Fla. Stat. § 288.005 — Florida Code / Title XIX / Chapter 288 / Part I / Section 288.005
288.005 Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “County destination marketing organization” means a public or private agency that is funded by local option tourist development tax revenues under s. 125.0104, or local option convention development tax revenues under s. 212.0305, and is officially designated by a county commission to market and promote the area for tourism or convention business or, in any county that has not levied such taxes, a public or private agency that is officially designated by the county commission to market and promote the area for tourism or convention business.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Commerce.

(3) “Economic benefits” means the direct, indirect, and induced gains in state revenues as a percentage of the state’s investment. The state’s investment includes state grants, tax exemptions, tax refunds, tax credits, and other state incentives.

(4) “Jobs” means full-time equivalent positions, including, but not limited to, positions obtained from a temporary employment agency or employee leasing company or through a union agreement or coemployment under a professional employer organization agreement, which result directly from a project in this state. This number does not include temporary construction jobs involved with the construction of facilities for the project.

(5) “Loan administrator” means an entity statutorily eligible to receive state funds and authorized by the department to make loans under a loan program.

(6) “Loan program” means a program established in this chapter to provide appropriated funds to an eligible entity to further a specific state purpose for a limited period of time and with a requirement that such appropriated funds be repaid to the state. The term includes a “loan fund” or “loan pilot program” administered by the department under this chapter.

(7) “Target industry business” means a corporate headquarters business or any business that is engaged in one of the target industries identified pursuant to the following criteria developed by the Department of Commerce: (a) Future growth. — The industry forecast indicates strong expectation for future growth in employment and output, according to the most recent available data. Special consideration should be given to businesses that export goods to, or provide services in, international markets and businesses that onshore business operations to replace domestic and international imports of goods or services. (b) Stability. — The industry is not subject to periodic layoffs, whether due to seasonality or sensitivity to volatile economic variables such as weather. The industry is also relatively resistant to recession, so that the demand for products of this industry is not typically subject to decline during an economic downturn. (c) High wage. — The industry pays relatively high wages compared to statewide or area averages. (d) Market and resource independent. — The industry business location is not dependent on markets or resources in the state as indicated by industry analysis, except for businesses in the renewable energy industry. (e) Industrial base diversification and strengthening. — The industry contributes toward expanding or diversifying the state’s or area’s economic base, as indicated by analysis of employment and output shares compared to national and regional trends. Special consideration should be given to industries that strengthen regional economies by adding value to basic products or building regional industrial clusters as indicated by industry analysis. Special consideration should also be given to the development of strong industrial clusters that include defense and homeland security businesses. (f) Positive economic impact. — The industry has strong positive economic impacts on or benefits to the state or regional economies. Special consideration should be given to industries that facilitate the development of the state as a hub for domestic and global trade and logistics. The term does not include any business engaged in retail industry activities; any electrical utility company as defined in s. 366.02(4); any phosphate or other solid minerals severance, mining, or processing operation; any oil or gas exploration or production operation; or any business subject to regulation by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Any business within NAICS code 5611 or NAICS code 5614, office administrative services and business support services, respectively, may be considered a target industry business only after the local governing body and the Department of Commerce determine that the community in which the business may locate has conditions affecting the fiscal and economic viability of the local community or area, including, but not limited to, low per capita income, high unemployment, high underemployment, and a lack of year-round stable employment opportunities, and such conditions may be improved by the business locating in such community. By January 1 of every 3rd year, beginning January 1, 2011, the Department of Commerce, in consultation with economic development organizations, the State University System, local governments, employee and employer organizations, market analysts, and economists, shall review and, as appropriate, revise the list of target industries and submit the list to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(8) “Tourism marketing” means any effort exercised to attract domestic and international visitors from outside the state to destinations in this state and to stimulate Florida resident tourism to areas within the state.

(9) “Tourist” means any person who participates in trade or recreation activities outside the county of his or her permanent residence or who rents or leases transient living quarters or accommodations as described in s. 125.0104(3)(a).

History: s. 17, ch. 2011-142; s. 10, ch. 2013-39; s. 10, ch. 2013-42; s. 4, ch. 2014-218; s. 21, ch. 2021-25; s. 33, ch. 2023-173; s. 68, ch. 2024-6.