The Value of Regional and Local Partnerships in Rural Florida: Models and Leveraging Limited Resources J im Brook, Opportunity Florida J eff Hendry, North Florida Economic Development Partnership Beth Kirkland, Gadsden County Development Council
Florida's Rural Area of Opportunities The Northwest Florida RAO The North Central RAO South Central RAO
288.0656(7) Rural Economic Development Initiative.-- Florida Statute (1999) REDI may recommend to the Governor up to three rural areas of critical economic concern. A rural area of critical economic concern must be a rural community, or a region composed of such, that has been adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event or a natural disaster or that presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional impact that will create more than 1,000 jobs over a 5-year period. The Governor may by executive order designate up to three rural areas of critical economic concern which will establish these areas as priority assignments for REDI as well as to allow the Governor, acting through REDI, to waive criteria, requirements, or similar provisions of any economic development incentive. History of Florida's “Rural Areas of Opportunity”
Rural Areas of Opportunity “Rural area of opportunity” means a rural community, or a region composed of rural communities, designated by the Governor, which has been adversely affected by an extraordinary economic event, severe or chronic distress , or a natural disaster or that presents a unique economic development opportunity of regional impact.” 288.0656 (2)(d) Florida Statutes (2014)
Advantage to Rural Areas of Opportunity Governor's waiver, of criteria, requirements or provisions: Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program Quick Response Training Program Economic Development Transportation Projects Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund Rural Job Tax Credit Program
Eligibility for Waivers Economic Distress Factors Low Per Capita Income Low per Capita Taxable Values High Unemployment High Underemployment Low Weekly Earned Wages Low Housing Values High Percentage of Population Receiving Public Assistance High Poverty Levels
Regional Rural Development Grants Program The department shall establish a matching grant program to provide funding to regionally based economic development organizations representing rural counties and communities for the purpose of building the professional capacity of their organizations. Such matching grants may also be used by an economic development organization to provide technical assistance to businesses within the rural counties and communities that it serves. The department is authorized to approve, on an annual basis, grants to such regionally organizations . The maximum based economic development amount an organization may receive in any year will be $50,000, or $150,000 in a rural area of opportunity recommended by the Rural Economic Development Initiative and designated by the Governor, and must be matched each year by an equivalent amount of non- state resources.
Florida's Regional Rural Economic Development Organizations
Florida's Regional Rural Economic Development Organizations
Regional Rural EDOs Regional Advertising and Promotion Technical Assistance Regional Rural Development Grant Administration Marketing and Recruitment Strategic Planning Rural Area of Opportunity Coordinator and Liaison
Advantages of Regional Partnering Economies of Scale Many rural counties can't afford a full business recruitment and marketing program Smaller counties and municipalities can't generate activity to justify full-time, professional staff Advertising and Promotion is more affordable and effective when deployed regionally Recruitment is more efficient on a regional scale
The Northwest Florida Business Development Council, Inc.
The Northwest Florida Rural Area of Opportunity Florida
Who is “Opportunity Florida” A Florida Not for Profit 501c6 Organization The Northwest Florida Business Development Council, Inc. A Public – Private Partnership Economic Development Organizations (Chambers and EDOs) Private Enterprise – Utilities – Banks – Engineering Firms CareerSource Chiplola CareerSource Gulf Coast County and Municipal Governments
Opportunity Florida “Statement of Purpose” “ Opportunity Florida's purpose is to promote beneficial economic growth in an eight county region in Northwest Florida by providing technical assistance to economic development organizations and businesses and by working together with local, regional and state organizations to market the region to business and government officials”
Opportunity Florida Area of Service Nine (9) Counties 211,000 Population Jackson Largest County Liberty Smallest County All Contain Rural Enterprise Zones All in Counties in NWFL Rural Area of Opportunity
Features and Benefits of Regional Membership Member County Web Site Links to Each County Interactive Map Economic Development Incentives Enterprise Zone Information Links
Features and Benefits of Regional Membership Interactive Properties and Demographics Research And Search Capabilities GISPlanning Under Construction Pardon our Progress!
Rural Regional Development Grant Regional Grant Up to $100,000 Promotes Regional Development – Technical Assistance – Marketing and Promotion – Regional Planning – Scholarships – Business Recruitment
Features and Benefits of Regional Membership Business Recruitment Allied Marketing and Consultant Events Project Handling and Assistance Project Referral Proposal Preparation Local Strategic Planning Facilitation and Coordination Project Advocacy Support to EFI and DEO Rural Boot Camp Competitive Communities Initiative
Large Scale Projects of Regional Significance
Large Scale Projects of Regional Significance Florida Rural Broadband North
Large Scale Projects of Regional Significance “MegaSite” – Florida Alabama Partnership 2400 Acre North Jackson County Site East of Campbellton, Florida 2 miles South of State Line Large Manufacturing Site Cooperative Effort Between Florida and Alabama Economic Impact Study Commissioned
Large Scale Projects of Regional Significance
Jim Brook Executive Director 850.270.3117 jimbrook@opportunityflorida.com www.opportunityflorida.com The Northwest Florida Business Development Group, Inc. 4636 Highway 90 Suite K Marianna, FL 32446
• • • • •
•
• • • • •
• •
• • • •
• • •
• •
Beth Kirkland, CEcD 2014 Rural Summit November 6, 2014
Consider…. What economic development organizations are facing today The basic types of economic development organizations and their functions Regional ‘fit’ Tapping into low cost resources How to leverage regional and state partners
What’s happening? Globalization of the economy “Your competition ain’t just across the state line any more”. Growing role of technology The Internet has become the “weapon of choice” for site selection consultants, labor force analytics and corporate real estate executives. EDO’s are becoming more innovative Leveraging strengths for today Preparing product for tomorrow
Public Private Public-Private
Public EDO’s Local governments “First line” of economic development Regional planning organizations Handle infrastructure and transportation issues State economic development organizations Main channels of federal and state dollar resources
Public EDO’s Key Characteristics Some Tools Infrastructure improvements Public funding Eminent domain Access to and influence on Ownership of land Control of right of ways government decision makers Zoning & regulatory powers Play a significant role in Special permits formulating government Special improvement districts Tax increment financing tools policy (TIF’s) Construction & operation of public facilities Tax & non-tax incentives Business Retention & expansion Entrepreneurial/minority business assistance
Public Private Public-Private
Private Economic Development Organizations Not-for- profit EDO’s Many created during and after the Recession to help balance municipal, county and state budget deficits. “Board governs; CEO manages; staff performs” Chambers of commerce Traditional leaders in marketing, recruitment, retention, entrepreneurial assistance and tourism Community Development Corporations (CDC’s) Legislatively created funding conduits to meet specific community needs Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI’s) Designated by U.S. Treasury Department to create private institutions to promote community development in low-income areas
Recommend
More recommend
