Distribution and logistics, maritime and port-related business and health care and hospitals are the three leading desirable economic development targets for Northeast Florida, while manufacturing, government and the nonprofit industries are not.
Those survey insights and others were revealed Wednesday by the Innovate Northeast Florida team.
The goal of the economic development initiative is to identify target industries and sub-clusters that will stimulate future economic growth in the region. The initiative is a joint effort by the JAX USA Partnership for Regional Economic Development and the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
The survey’s goal is to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the seven-county region of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.
It was taken online by more than 2,500 businesses and residents.
The survey was the first of a three-part project and will be used to assess those economic sub-clusters. The project will conclude in April.
The presentation was part of a JAX USA forum at the Jacksonville Marriott.
While not completed, the survey results so far showed:
• On a scale of 1-5, with 1 being “very dissatisfied” and 5 being “very satisfied,” Northeast Florida met expectations in some areas while lacking in others.
The highest marks came under “livability,” where several aspects had results above 3, led by climate at higher than 4. “Family friendliness,” “health care,” “community service” and “cost of living” all fared above 3.5.
The lowest marks in the section were “creativity/innovation” (2.64), “appeal for young professionals” (2.68) and “growth management” (2.79).
• Under “infrastructure,” mass transit received the lowest score at 1.93.
• Under economic development initiatives, survey-takers were offered a list of choices for the most desirable for Northeast Florida.
The highest so far are distribution and logistics (12.8 percent), maritime and port-related (12.8 percent) health care and hospitals (11.5 percent) and aviation and aerospace (10.4).
At the bottom are manufacturing (0.4 percent), public administration and government (0.7 percent) and nonprofit and social services (1 percent).
• Corporate, U.S. and regional headquarters ranked highest among desirable business operations, at 26.7 percent, while sales and customer support came in last at 6.4 percent.
• Asked to rate Northeast Florida’s top three competitive strengths among a list of 16, the top favorable responses were geographic location (24 percent), cost of living (21.4 percent) and natural environment (10.9 percent).
Given the same list and asked to list the top three weaknesses, responders said Pre K-12 schools (15.7 percent), career and job opportunities (14.8 percent) and the economy (11.7 percent).
• Better education, Downtown, jobs, lower taxes, mass transit and reduced crime were all top responses when survey-takers were asked to name two specific ways Northeast Florida leaders could make the region better for residents.
For businesses, top responses included Downtown, education, improved jobs, new businesses, regulations, small business and tax incentives.
A final report of the first phase is expected in mid-November.
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