Starting a business or relocating your corporation's headquarters? The state of Florida offers many advantages to those businesspeople seeking to relocate or establish a business in the Sunshine State.

In the first quarter of 2005, Florida's GSP (Gross State Product) was $613.9 billion. This number is up 1.2% from the previous quarter and is up 4.6% from the previous year.

In addition to this robust growth rate, there are also government incentives to encourage businesspeople to conduct business and/or incorporate in Florida. Some examples include targeted qualified industry tax refunds to special zones and sites that eliminate state and local taxes to encourage development. This situation, combined with a trained subsidized workforce, creates favorable business conditions.

Besides being good for business, Florida is also one of the top retirement destinations in the United States. Because it offers a zone 10 gardening season, year-round use of beaches, and exotic flora and fauna, many businesspeople choose to relocate a pre-existing business in Florida.

The strong partnership between government and business leaders in the state suggests that Florida will enjoy solid and sustained economic development in the times ahead. Concerned individuals from all sectors united to rebuild Florida after the devastation of four hurricanes in a short six-week period in late November of 2004. The way the whole state pulled itself together with a steady, resilient message that "business will go on" was very impressive, indeed.