Mission & Vision

Mission Statement
Florida’s Great Northwest’s vision for the Northwest Florida of 2015 is represented by a comprehensive mission statement:

  • Grow a vibrant and sustainable economy for all 16 counties in Northwest Florida that creates nationally and globally competitive advantages for the development of key industry clusters, increases the income and prosperity of workers and families, ensures healthy communities and a vibrant quality of life, and preserves the natural beauty and resources of the region.

Vision Statement
The vision grows a sustainable economy throughout Northwest Florida that embraces the rural, suburban and urban components of the region.  The strategy includes:

  • Diversifying the Northwest Florida economy, ensuring strength in multiple industry clusters, as well as strengthening world trade markets.
  • Lessening the burden of government by focusing on business development that complements Northwest Florida’s existing infrastructure, matches Florida’s competitive strengths, and minimizes the reliance on incentives for business development.
  • Establishing and strengthening international trade, including the import and export of goods and services as well as reverse foreign direct investment in the region.
  • Integrating education, workforce, infrastructure, quality of life, and smart growth as integral elements to diversify Florida’s economy.
  • Focusing on quality development through embracing an environment that:
    • Fosters the development of globally competitive businesses.
    • Provides, through the development of high wage/high skill jobs in knowledge-based industries, annual increases in the per capita income of the region.
    • Discourages off-shoring by encouraging the development of high-margin businesses.
    • Corrects the region’s existing two-tiered or barbell economy through a focus on job creation in the $30,000 to $80,000 annual income range.
    • Understands that rural projects are different in magnitude than urban/suburban projects.

The strategy incorporates a holistic approach to economic development.  It incorporates the basic economic development principals of product development, retention and expansion of existing industry, attraction, and new business development or entrepreneurship, as well as adding an international trade component.