Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1347386
higher wages and additional prosperity for the community," he says, pointing to high taxes and a deteriorating quality of life in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, where housing costs are astronomical and inequitable income distribution has soared. "The talent base is here and, unlike most other places in the US, is diverse and ready for work." Former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence also weighed in with caution. Though he acknowledged that the climate and physical location are appealing to investors, as is the degree of sophisticated diversity and absence of personal income tax, leaders need to be sure that Miami enefits as well. - has made it abundantly clear that many jobs can be done from anywhere as long as you have a stable internet connection," Lawrence says. "Having tech company leaders or headquarters based in Miami will not automatically turn into new jos. f the local overnment is oin to provide incentives to bring companies, it will need to incorporate strong accountability components." Another issue of concern is the strain on the local infrastructure. f the companies are staffed by workers moving from other parts of the country, where are the oin to live s this oin to further displace lower-income families awrence points out that even middle-class families are being priced out of home ownership in the Bay Area. There's another key consideration, too. n awrences words, hat ind of corporate citizens will these companies be? f a major driver for a move to outh lorida is lower taxes, what will they contribute in the wa of financial resources to address the challenges facing us right now?" ith affordale housin alread a concern in outh lorida, and the recent entrification of the Biscayne corridor producing its own set of recriminations over "progress," there are no easy answers to the questions awrence ass and s osener echoes. "Even if it happens, our political leadership must take the opportunity to focus on housing, better public transportation and quality schools," he says. Longtime South Florida resident and author Dave Barry wonders if the newbies are here to sta, thouh. m not sure that these tech companies are fully aware of what they're getting into," he says. "Do they picture themselves sitting outside in August, happily tapping away on their laptops while the palm trees sway in a gentle breeze? Do they understand that even if they can survive the heat and humidity, they run a real risk of being carried off by mosquitoes?" hat a prospect he new ilicon alle undone by bugs. "There hasn't been such an influx of Robin Leach types to Miami since the Stallone-Madonna- Versace heyday of the 1990s." BAL HARBOUR 171