OEV
Newsletter 

September 5, 2025

 Office of Economic Vitality Internationally Recognized for Strategic Redevelopment and Economic Equity 

The Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) has earned two international awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), spotlighting Tallahassee-Leon County as a leader in inclusive and innovative economic growth.

“These awards are a testament to the power of intentional collaboration, creativity, and community-driven economic development,” said Keith Bowers, Director of the Office of Economic Vitality. “We are proud to see our efforts to foster equity, entrepreneurship, and place-making recognized on an international stage.”

SoMo Walls won Gold & BBET won Bronze

SoMo Walls

Black Business Expo Tallahassee (BBET) 2025

How FSU’s Jim Moran College Prepares the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs with Dr. Susan Fiorito

Host Keith Bowers, Director of the Office of Economic Vitality, interviews Dr. Susan Fiorito, founding Dean of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University.

Dr. Fiorito shares her personal journey from high school teacher and retail business owner to higher education leader, eventually helping establish the nation’s only stand-alone College of Entrepreneurship. She explains how the college differs from traditional business schools by focusing on startups, creativity, and problem-solving rather than corporate careers.

Tallahassee-Leon County’s Cost of

Living Remains Below National

Average in Q2 2025

Tallahassee-Leon County's affordable lifestyle is not just a feeling; it's backed by the numbers, thanks to the latest Cost of Living Index (COLI) from the Council for Community and Economic Research. The COLI is a premier research tool that measures regional price differences for consumer goods and services, helping us make accurate comparisons with other urban areas across the nation. 

The Q2 2025 COLI shows that the Tallahassee Urban Area's overall composite index is 93.9, which is 6.1% below the national average. Among the ten Florida communities that participated, Tallahassee-Leon County had the third lowest cost of living composite index for Q2 2025 (after Jacksonville and Orlando) and had the lowest cost of living statewide for grocery items and utilities.

At OEV, we're proud to showcase Tallahassee-Leon County as a place where you can thrive. A lower cost of living means more opportunities to invest in your future, support your local community, and enjoy all the amazing things our community has to offer! 

Partnering for Progress—Share Your Perspective on Local Workforce Needs

We invite you to complete the Regional Workforce Survey, a collaborative effort by the Tallahassee Talent Development Council. Your feedback is crucial, as the results will help shape our workforce development priorities for the coming years—ensuring that training programs and resources meet the needs of local employers like you. Thank you for sharing your insights and for helping us strengthen the talent pipeline in our community! Only one survey per employer is needed.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, please complete it by
Friday, September 12.

Notable News

Energy Costs and Constraints Are Reshaping Site Selection in 2025

Grant Miller
Area Development

This Is the Marketing Strategy Every Small Business Can Afford 

Murali Nethi  
Entrepreneur

Upcoming Opportunities
from Our Partners

Working Class Wednesday The 4th Quarter Fall Social

Working Class Wednesday–The Ultimate Networking Mixer returns Wednesday, Sept. 24 for the Fall 4th Quarter Social at The Monroe! Network with the city’s top professionals, build connections before the year wraps up, and enjoy great vibes, food, and conversation.

Event sponsored by the Office of Economic Vitality.

Read Past Issues of the OEV Newsletter Online!

Delve into past issues of the OEV Newsletter to catch up on updates, insights, economic development initiatives, programs, and opportunities in Tallahassee-Leon County!