and television industry can and should be a major part of Florida’s economic recovery.”
The RESET Task Force was formed in April to focus on providing industry-specific policy recommendations to the Florida Legislature and bringing forth initiatives that will seek to help all of Florida’s economy rebound from the effects of COVID-19 and future economic slowdowns. The task force is comprised of more than 60 organizations, more than 30 large and small employers, including most of the largest employers in Florida, and more than 130 direct participants including representatives from Anheuser-Busch, Duke Energy, Florida Blue, Florida Power & Light, Publix and many others.
“This report is the culmination of a dedicated group effort to closely examine the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on businesses and industries in our state, thoughtfully discuss the difficulties they have experienced, and carefully craft sensible solutions to the issues impacting Florida’s employers,” said Dr. Ed Moore, executive director of the RESET Task Force.
About Film Florida: Film Florida is a state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media/tech industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major entertainment production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit FilmFlorida.org.
About AIF: Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state. For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.
About FRF: The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is the statewide trade association representing retailers — the businesses that sell directly to consumers. Florida retailers provide one out of every five jobs in the state, pay more than $49 billion in wages annually, and collect and remit more than $20 billion in sales taxes for Florida’s government each year. For more information on FRF, please visit FRF.org.
About NFIB: The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Since our founding in 1943, NFIB has been exclusively dedicated to small and independent businesses, and remains so today. For more information on NFIB, please visit NFIB.com.
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association, representing more than 10,000 members including independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks, and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s $111.7 billion hospitality industry, which represents 1.5 million employees. For more information on FRLA, please visit FRLA.org and follow @FRLAnews.
