By: Krug Stillo

Boca Raton’s Republican Mayor Scott Singer is launching an all-out push to lure New York City businesses to Florida in the wake of Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral victory — a move that, as the New York Post reported, has sparked concern among corporate leaders in Manhattan about the city’s new economic direction.

In a letter obtained by the Post, Singer made a direct appeal to executives in New York’s financial and tech sectors, warning that Mamdani’s plans to hike taxes on corporations and wealthy residents would punish success and drive out investment. “Dear New York Business Leaders, New York’s message to the financial sector couldn’t be clearer after Mamdani’s election: success is something to regulate, not celebrate,” he wrote, urging companies to instead “build their future in Boca Raton.”

As the New York Post pointed out, Singer touted Boca Raton’s low taxes, sunny climate, and strong business infrastructure as an attractive alternative to the economic policies taking shape under Mamdani. He emphasized that Boca has no state or local income tax, 30% lower operating costs than Manhattan’s Class A office space, and the lowest property tax rate of any major city in Florida. “In Boca Raton, we take a different view,” he said. “Here, thriving businesses lift communities — not burden them.”

Singer also cited Boca’s growing business ecosystem, with more than 40 publicly traded companies headquartered there, including ADT, Office Depot, Canon, and Tyco Integrated Security. The Post reported that the mayor highlighted Boca’s proximity to three international airports and a “strong, expanding talent pipeline” from nearby universities. He described the city as offering “productivity in paradise,” with five miles of beaches and a high quality of life meant to attract both executives and employees.

Mamdani’s proposed tax increases — which could include property hikes in wealthier, mostly white neighborhoods — are part of his estimated $9 billion agenda to fund universal child care, expand bus services, and develop affordable housing. As the New York Post noted, his plans have rattled the city’s business community, with some fearing an exodus of employers and high earners to states like Florida.

Singer told the Post that he has already received inquiries from both retail and finance executives exploring relocation options. “People are concerned and looking for better business opportunities,” he said, adding that Boca’s real estate market is already heating up in anticipation of an influx of New Yorkers. “The future of finance is moving south — along with other industries — and Boca Raton is eager to welcome you.”

Still, Mamdani’s team insists his agenda will help keep families — and talent — in New York. His spokesperson Dora Pekec told the New York Post that “delivering universal childcare and lowering costs will allow companies to attract and retain top talent from around the world.”

As Singer and other Florida leaders step up their recruiting pitches, the divide between New York’s progressive experiment and Florida’s low-tax allure seems set to deepen.