2026 Advocacy Agenda
The Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council is a coalition of manufacturing champions from across the state of Florida united to elevate the issues that are most important to their manufacturing stakeholders. Its members collaborate to identify the advocacy agenda below and support the most pressing issues for the industry.
Legislative Priority:
- Support Senate Bill 528 / House Bill 483 – Chief Manufacturing Officer and Manufacturing Initiatives
Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Nan Cobb, this legislation strengthens Florida’s manufacturing ecosystem through dedicated leadership, workforce development, and statewide promotion.
Key provisions include:
- Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO): Institutionalizes a CMO within FloridaCommerce to lead statewide manufacturing initiatives, coordinate across agencies, and ensure manufacturing remains a strategic priority for Florida’s economy.
- Florida Manufacturers’ Workforce Development Grant Program: Provides grants to small manufacturers to adopt advanced technologies, improve cybersecurity infrastructure, and expand training and career awareness programs across K–12, postsecondary, and workforce systems.
- Biennial State of Manufacturing Report: Requires a comprehensive report on the economic impact, strengths, and opportunities of Florida’s manufacturing sector.
- Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign: Launches a statewide marketing effort to promote Florida-made products, raise awareness of manufacturing careers, and increase consumer and business support for the sector.
Advocacy Platform:
The Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council advances key issues aligned with its legislative priorities to strengthen Florida’s manufacturing sector and enhance its global reach.
- Talent Development and Retention – Fostering a pipeline of skilled workers is essential to the future of manufacturing in Florida. The Council supports initiatives that improve early engagement, upskilling, alignment between education and industry, and removing barriers to talent attraction and retention.
- Early Awareness and Engagement:
- Promote manufacturing as a viable and exciting career path beginning in elementary and middle school, with dedicated funding for career awareness campaigns.
- Strengthen dual enrollment, AP manufacturing programs, and similar initiatives to expose students to manufacturing technology and processes.
- Equip guidance counselors and educators with up-to-date resources on manufacturing careers and training pathways.
- Alignment Between Education and Industry:
- Ensure curriculum alignment between industry needs and academic programs through partnerships with the Department of Education, postsecondary institutions, and trade associations.
- Support the creation of regional manufacturing training centers and technology demonstration hubs to provide multiple entry points into manufacturing careers.
- Encourage industry participation in curriculum development, internships, and mentorships.
- Address barriers to hiring qualified technical instructors and streamline certification processes.
- Workforce Retention and Inclusion:
- Update and expand apprenticeship program requirements to better meet industry demand and support small and mid-sized manufacturers.
- Support second chance hiring and re-entry programs, including manufacturing training in correctional facilities.
- Incentivize employee retention and advancement through state funding and tax credits, including IWT and QTI programs.
- Florida’s Competitive Edge – The Council supports policies that position Florida as a leader in manufacturing by strengthening supply chain resilience, reducing regulatory burdens, and enhancing the state’s business climate.
- Tax and Incentive Programs:
- Support reestablishing the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program and expanding the Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC).
- Protect and enhance existing manufacturing tax exemptions and credits.
- Establish a Florida supplier tax credit to strengthen in-state supply chains.
- Regulatory Efficiency and Site Readiness:
- Encourage streamlined and concurrent permitting processes.
- Support the institutionalized CMO role to evaluate regulations and improve coordination.
- Advance certified, ready-to-build manufacturing sites.
- Buy/Made in Florida and Re-shoring Initiatives:
- Launch a Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign.
- Support re-shoring of critical components and goods.
- Supply Chain Resilience and Infrastructure Investment:
- Promote investment in port dredging and modernization.
- Expand Free Trade Zones, Enterprise Zones, and Opportunity Zones.
- Address logistics challenges including truck parking, toll access, and intermodal connectivity.
- Industry Modernization – The Council supports innovation, technology adoption, and sustainability to ensure Florida’s manufacturers remain globally competitive.
- Education and Technology Exposure:
- Expand training in robotics, automation, and energy efficiency.
- Support “Train the Trainer” programs.
- Encourage collaboration between manufacturers and universities.
- Smart Manufacturing and Cybersecurity:
- Support automation and digital manufacturing adoption.
- Assist manufacturers in meeting federal cybersecurity requirements and Level 2 readiness.
- Leverage AI and digital tools for supply chain management.
- Sustainability and Infrastructure:
- Encourage sustainable manufacturing and energy-efficient technologies.
- Promote resilient logistics infrastructure investments.