Department of Economic Opportunity

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What is the purpose of the department?

The purpose of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is to assist the Governor in working with the Legislature, state agencies, business leaders, and economic development professionals to formulate and implement coherent and consistent policies and strategies designed to promote economic opportunities for all Floridians.

The department also must ensure that the state's goals and policies relating to economic development, workforce development, community planning and development, and affordable housing are fully integrated with appropriate implementation strategies.

What are the responsibilities of the department?

The Department of Economic Opportunity's duties include

managing the activities of public-private partnerships and state agencies in order to avoid duplication and promote coordinated and consistent implementation of programs in areas including tourism; international trade and investment; business recruitment, creation, retention, and expansion; minority and small business development; rural community development; commercialization of products, services, or ideas developed in public universities or other public institutions; and the development and promotion of professional and amateur sporting events;
developing a statewide five-year strategic plan to address the promotion of business formation, expansion, recruitment, and retention in order to create jobs; and
promoting viable, sustainable communities by providing technical assistance and guidance on growth and development issues, grants, and other assistance to local communities.

How is the department organized?

To carry out the agency's mission, the Legislature designated five divisions within the department.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2020-21

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
	FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION	345,000,000	.00
	HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT	980,740,721	110.00
PROGRAM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT SERVICES
	EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP	4,411,972	37.00
	FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION	13,961,129	101.00
	INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES	12,305,853	100.00
PROGRAM: STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
	STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT	287,271,280	22.00
PROGRAM: WORKFORCE SERVICES
	CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA	22,274,831	.00
	REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE APPEALS COMMISSION	4,343,575	33.50
	REEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM	261,950,217	478.00
	WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT	326,458,379	587.50
TOTAL		2,258,717,957	1,469.00

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

Program governance. Chapter 2020-30, Laws of Florida, modified department operations including

the operations, funding, and transparency requirements of the Regional Rural Development Grants Program and Rural Infastructure Fund;
the governance and administration of the Florida Development Finance Corporation;
the structure of Florida's workforce development system, replacing CareerSource Florida with the state board or DEO relating to the implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; and
the description of the purpose, operation, and structure of CareerSource and the state board.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
U. S. Department of Commerce
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Section 20.60, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Economic Opportunity, 850-245-7105

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