Economic Gardening – GrowFL Program Summary November 2009 Through September 1, 2011

Economic Gardening is an entrepreneurial alternative to traditional economic development
strategies. This new approach uses high end corporate level tools and cutting edge scientific
concepts to help 2nd stage entrepreneurial growth companies identify markets, monitor
competitors, track industry trends, locate customer clusters on maps, use search engine
optimization/social media for marketing and various other customized research.

The State of Florida approved funding for an economic gardening technical assistance pilot
program (Section 288.1082, F.S.) in a special legislative session during the summer of 2009 and
then again in the 2010 regular legislative session. The program was established to create new
jobs and build a stronger economy for current and future generations of Floridians. Total
funding for the program was $3.5M ($1.5M in 2009 and $2M in 2010).

The economic gardening technical assistance pilot program’s purpose was to stimulate Florida’s
economy by providing technical assistance to 2nd stage businesses with an objective of growing
sales. New job creation would result from increased sales. Technical assistance resources
included, but were not limited to: access to informational services, consulting services,
information on markets, consumers and competitors, geographic information systems and search
engine marketing. In 2009, it was estimated that 5,000 to 7,000 Florida companies met the
criteria for the program – privately held, resident firms employing 10-50 workers, generating $1
million to $25 million revenue, within an industry identified on the State of Florida’s Qualified
Target Industry List, and having revenue and employment growth in three of their last five years.

Full Report: http://www.innovationamerica.us/images/stories/2011/GrowFL-Final-Report-Summary-2009-2011-20110909210637.pdf