WEG Tampa General’s Medical District Study Highlighted in Florida Politics
Medical District in the heart of Tampa Bay to cultivate groundbreaking research and expand access to care.
It’s been three years since Tampa General Hospital president and CEO John Couris declared “Tampa needs a medical district.” His vision is not just becoming a reality, but it’s anticipated to have a significant economic impact on the region and the state, according to a preliminary study completed by The Washington Economics Group.
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.
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Released Mid-Year WEG Economic Newsletter
The Mid-Year Economic Outlook from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s economic advisor, The Washington Economics Group, continues to reveal Miami-Dade’s rapid ascent from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We see a resilient and ever-adjusting economy, succeeding in spite of downward pressures from less trade and reduced overall travel from and to traditional market partners, specifically Latin America,” says Dr. Tony Villamil, Founder & Senior Advisor of the Miami-based Washington Economics Group. “While Covid will present ongoing challenges, our research has revealed our region’s capability to rapidly adjust.”
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.
OBJ’s Roundtable Discussion on Florida’s Minimum Wage
On January 21, 2021, Tony Villamil, Founder and Senior Advisor of The Washington Economic Group, Inc. (WEG) was a panelist in the Orlando Business Journal’s virtual roundtable discussion on Florida’s minimum wage. The discussion focused on the impact of that wage increase not only on workers’ wages but also the Central Florida economy as a whole, as well as any challenges it may initially present for certain industries.
WEG Founder and Senior Advisor Quoted in Miami Today on Financial Employment
According to an article published by Miami Today on the week of Thursday, August 13, 2020, the financial jobs rock solid despite the pandemic. Miami-Dade’s unemployment rate was 11.5% as of June, the last month for which there is available data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate wavered only slightly in April and May, from 11.8% to 12%, respectively.
WEG Founder and Senior Advisor Quoted in Miami Today on Financial Employment
Miami-Dade’s unemployment rate was 11.5% as of June, the last month for which there is available data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rate wavered only slightly in April and May, from 11.8% to 12%, respectively. But over that same period, employment in the financial activities sector barely budged. Jobs in finance fell from 81,700 in March, when the pandemic hit, to 81,400 in May – a 0.2% differential. The trend extends across South Florida. Banking and finance employment across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties – a roughly 188,000-job sector – was just 0.1% less in June than in the year prior, the smallest dip among 12 job sectors the bureau.
Villamil quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer on why people are moving from Pennsylvania, New Jersey to Florida
New evidence to help show that many Northeners are packing their belongings, bank accounts and heading to Florida and other zero income tax states, J. Antonio Villamil, founder and principal advisor of The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG) in Coral Gables, FL., said the Federal Tax Reform Act of 2018 “increased our competitive advantage” and has boosted Florida’s economy.
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.
Renowned WEG Study Concludes eMerge Americas Generated $1.3B in Cumulative Economic Impacts Since 2014
eMerge Americas, a platform which fosters innovation and serves as a catalyst for transforming Miami into the tech hub of the Americas, had cumulative economic impacts of $1.368 billion in the State of Florida since its 2014 inception, according to a new economic impact study conducted by The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG). eMerge Americas also supported 7,171 josbs statewide from 2014-2019.
WEG Founder and Senior Advisor quoted in Miami Today on Interest Rates
As bond interest rates on 10 year Treasury notes slide lower amid economic and political uncertainty, what are the ramifications for the Miami business community? In an interview with Catherine Lacker on this topic, Tony Villamil, founder and senior advisor of the Washington Economic Group (WEG) said “I don’t see a recession this year,” nor does he see a rate hike by the Federal Rserve Bank in the immediate future, he added.
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.”
Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce Group:Table local government consolidation discussion
Recent talks of consolidating local government should be deferred until pressing community issues are resolved, a committee commissioned by the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce found.The committee on Friday released findings from its Local Government and Community Study.
WEG Principal and Senior Advisor Quoted in Sun Sentinel Editorial Article
“NAFTA overhaul a big disappointment for Florida,” J. Antonio Villamil, Principal and Senior Advisor of The Washigton Economics Group, Inc. (WEG) was interviewed on the implications for Florida by the new NAFTA.
Villamil Quoted in Sun-Sentinel Article: Nervous South Florida Industries Await Tariff War Fallout
In an article by David Lyons published in Sun-Sentinel, Tony Villamil, a longtime economist who heads The Washington Economics Group, Inc. (WEG), said he is concerned “on a number of fronts,” including trade, tourism, construction and new investment. He also added “We need open markets….”if you look at all of the aspects of the Florida […]
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 Villami on The Tweet of the Week – Sunshine State News
In the article “How Far Should Florida Go on Venezuela” published by the Sunshina Sate News on August 10, WEG Principal and Founder, Tony Villamil’s tweet was number one of the week…”keeping markeets open and avoiding trade protectionism is critical to Florida economy. Is Washington and Tallahassee listening?” Read full article
Villamil Quoted in Miami Herald Article:: Will Trump be Good for South Florida’s Economy?
In the January 26, 2017 article of the Miami Herald, South Florida business leaders focused on an economic wild card that few has predicted: President Donald Trump. The new president’s policies on trade, finance, immigration and healthcare could have a greater impact — positive and negative –on South Florida than on other regions less closely tied to foreign markets, noted Thursday’s speakers.
Tony Villamil Quoted in Sun-Sentinel on Strong November Employment Numbers
Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, was interviewed by Marcia Heroux Ponds on Florida’s November Employment Report. With unemployment levels at their lowest levels since the recession in Broward and Palm Beach County, Tony Villamil says the State of Florida is finishing the year strong. Florida’s unemployment rate fell from 6 percent in October to […]
Tony Villamil Widely Quoted in Sun-Sentinel on Gas Price Windfall
The Sun Sentinel interviews Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, on the South Florida gas price windfall. As gas prices continue to decrease almost every day, Tony Villamil says that “overall [the price declines] are very positive because we as a region are an energy importer.”
Tony Villamil Quoted in Sun-Sentinel on Florida Construction Jobs
As Florida leads the nation in new construction jobs, the Sun-Sentinel interviews Tony Villamil, WEG Founder and Principal, to add his perspective on the industry’s growth. Tony says, “We’re not at the 2006 peak, but maybe we shouldn’t be… The increases are healthier than the speculative increases we saw through 2004 to 2006.”
Tony Villamil Quoted in the Sun-Sentinel on South Florida’s High Cost of Living
On November 12, the Sun Sentinel released an article discussing the impact of high living costs in Palm Beach and Broward Counties and the United Way’s recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Study on financial hardship.
