For sustainable growth, state needs to diversify

Here's the thing about economic history. Those who forget it are doomed to repeat it.

Let me explain.

In the years leading up to the Great Recession, the state of Florida, and Southwest Florida, were booming. The GDP growth in 2005 was through the roof, with percentage measures of growth of 10.4, 10.5, 8.4, and 5.1 in Collier, Lee, Sarasota, and Tampa-St. Pete, respectively. Florida's GDP measure of 6.7% doubled that of the 3.3% reported for the country as a whole.