Florida's low corporate taxes not its biggest draw, survey finds

[Roland99]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-corporate-tax-rate-20110302,0,2169661.story

First, Pelliconi wanted to be near its customers, in this case commercial bottlers in Zephyrhills and Madison. And when the company chose Orlando over Jacksonville and sites in Georgia last year, it was because of Orlando International's air service and Central Florida's suitable manufacturing space. Also, it received $72,000 in economic incentives from the county and state.

"Florida's tax rate was an advantage," said Pelliconi Florida President Tony Chapple. Still, "we could have opened in other states, but the practical matter is that we didn't have a lot of choice about where the plant would be."

Florida's corporate-tax rate has become a pivotal driver of state politics ever since Gov. Rick Scott proposed cutting education and other expenses to give businesses a tax break. He wants to eliminate the corporate tax during the next seven years in hopes of luring more companies to the state.

But in a recent survey of business executives for Area Development magazine, corporate taxes ranked sixth among the most important factors when companies relocate or expand — trailing transportation, labor costs, tax exemptions, occupancy and construction, and tax incentives.

Gee...and {D}ick{head} Scott wants to totally eliminate corporate tax. What a great legacy he'll leave behind. :eyes:

[annabanana]

1. I guess Florida can't out-Bangla Bangladesh. . . . . n/t

[muntrv]

2. If it were about taxes, then South Dakota should be the most populous state.