Business and Commerce in Florida
From tourism to trade, Florida is one of the world’s major commercial destinations. This guide from the State Library of Florida explores the role of business and commerce in Florida history and in modern times.
Business, management and workforce professionals employed by the State of Florida who have a State Library card can access e-books, online journals and other resources for free.
We can also deliver books and research articles directly to your office.
Other researchers can request most of these materials through their local public library.
Links within the bibliographies take you to information in our catalog or to more information on external sites.
Business and commerce in history
- Cusick, James. “Across the Border: Commodity Flow and Merchants in Spanish St. Augustine.” Florida Historical Quarterly 69.3 (1991): 277–299.
- Ginzl, David J. Barnett: The Story of Florida’s Bank. Tampa, FL: University of Tampa Press, 2001.
- Graham, Thomas. Mr. Flagler’s St. Augustine. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2014.
- Hollander, Gail M. Raising Cane in the ’Glades: The Global Sugar Trade and the Transformation of Florida. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2008.
- Hughes, Dudley J. Oil in the Deep South: A History of the Oil Business in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, 1859-1945. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1993.
- State Archives of Florida. “Bob Graham’s Workdays.” Florida Memory. Florida Division of Library and Information Services.
- State Archives of Florida. “Department of Commerce Collection.” Florida Memory. Florida Division of Library and Information Services.
- State Archives of Florida. “Tracks Toward the Future: Scenes From Florida’s Railroad History.” Florida Memory. Florida Division of Library and Information Services.
- Vickers, Raymond B. Panic in Paradise: Florida’s Banking Crash of 1926. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of Alabama Press, 1994.
- West, Patsy. The Enduring Seminoles: From Alligator Wrestling to Casino Gambling. Rev. ed. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2008.
- Willoughby, Lynn. “Apalachicola Aweigh: Shipping and Seamen at Florida’s Premier Cotton Port.” Florida Historical Quarterly 69.2 (1990): 178–194.
- Ziewitz, Kathryn, and June M. Wiaz. Green Empire: The St. Joe Company and the Remaking of Florida’s Panhandle. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 2004.
Business and commerce today
Reports and statistics
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Florida Consumer E-Newsletter. Tallahassee, FL: 2004-present.
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Bottom Line: Fast Facts for Florida Business Leaders. Tallahassee, FL: 2007-present.
- Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Annual Report. Tallahassee, FL: 2011-present.
- Florida Department of Financial Services. Annual Report. Tallahassee, FL: 2006-present.
- Florida Department of Financial Services. Florida’s Bottom Line. Tallahassee, FL: 2011-present.
- Florida Department of Revenue. Revenue Collection Report. Tallahassee, FL: 2003-present.
- Florida Public Service Commission. Annual Report. Tallahassee, FL: 1965-present.
- Indiana Business Research Center. StatsAmerica. U.S. Economic Development Administration.
- U.S. Census Bureau. “Business & Industry.” Census.gov. U.S. Department of Commerce.
- U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce. BusinessUSA.
- Visit Florida. Visit Florida Marketing Plan. Tallahassee, FL: 2009-present.
Professional resources
- Berkun, Scott. Making Things Happen: Mastering Project Management. Sebastopol, CA: O’Reilly, 2008.
- Disney Institute. Be Our Guest: Perfecting the Art of Customer Service. Rev. ed. New York, NY: Disney Editions, 2011.
- Eggers, William D., and Paul Macmillan. The Solution Revolution: How Business, Government, and Social Enterprises Are Teaming up to Solve Society’s Toughest Problems. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press, 2013.
- Kotler, Philip, and Nancy Lee. Marketing in the Public Sector: A Roadmap for Improved Performance. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Wharton School Publishing, 2007.
- Logan, Dave, and John Paul King. Tribal Leadership. London, UK: Collins, 2008.
- Megginson, David, and David Clutterbuck. Techniques for Coaching and Mentoring. Boston, MA: Elsevier, 2005.
- Rand, Paul. Highly Recommended: Harnessing the Power of Word of Mouth and Social Media to Build Your Brand and Your Business. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2014.
- Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen Design: A Simple Visual Approach to Presenting in Today’s World. 2nd ed. Berkeley, CA: New Riders, 2014.
- Sinek, Simon. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. New York, NY: Portfolio, 2011.
- “Gale Business: Entrepreneurship Resources.” Florida Electronic Library. Gale – Cengage Learning.
- State Library of Florida. “Small Business Resource Guide.” Florida Division of Library and Information Services.
