South Florida summit tackles industry issues
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Close to 300 marine industry and local government representatives from four South Florida counties – Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe – came together on Wednesday at the to discuss some of the issues on which the future of the boating business hinges.
During the Eight Annual Marine Summit, organized by the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the four main challenges discussed were: water access, workforce shortages, marina and boatyard insurance costs and high property taxes.
The goal of the summit was to identify solutions achievable by next year’s summit, and organizers suggested the event was successful.
Among the proposed solutions were: tax incentives, the assessment of waterfront property based on current – not potential – use, the purchase of development rights from waterfront property owners, better industry recruiting, and boosting efforts to spread news of the benefits of boating, both economic and recreational, according to an article in yesterday’s Palm Beach Post.
“If the South Florida crowd can get together and speak as one voice, you will get so much more done,” said summit speaker and State Rep. Jack Selier, D-Wilton Manors, the newspaper reported.
- For more of the latest news, click here.
