More info:
Florida Economy, State Spending & Taxes
Gross State Product:
* $472.1 Billion (2000)
Economy Strengths:
* International Trade (40% of all U.S. exports to Latin and South America pass through Florida)
* Tourism - with 58.9 million visitors to Florida in 1999, this industry had an economic impact of $46.7 billion on the state and directly employed 839,541 Floridians. Click here for additional tourism facts and statistics.
* Agriculture – Florida leads the southeast in farm income.
Florida produces about 75% of the U.S. oranges and accounts for about 40% of the world's orange juce supply.
* Construction - This industry's strength results from the steady stream of new residents and visitors who are welcomed to Florida each year.
* Services - growth in high tech, financial & back office operations
* Software - many small, entrepreneurial companies
* Health Technology (medical, biotech, laboratories)
* University Research - more than $500 million per year in sponsored research at Florida universities
Source:http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95
Goodnight, all. This has been an exhausting day. I hope and pray Terri and her family are able to get some rest tonight, and that we all wake up to good news.