Florida's chief financial officer addresses Chamber Banquet

Jeff Atwater, Florida’s chief financial officer, delivers a speech to the crowd at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet Friday night.

By: Deborah Buckhalter | Jackson County Floridan
Published: January 27, 2012

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater was guest speaker at the 84 th annual Jackson County Chamber of Commerce banquet, held Friday night at the National Guard Armory just west of Marianna.

In his comments, Atwater briefly recalled his days as fraternity brother to local business leaders Matt Fuqua and John Milton at the University of Florida, then moved on to give a short overview of Florida’s economy at the dawn of 2012.

Atwater said he was encouraged by cost-saving measures that have been taken by state leaders in recent years, and pointed to things that indicate the state is pulling through its struggles.

“I wouldn’t trade our place for any place in the country,” he said. “At this moment, we have a 9.9 percent unemployment rate; we were over 10 percent for years. Many jobs have been lost, and it’s been a real struggle; no part of our state has been spared; it’s been deep and real…but people are trying to make it work. Standard and Poor downgraded our country’s credit rating, but in the same week, Standard and Poor upgraded ours (Florida’s).” Atwater also pointed out that thousands of private sector jobs have been created in recent months, despite these setbacks, and said he felt that recovery will continue because of the state’s overall philosophy under its current leadership.

Atwater credited legislators in part for making the difference, saying they started trimming costs as sales tax revenues and other sources of income dropped instead of raising taxes to fill the gap.

He said the state also needs to continue its trend toward making things less difficult for businesses to operate, by paring away any unnecessary licensure and permitting complications.

Atwater said he was honored to speak at the Chamber event because it celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit he believes is key to helping Florida continue on its path to economic recovery. He said state leaders stand ready to help business owners realize their dreams.

Florida, he said should be “a place that says, if you have an idea, a dream, a goal, do it here. As the recession wanes, as we pick ourselves up and people begin to move again, they will choose Florida (and other places) that celebrate” the spirit of entrepreneurs, Atwater said.

He received a standing ovation after his speech.