High Level Talking Points: Why Miami
Miami-Dade County Snapshot
Miami is THE global community of the future. It’s a vibrant, youthful, culturally diverse region embracing newcomers with new ideas from all over the world.
- 2.7 Million+ Population / 1.3 Million + (Miami-Dade County) and 6.2 Million+ Population / 3.1 Million + Workforce (South Florida/TriCounty Region)
- With a Gross Regional Product $344 Billion+, South Florida’s economy would rank as the 39th largest economy in the world if it were a country.
- 4th Fastest Growing Large U.S. City (Wallethub 2020)
- Top 25 Major American Cities of the Future (fDI Magazine 2020)
- 1st in Foreign Born population – 2nd in Foreign Born population with Advanced Degree
Miami offers a Business-Friendly, Welcoming Environment.
- No State or Local Personal Income Tax
- Low Corporate Income Tax
- Positive business climate and supportive regulatory environment
- Miami ranks 6th for US Small Business Activity (Kauffman Foundation 2019)
Miami is not only cultivating top-level talent at home, this diverse innovative community is a magnet for world-class talent across industries.
- 375,000 college students at four R1- and R2-ranked research universities, award-winning colleges and training programs
- 800,000 elementary/secondary students in region at award-winning K-12 schools, including nationally ranked programs.
- 4 Miami-Dade High Schools among U.S. top 100 (U.S. News & World Report 2020)
- #4 School for Advanced Studies (All five campuses)
- #52 Young Women’s Preparatory Academy
- #72 Design & Architecture Senior High School (DASH)
- #94 Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
- 4 Miami-Dade High Schools among U.S. top 100 (U.S. News & World Report 2020)
Miami is an open landscape built for innovation that has become a technology destination.
- #1 for U.S. Startup Activity (Kauffman Foundation 2020)
- #1 City for Women Entrepreneurs (Small Business Trends, Sept. 2019)
- #2 for Tech Job Creation in the U.S. (Florida, EMSI & Dice)
- Diverse startup ecosystem attracts entrepreneurs, accelerators, funders globally
- Areas of strength for MiamiTech: AI, AR, Blockchain, FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech and Cybersecurity (EMSI 2020; MDBC Annual Report)
- 100+ organizations driving Innovation Ecosystem: incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, entrepreneurial education, and professional development programs.
Miami is a Global Business Hub – Miamians are “Global from Go”
- 1,300 Multinational Businesses thrive in the region (U.S. Census, ACS 2019)
- 2nd largest International Banking Center in the country after NYC (5,200+ banking & finance firms, 223 HQs & 29 Foreign Banks in Miami-Dade)
- 3rd Largest Concentration of Consular Corps and Foreign Trade Offices (100+ combined offices/consulates)
- One of only 2 certified Pharmahubs in the world (1st was Brussels Airport)
- MIA is #1 in international freight and 3rd largest volume of international passengers in the country. South Florida boasts access to 3 International Airports.
The Miami MSA is Connected To Each Other and the World Miami-Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties
- Network Access Point (NAP) of the Americas Provides High Speed Connectivity
- Global City of the Future for Connectivity (Only U.S. City included in fDI Magazine’s 2019 rankings)
- Tri-Rail and Brightline commuter trains connect the region often in an hour or less
- Metrorail connects Miami-Dade residents to downtown Miami and Miami International Airport, with the free Metromover creating a connected loop throughout downtown’s business district and cultural institutions including the PAMM and Frost Science
- Commute times compare favorably to competitors including Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Washington DC, and New York
Miami Offers a Warm Welcoming Lifestyle for Families, Singles and Couples
- Unbeatable weather with 250+ sunny days & 76° temperature
- 100+ museums and cultural institutions
- World-class dining and entertainment including year-round recreation and festivals (Art Basel, SoBe Wine & Food, Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival)
- Lower cost of living compared to competitors including New York, Boston, Seattle, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Chicago
- Known to be a tolerant, open-minded, diverse community
ASSORTED TOP RANKINGS: “WE’RE #1!” (No, seriously, we ARE!) #1 Rankings Miami’s pretty proud of:
- City to do Business in Latin America (America Economia)
- Happiest Place to Work in U.S. (Forbes)
- City for Small Business Growth (Kauffman Foundation 2019)
- City for Startup Activity (Kauffman Foundation, 2020 – 3rd year in a row)
- Cruise Port in the World (PortMiami)
- Most Transit-Accessible U.S. Airport (Mobility Score)
- S. Airport for International Freight: Miami International Airport
- Foreign-Born Population (among Large U.S. Metros)
- City for Women Entrepreneurs (Small Business Trends, 2019; examples listed above)
- FL County: Healthy Lifestyle Choices (Livability.com)