Is Florida Shrinking?
For the first time since WWII, Florida has experienced a 2% percent drop in growth since the recession began in 2007. A state dependant on the growth of 300,000 anually, is now slowing. In fact, demographers site that the population of Florida has diminished by 60,000 over the last two years.
Some predict that growth of the state may rise between 2015 and 2020 surpassing New York but for now, people can get back to the "why" they enjoyed Florida in the first place, sandy-white beaches, attractions, low-taxes and just a greener Florida.
While thousands are leaving the state, analyst predict as much as 500,000 in the months to come, the state could face a potential calamity because of it's reliance on population growth due to the lack of diversity.
On a good note, leaders now have a hiatus to rethink how the state's structure and dependence on growth affects the budget. Assumptions that huge growth due to sunny beaches, and attractions that in times past invigorated the state's economy may not be certain in the years to come.
Whether leaders want to except it or not the landscape of how the state does business has changed forever. A slowdown in the years to come according to demographers is not necessarily a bad thing but helps people get back to basics of what is really important in life.
Many native Floridians remember how Florida has reinvented itself before when orange groves & ranches transitioned to a fantasyland of retirement, from vacation destinations to the Caribbean vacation spot of the south.
Other states dependent on growth are taking advantage of a slower business by thinking how they can diversify their market place. What's required is economic diversity in areas of health services, shipping ports, information technology and other vital areas. When the depression ends, the state needs to have a proactive plan on how to adjust to slower growth but maintain a healthy economy.
The boomers of the fifties may not retire just yet due to losses in investments and 401(k) retirement plans. One thing is for sure, all the lawsuits dealing with water shortages and arguments over dwindling water-supplies will be mitigated as people move to higher ground.
The question of "what happens if we stop growing" never occurred in the minds of them that viewed Florida as always growth-based and the fastest growing state in the country.
If it's any consolation, not everything is devastating. In fact, many native Floridians who in times past rented, are now able to purchase both finished and unfinished homes due to the economic slowdown. Other benefits may include less crowed schools, reduced lines at the pumps, continued discounts for shoppers, and less stressful commutes to work each morning.
Perhaps slower growth will be the future of Florida, but the state will adjust sooner than later.
Some predict that growth of the state may rise between 2015 and 2020 surpassing New York but for now, people can get back to the "why" they enjoyed Florida in the first place, sandy-white beaches, attractions, low-taxes and just a greener Florida.
While thousands are leaving the state, analyst predict as much as 500,000 in the months to come, the state could face a potential calamity because of it's reliance on population growth due to the lack of diversity.
On a good note, leaders now have a hiatus to rethink how the state's structure and dependence on growth affects the budget. Assumptions that huge growth due to sunny beaches, and attractions that in times past invigorated the state's economy may not be certain in the years to come.
Whether leaders want to except it or not the landscape of how the state does business has changed forever. A slowdown in the years to come according to demographers is not necessarily a bad thing but helps people get back to basics of what is really important in life.
Many native Floridians remember how Florida has reinvented itself before when orange groves & ranches transitioned to a fantasyland of retirement, from vacation destinations to the Caribbean vacation spot of the south.
Other states dependent on growth are taking advantage of a slower business by thinking how they can diversify their market place. What's required is economic diversity in areas of health services, shipping ports, information technology and other vital areas. When the depression ends, the state needs to have a proactive plan on how to adjust to slower growth but maintain a healthy economy.
The boomers of the fifties may not retire just yet due to losses in investments and 401(k) retirement plans. One thing is for sure, all the lawsuits dealing with water shortages and arguments over dwindling water-supplies will be mitigated as people move to higher ground.
The question of "what happens if we stop growing" never occurred in the minds of them that viewed Florida as always growth-based and the fastest growing state in the country.
If it's any consolation, not everything is devastating. In fact, many native Floridians who in times past rented, are now able to purchase both finished and unfinished homes due to the economic slowdown. Other benefits may include less crowed schools, reduced lines at the pumps, continued discounts for shoppers, and less stressful commutes to work each morning.
Perhaps slower growth will be the future of Florida, but the state will adjust sooner than later.
posted by michael at
7:54 AM
