OFFICE OF TOURISM, TRADE, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Serves as state point on rural development issues in part through oversight of Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI), rural infrastructure loans and grants,

• Administers military and defense retention, expansion, and grant programs, and oversees bi-annual Base Commanders Forums, as well as Governor’s BRAC Advisory Council activities

• Administers international trade programs through the oversight of international trade and investment, diplomacy, and consular affairs.

• Coordinates and staffs the Emerging Technology Commission, the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors, the Scripps Florida development, and the Haiti Commission.

• Approves and certifies business expansion and retention incentive programs (e.g. qualified target industry tax refund, the qualified defense tax refund, and high impact industry grants, bond financing programs, and defense grant programs);

• Manages community development programs such as enterprise zones, community contribution tax credits and the urban and rural job tax credit programs;

• Serves as lead agency for expediting permit process on economic development projects;

• Maintains extensive interaction with business, economic development, and community leaders to advocate on their behalf to the Governor and Legislature.