The Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches is committed to ensuring that the voice of our business community is heard at all levels of government. As part of our advocacy efforts, Chamber President & CEO Michael Zeff and Board Chairman Michael Davis met this week with Florida’s Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly and several county leaders to discuss Governor Ron DeSantis’ key economic and budget priorities for the upcoming legislative session. Additionally, we were proud to attend and sponsor Palm Beach County Day at the State Capitol, where we engaged with state legislators, policy makers and business leaders to advocate for policies that foster business growth and economic prosperity.

Key Priorities from Florida’s Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly

Legislative Initiatives

• The Florida Commerce Agency Bill (SB 1264/HB 1125) includes several key measures aimed at strengthening economic development, security, and business growth.
• Office of SecureFlorida – Establishes resources for E-Verify compliance and foreign ownership regulations.
• RISE Venture Capital Tax Credit – Allocates $100 million in tax credits, with up to $10 million per venture capital firm to spur investment.
• Data Center Tax Exemption – Eliminates the sunset date for existing tax exemptions to attract data center development.
• Rural Economic Development – Expands eligibility for rural assistance programs and enhances site readiness resources for economic development.
• Regional Planning Councils – Reduces state oversight, allowing for more localized decision-making.
• Manufacturing & Rural Community Growth (SB 600/HB 561, SB 110/HB 1427) – Strengthens manufacturing industries and supports rural economic expansion.

Governor’s Budget Priorities

The proposed FY 2025 budget includes significant investments in business development, workforce readiness, and infrastructure:

• Repeal of Florida’s business rent (commercial lease) tax, delivering $1.6 billion in savings for businesses.
• $100 million in Venture Capital Tax Credits to attract investment and job creation.

Workforce Development & Housing

• $100 million for Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grants to enhance training programs.
• $20 million for the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to expand apprenticeships.
• $178.5 million for SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) and $100 million for the Hometown Heroes housing assistance program.
• $1.2 million to improve compensation for local workforce board specialists serving veterans.

Infrastructure, Innovation & Resilience

• $25 million for Florida Commerce/DOT’s newly enacted Supply Chain Grant Program.
• $5 million to support agriculture accelerators in partnership with state colleges.
• Advocating for Your Business: Palm Beach County Day
• The Chamber was proud to be a sponsor of Palm Beach County Day, where we met with legislators, state leaders, and fellow business advocates to ensure that our members’ interests are represented in Tallahassee.

Through direct engagement with policymakers, we continue to advocate for policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and a pro-business environment.