Welcome to the New Website for Associated Industries of Florida...The Voice of Florida Business!

Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense

As the state affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers, AIF is committed to providing a member venue to discuss and advance the interests of Florida’s’ manufacturing community in all sectors. Florida’s manufacturing sector is the highest indirect job creator of any employment sector in the state — three indirect jobs for every manufacturing job. In other words, Florida’s roughly 325,000 manufacturing jobs create nearly one million additional jobs for Floridians. The state’s manufacturing sector is also a significant provider of high- wage and high value-added jobs. Florida’s need to grow manufacturing jobs is unquestionable as our state continues to diversify its economy.

Now in its fifth session, AIF’s Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense Council (MAD) has established itself as an effective advocate for pro-manufacturing policies. In 2013, the Council was instrumental in passing the “Manufacturing Competitiveness Act” - legislation that has given Florida manufacturers the ability to effectively respond to national and world market opportunities and effectively moved Florida into a more competitive recruiting position among states seeking to reinvigorate the manufacturing sector of their economy. Additionally, the MAD Council played a key role in passing a three-year elimination of sales tax on manufacturing equipment – a change that has benefited Florida manufacturers as they have reinvested and grown their businesses. In 2016, AIF will look to build on its successes on manufacturing, aerospace & defense issues by SUPPORTING the following:

  • permanently repealing sales tax on manufacturing equipment;
  • repealing the tax imposed on commercial leases;
  • statutory reenacting of enterprise zones;
  • creating capital investment incentives for the sector, including tax credits for research and development;
  • continuing efforts of the state to enhance the manufacturing workforce as a career choice for middle and high school students by replicating the Northwest Florida manufacturing career academy model; and
  • renewing of the Qualified Defense & Space Contractor tax refund.