USF Research Park receives international award
The University of South Florida Research Park has been named the 2022 Outstanding Research Park by the Association of University Research Parks — an international nonprofit organization that represents research parks and innovation districts. This award encourages continuous evaluation and development of best practices for the research park community and USF’s selection for the award is a testament to its execution on vision and the science conducted within.
Andrew 30 Years Later: A More Resilient South Florida
The 30th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew’s assault on South Florida is days away, and for the uninitiated and those who may have forgotten, here is what the Category 5 storm did to southern Miami-Dade County and elsewhere. Interviews this week with businessmen, economists, forecasters and other experts show substantial improvements over the last three decades. Many agree that another storm of Andrew’s magnitude is likely to be mitigated by preventive measures taken over the years, though South Florida’s growing status as a preferred place for out-of-staters to relocate has raised uncertainties about the extent of damages another massive storm could cause.
WEG Study: Florida Education Champions touts millions in economic benefits from 2022 sports-betting initiative
FEC, a political committee that seeks to expand online sports gambling, released a new study on Wednesday analyzing the economic and revenue benefits from its 2022 proposed voting initiative. The FEC commissioned report found that the political committee’s proposed constitutional amendment is expected to generate $350 million in state and local tax revenue annually, including $247 million that would be directed to the Florida Department of Education’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. “The findings represent the significant benefits our proposed constitutional amendment will provide to Florida taxpayers, consumers, and to our public education system.
WEG New Study: Rooftop Solar Industry Creates $18.3B in Economic Impact for Florida
The rooftop solar industry supports sustain ed economic development throughout Florida and generates $18.3 billion in economic impact, according to a new study issued today by Conservatives for Clean Energy Florida (CCE). The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG), a Coral Gables, FL economic economic consulting firm, produced the study, Comprehensive Economic Development Impacts of the Rooftop Solar Power Industry on the State of Florida. Among its key findings, the study assessed the economic value of rooftop solar in Florida, determining that the industry provides a combined $3.2 billion in household income for Florida workers and contributes $10.6 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.
Miami Today Quotes Tony Villamil: Economists agree inflation may hit 5.5% this year
Tony Villamil, Founder and Senior Advisor of an economic consulting firm, The Washington Economics Group Inc., said businesses and people are aware that the level of prices is going up to 4% and in that sense, people are vigilant about what might happen. “It’s a wait-and-see attitude and at this stage I haven’t seen businesses rushing to change their price levels even though we are beginning to notice that in some areas,” Mr. Villamil said.
Florida Sees Surge of New Residents Moving from High-Tax States
There’s new evidence to help show that many Northerners are packing their belongings — and bank accounts — and heading to Florida and other zero income-tax states. Newly released IRS data for 2018 shows Florida — which has no personal income tax — had a 3 percent increase over 2017 in the migration of net personal income — the dollars coming into the county versus what’s going out. Americans are taking a closer look at how much they’re paying in taxes and moving to a lower-tax state like Florida can make a big difference come Tax Day.
WEG Founder and Senior Advisor Quoted in South Florida Sun Sentinel on Florida Governors Trade Missions
Tony Villamil, Founder and Senior Advisor of the Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG), was quoted in an article by Skyler Swisher published on May 31, 2019 on the trade missions around the world by Florida Governors leading to questions over whether taxpayers are footing the bill for politicians to enjoy lavish, self-serving outings at their expense.
Trade War Thrusts South Florida Businesses into Uncertainty: A Questions of Survival
In an article published by Sun-Sentinel on May 15, 2019, David Lyons interviewed Tony Villamil, a long-time economist who heads The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG) of Coral Gables. During his interview, Villamil called the trade warfare “very short-slighted policy. The two largest economies in the world should work this out.”
Prime Interest Rate Hikes Benefit Biggest of Depositors Most
The Washington Economics Group Tony Villamil explains the math behind why larger savings incurs higher interest. “Usually banks tend to pay higher rates for higher amounts because then you can use that deposit and lend the money out,” Villamil said.
Tony Villamil Interviewed by Miami Today on his Economic Outlook for 2014
In the January 16th issue of Miami Today, reporter John Charles Robbins interviewed WEG Founder and Principal Tony Villamil on Miami-Dade’s economic outlook for 2014. According to Dr. Villamil, areas expected to perform well are Leisure and Hospitality, Retail, Wholesale Trade, Professional, Business and Financial services.
WEG Founder and Principal Interviewed by the Daily Business Review on the Economic Outlook for 2014
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, was interviewed by Mike Seemuth for a January 6th article in the Daily Business Review on the Economic Outlook for 2014. Tony said “we’re getting better tailwind in the economy.”
WEG Founder and Principal Interviewed by the Palm Beach Post on the November Florida Employment Report
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, was interviewed by Emily Roach for a December 20th article in the Palm Beach Post on Florida’s November Employment report.
WEG Founder and Principal Quoted in the Palm Beach Post on the National Labor Market
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, was interviewed by Jeff Ostrwoski for a December 6th article in the Palm Beach Post on the national unemployment rate.
WEG Founder and Principal Quoted in the Sun-Sentinel on Challenges Facing Florida
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal and Dean of School of Business at St. Thomas University, was interviewed by Marcia Heroux Pounds for an October 16th article in the Sun-Sentinel on Florida’s growth challenges.
Tony Villamil Comments on Business Growth for Major South Florida Newspaper
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Princial and Dean of School of Business at St. Thomas University, was interviewed by Donna Gehrke-White for a September 29th article in the Sun-Sentinel on business growth in South Florida.
WEG Principal and STU Dean School of Business Quoted in Miami Herald on Economic Growth in South Florida
New numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis on September 17th show that real estate is the top contributor to economic growth in South Florida in 2012.
WEG Founder Comments on Florida Latest Employment Report in Sun-Sentinel
In the June employment report released by the State of Florida on July 19th, unemployment slightly rose to 6.1% from 5.8% last month.
WEG Founder and Principal Advisor Participates in Quarterly Business Advisory Board
As a member of the Daily Business Review’s Business (DBR) Advisory Board, WEG Founder and Principal Advisor and Dean of School of Business at St. Thomas University, Tony Villamil, participated in the March 25th meeting of the Advisory Board.
Tony Villamil Op-Ed on 2013 Florida Economy Appears in Miami Herald
WEG Founder and Principal Advisor, Tony Villamil’s recent Op-Ed on the economic outlook for 2013 appeared in the December 30th issue of the Miami Herald.
