Florida Chamber Trolls NYC Mayor Mamdani With Times Square Billboard
Business boosters thank New York mayor for sending jobs and residents to Florida, sparking a political back-and-forth over economic performance.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has launched a high-profile advertising campaign in the heart of New York City, placing a digital billboard at Broadway and West 43rd Street to thank NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his role in driving businesses and residents south. Unveiled on Monday, August 10, 2026, the advertisement names Mamdani Florida’s “Economic Developer of the Year” with the bold declaration: "Thanks for the jobs!" This stunt highlights the ongoing economic rivalry between New York and Florida as the Sunshine State capitalizes on a years-long migration trend that has seen wealthy residents and companies relocate to Central Florida and other parts of the state.
A Message in Times Square
Mark Wilson, CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, explained to Fox News Digital that the billboard was designed to acknowledge the influx of people leaving New York. "We wanted to thank him for the jobs, the companies, the people that they’re pushing out of New York — and a lot of them are coming to Florida," Wilson stated. The campaign is part of a broader effort by Florida business boosters to promote their state’s economic model while critiquing policies in other major urban centers.
Economic Data and Political Context
The billboard's message relies on recent IRS migration data, which indicates that New York experienced a net loss of 21,176 tax returns moving to Florida during the 2022-2023 period. The Chamber claims this shift has created a widening gap in taxable income, asserting that Florida gains approximately $2.4 million in net taxable income every hour while New York loses about $1.1 million per hour. Wilson argued that policies such as increased taxes on remaining residents further accelerate these departures.
New York City Pushes Back
Mayor Mamdani’s administration quickly responded to the advertisement, disputing the notion that New York's economy is struggling. A spokesperson for the mayor told The Post that by any metric, the city’s economy under Mamdani is "as strong as it’s ever been." City Hall pointed to recent job growth of more than 21,700 positions over the past six months—more than double the national rate—as evidence of stability. Additionally, employment in high-paying finance and insurance sectors has grown by 1.9%, while venture capital raised by New York-based companies increased by 102% to over $21 billion this year, a story we covered in Florida Chamber of Commerce mocks New York with Mamdani.
Looking Beyond Florida
While the initial billboard targeted New York City, Wilson indicated that the Chamber plans to expand its campaign to other cities perceived as having unfavorable business environments. He mentioned Chicago, California, and Minneapolis as potential "runner-ups" for future advertisements. The overarching goal, according to Wilson, is not merely to celebrate Florida's success but to advocate for what he describes as foundational American policies against a trend toward socialism.
