The purpose of the Department of Commerce 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 is the Governor's chief agency for business recruitment and expansion and economic development.

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.

• 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.

• Strategic Business Development
• Community Development
• Workforce Services
• Finance and Administration
• Division of Information Technology

The 2023 Legislature enacted Ch. 2023-173, Laws of Florida, which, among other provisions,

• renames the Department of Economic Opportunity to the Department of Commerce;
• eliminates Enterprise Florida, Inc., and moves all existing duties, functions, records, contracts, administrative authority and contracts to the Department of Commerce; 
• allows Visit Florida and the Florida Sports Foundation to enter into agreements with the Department of Commerce to continue existing activities, duties, or functions necessary for their operation;
• designates the international offices program as a direct-support organization for the Department of Commerce; and 
• repeals the following programs and incentives (with provisions for existing related commitments):
  • Entertainment Industry Tax Credit;
  • Qualified Defense and Space Flight Tax Refund;
  • Qualified Target Industry Businesses Tax Refund;
  • Economic Gardening Programs;
  • Quick Action Closing Fund;
  • Innovation Incentive Program;
  • Florida Space Flight Business Incentives;
  • Scripps Florida Funding Corporation;
  • Cooperative Advertising Matching Grants Program;
  • Motorsports Entertainment Complex;
  • Professional Golf Hall of Fame;
  • International Game Fish Association World Center;
  • Florida Small Business Technology Program;
  • New Markets Development Program;
  • Microfinance Programs;
  • Economic Development Transportation Projects;
  • Office of Film and Entertainment; and
  • Florida Film Advisory Council.

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
U. S. Department of Commerce

Performance Information

Department of Commerce, 850-245-7105
Website