Broward Jobs, Affordable Housing, Transportation Among Top Priorities For County
Nearly 1,000 business and civic leaders gathered at the Broward Workshop’s 17th annual State of the County Forum on Wednesday to review the county’s economic progress and discuss plans for the future.
Held at the Broward County Convention Center, the event highlighted last year’s economic achievements while addressing pressing concerns such as job growth, housing affordability, and infrastructure development.
Employment Trends and Workforce Needs
Despite business expansion and growth in 2024, Broward County has 7,945 fewer jobs than it did at the same time last year. With an estimated 92,000 new jobs needed by 2030 to keep up with population growth, this decline presents a challenge.
However, the county still boasts a job surplus, with 35,152 open positions compared to 31,278 job seekers.
Infrastructure and Transportation Initiatives
Broward County Mayor Beam Furr emphasized the county’s commitment to improving public transit and infrastructure. One key initiative is a proposed commuter rail line extending to Deerfield Beach, aimed at alleviating road congestion and enhancing mobility.
Additionally, the ongoing Convention Center expansion and adjacent hotel project are proving to be valuable investments, with a strong lineup of industry events set to generate thousands of hotel stays in the coming years.
Furr also acknowledged the contributions of public sector employees, contrasting Broward’s approach with companies that prioritize productivity metrics over workplace empowerment.
The Housing Affordability Crisis
One of the biggest challenges facing Broward County remains access to affordable housing. More than half of residents are considered housing burdened, meaning they spend over 30% of their income on rent or mortgage payments.
“There are multiple factors driving this issue—an influx of Northerners moving to Florida, hedge funds purchasing starter homes, and limited land for new development,” Furr explained. “All of these put immense pressure on the housing market and workforce.”
The median home price in Broward reached approximately $454,000 in February, marking a 7% increase from the previous year.
Population Growth and Economic Mobility
Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson warned that rising costs are driving younger residents out of the state. Among those aged 20 to 29, more people are leaving Florida than moving in—an indicator that job seekers, new families, and first-time homebuyers are struggling with affordability.
At the same time, Florida continues to experience substantial income migration. Between 2021 and 2022, the state gained $36 billion in net income, with $2 billion flowing into Broward County alone. The Florida Chamber projects the county’s population will grow by 261,000 by 2030, with the state adding 2.8 million residents overall.
Despite this economic growth, challenges remain. The state still has 713,000 children living in poverty, including 63,000 in Broward.
A Call for Collaboration
Wilson emphasized that bipartisan cooperation will be essential in addressing key issues such as infrastructure, housing, and education to support Broward’s growing population and business environment.
“People are tired of the political divide,” he said. “If we need to create 80,000 more jobs in Broward by 2030 to lift people out of poverty and support small businesses, we should all agree that this is a priority—regardless of political affiliation.”
With a strong economy, increasing population, and ongoing investments in infrastructure, Broward County stands at a pivotal moment. The challenge now is ensuring sustainable growth that benefits businesses and residents alike.
Source: SFBJ
