Bob Swindell, President & CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance
In an interview with Invest:, Bob Swindell, president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, discussed key milestones over the past year, the region’s economic growth, and strategies for the future, focusing on industry diversification, housing affordability, port operations and maintaining South Florida’s competitive edge in aviation and yachting.
What have been the key milestones and achievements for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance over the last year and a half?
Over the past year and a half, the Alliance has focused heavily on industry targets, particularly those that already have a solid foundation in Broward County. We aim to build on this base to attract more companies and encourage relocations. Aviation remains our leading industry, followed closely by medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing. We’re also actively working to recruit regional and national headquarters to Fort Lauderdale. In aviation, for instance, we’re focusing on areas like pilot simulator training and aviation finance — think of companies that help airlines lease aircraft and engines. Fort Lauderdale has a unique opportunity to attract more businesses in these sectors.
One of the most striking statistics for me is the income migration we’ve seen in Broward County over the past few years. Income migration is a lagging indicator, as it reflects tax return changes. The Florida Chamber Foundation tracks this by analyzing where people are filing their tax returns. In the last three years, income migration to Broward County has increased fivefold. To put that in perspective, the total income migration was $1.7 billion last year, up from $271 million in 2022. That’s a staggering jump. This trend confirms what we’ve all been hearing: many people are choosing to live and work in Greater Fort Lauderdale and South Florida. The statistic was so remarkable that I asked the Florida Chamber Foundation to double-check it, and it only includes income migration, not other assets that people bring with them.
How does the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance collaborate with other regional economic leaders, and what challenges are you facing as a region?
We work closely with our counterparts in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Although we compete, we have great relationships and often meet to discuss the trends we’re seeing. The growth we’ve experienced in South Florida has been phenomenal, but we’re mindful of the need to sustain it. Retaining companies is a big focus, as is identifying any barriers that might push businesses to leave the area. Some of the key challenges we’re facing are similar to those seen nationwide, including the cost of housing and transportation. Housing, in particular, is a major issue. We’ve enjoyed tremendous growth, but we now need to find ways to increase the housing inventory. The challenge is encouraging builders to construct affordable workforce housing. We’re talking about housing for people who are gainfully employed and struggling to afford living in Broward.
What steps are being taken to address the housing challenge in Broward County?
Housing affordability is definitely impacting recruitment. I spoke with a contractor recently who is seeing this firsthand. The firm had trouble recruiting new employees, like recent graduates in building construction from the University of Florida, because those entry-level salaries don’t stretch far enough to cover the cost of living in areas such as downtown Fort Lauderdale. The high demand and popularity of the area have made it difficult for people to put down roots here. So, we’re trying to find ways to encourage developers to build more moderately priced housing.
Broward County recently developed a 10-year housing affordability plan, one of the first in the country. The plan includes several strategies to encourage developers to build mid-market housing, which may not be as profitable as high-end housing but is in high demand. Some of the incentives include speeding up permitting, providing cash and density bonuses, and rezoning older retail spaces for multifamily housing. We’re especially looking at older retail on major transit corridors, which are prime candidates for redevelopment. These areas have the right density, and with improved transit options like buses and eventually light rail, we hope to reduce living costs for new families by offering great transit choices and more affordable housing. This could help new residents afford to live and work in Fort Lauderdale, setting down roots in the community.
How is the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance working to harness South Florida’s potential as a megaregion for future economic growth?
A big part of our work is effective storytelling. South Florida is known for its beachside communities, great weather, and strategic geographic location, but it’s our job to highlight the region’s evolving industries and growing economic potential. We’re maturing beyond a service-oriented economy. For example, we now have high-tech manufacturing, including additive manufacturing. ATI, a publicly traded company, is building a 140,000-square-foot facility in Margate to manufacture aviation and aerospace parts, including work for the Department of Defense. People don’t typically associate advanced manufacturing with Broward County, but it’s happening here. We need to communicate that our corporate fabric is changing. Yes, we still have the qualities people traditionally associate with Fort Lauderdale, but we also offer strong career opportunities in industries like manufacturing and aviation. These sectors are growing, offering good-paying jobs and clear career pathways for residents.
Which industries have you identified as key growth engines for the economy?
We’ve seen continued growth in the aviation industry, with many maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities expanding in South Florida. Some of our best projects this year involve these types of facilities. For example, Ontic, a U.K.-based company, is opening its first U.S. facility in Miramar. When I spoke with its Chief Operating Officer about why it chose Broward County, he mentioned the high volume of aircraft from Central and South America that come to the United States for service. That geographic advantage was a key factor in their decision, along with the strong support felt from our team during the relocation process.
Telling these success stories, particularly in sectors like aviation, is essential to attracting more businesses and investment. We’re not just competing with other cities — we’re reassuring companies already here that Broward County is the right place for them. If they face challenges like housing affordability, we want them to know we’re actively working on solutions, such as the county’s 10-year housing affordability plan. While the problems are often more publicized than the solutions, we’re making significant strides, and we need to ensure the business community knows that we’re addressing these challenges.
How are economic factors like interest rates and labor trends influencing growth in Broward County?
It’s always difficult to predict future interest rates, and recent higher interest rates have impacted business relocations not only in Broward but in other locations as well. Many companies put their expansion plans on hold to see how the economy would fare in the face of higher costs of living and rising interest rates. On the labor front, Broward County has seen impressive job growth over the past decade, especially in sectors like medical devices, pharmaceutical manufacturing, aviation and healthcare. We’re seeing a healthy diversification of the economy. The labor market, which was heavily tilted toward employees for the past few years, is now balancing out between employers and workers, which is promising for sustained growth.
What are the top priorities for maintaining growth in Broward County, and how do you plan to keep key industries strong?
One of our key priorities is ensuring that we don’t become complacent. Broward County has seen incredible growth, but we need to stay hungry and focused on retaining businesses and attracting top talent. A big part of that is addressing housing affordability, which remains a challenge. If we don’t tackle issues like this, businesses may struggle to attract and retain the best talent. We’re also committed to supporting our boating and yachting industries, which are critical to the region’s identity and economic success. With the ongoing annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, we always have a chance to reinforce our reputation as the “Venice of America” and the yachting capital of the world. Looking ahead, with our well-diversified economy and numerous industry clusters, I’m confident South Florida will continue to grow and thrive.
