First Coast Manufacturers Association Commends Florida Senate Committee For Passage Of Bill SB98

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jan. 13, 2016 - PRLog -- The First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA) joins the Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) in commending the Florida State Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee for passing SB 98, the Sales Tax Exemption for Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Dorothy Hukill, will make permanent the temporary sales tax exemption granted on manufacturing machinery and equipment in 2014.

“Jacksonville is an expanding market for manufacturers and support from our legislators on this issue can help bring more manufacturers to the First Coast,” said Joe Durkin, Government Relations Chairman for FCMA. “This exemption enables manufacturers to purchase high-tech equipment, grow their business and add positions to their company. It makes Florida a competitive state and the vote of support by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee shows their level of investment back into their communities and Florida’s families.”

The Committee heard from manufacturer Brain Rist, President and CEO of Storm Smart Industries in Fort Myers, Florida. “After the passage of the temporary sales tax exemption in 2014, Storm Smart Industries was able to purchase a $400,000 piece of equipment,“ said Rist. “This allowed our company to expand and we added 25 positions as a result. Moving forward, a permanent exemption would allow us to buy more equipment and repeat the process.”

The temporary sales tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and equipment was passed by the Florida legislature in 2014 and will expire in 2017. “The vote today shows the 321,000 Floridians employed in manufacturing that their legislators are taking action to secure a strong future for their families,” said Nancy Stephens, Executive Director of MAF. “For the past 12 consecutive months, manufacturing has added 5,000 new jobs to Florida and the permanent sales tax exemption on manufacturing machinery and equipment will allow this trend to continue.”

FCMA applauds Senator Hukill and Rep. Magar for filing legislation for the 2016 Session that would make permanent the temporary sales tax on manufacturing machinery and equipment. FCMA encourages all the members of the Florida Legislature to support the manufacturing industry so we can secure even more jobs and diversify Florida’s economy.

###

About FCMA:

Founded in 1989, First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA) is a regional non-profit trade association representing nearly 300 manufacturers and related businesses in the Northeast Florida region.  Its members employ more than 40 percent of the 30,000 manufacturing workers in the region and generate nearly 15 percent of the total gross regional product.  These members represent all facets of the manufacturing community.  FCMA’s goal is to influence public sentiment on the importance of manufacturing to the region’s economy, offer training and educational workshops, and provide a unified voice to elected officials. For additional information on us go to www.fcmaweb.com