SWFEDA Overview 2-21-14
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The document outlines a regional economic development initiative for Southwest Florida aimed at enhancing collaboration among five counties to improve economic diversification. Key components include developing a regional data repository, fostering relationships with local economic development organizations, and implementing a strong marketing strategy to attract business investments. The initiative involves a collaboration of various stakeholders, including local organizations and cornerstone investors, with plans for operational implementation by March 2014.
SWFEDA Overview 2-21-14
- 1. Horizon Council General Membership Feb. 21, 2014 Mei-Mei Chan President and Publisher The News-Press Media Group Florida Regional President, Gannett
- 2. BACKGROUND • Economic diversification is critical to building a stronger economy and to enhance the quality of life for our citizens • We are stronger, more competitive, and more visible as a region than as five individual counties – 1 million + population – 500,000 person workforce – Higher national and international visibility – Efficiencies of scale and greater capabilities
- 3. BACKGROUND • Southwest Florida is the only populous region of Florida without a regional economic development effort • We will all benefit from a Marketing Engine that will generate more leads for Southwest Florida by: – Enhancing existing marketing and recruitment efforts – Serving site selectors, real estate consultants, targeted companies and local Economic Development Organizations – Acting as a non-parochial economic development facilitator
- 4. BACKGROUND • The Horizon Council / Fort Myers Regional Partnership, Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy / Naples Chamber and Florida Gulf Coast University led and funded the initial stage (REDI). • Goal is to partner with all Counties, Cities and EDOs representing the greater Southwest Florida region that are interested in participating
- 5. KEYS TO SUCCESS… • A regional, non-jurisdictional perspective • Professional excellence and collaborative working relationships between public and private sector leaders • Strong relationships with local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs), Enterprise Florida, lead sources and other stakeholders
- 6. KEYS TO SUCCESS… • Regional data/analytics that are accurate, current and targeted to site selectors and business owners • Website that is easy to understand and navigate with data on available properties and sites • A strong marketing strategy to boast about the region’s strengths – For now, Southwest Florida itself is “the” brand
- 7. WEBSITE AND DATA REPOSITORY Our initial focus is the regional data repository, with hosting website: • Based on industry best practices • Provides a comprehensive data resource for site selectors and businesses • Plan to be operational in First Quarter of 2014 • Funded with $40,000 from the private sector: Horizon Council/Fort Myers Regional Partnership and the Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy
- 16. NEXT STEPS A. Develop detailed organizational structure, operating policies and business plan – Florida DEO Grant with the SWFL Regional Planning Council and its membership. Draft due Feb. 28; final by May. B. C. D. E. Founding investor fundraising through March 31 Launch website/data repository March 31 Continue community engagement Initiate marketing activities - Establish relationships with key stakeholders and targets F. Explore future public sector funding
- 17. FOUNDING AND CORNERSTONE INVESTORS Founding Organizations • The Horizon Council / Fort Myers Regional Partnership • Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy • Florida Gulf Coast University Cornerstone Investors • Chico’s FAS • Cohen & Grigsby • Collier County • Hertz • The Lutgert Companies/Premier Sotheby’s/Lutgert Insurance • Moorings Park • Physicians Regional Healthcare System/Lehigh Regional Medical Center • United Way of Collier County/United Way of Lee County
- 18. CATALYST INVESTORS • • • • • • • • • • • B & I Contractors Barron Collier Companies Busey Bank Collier Enterprises Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands Edison State College FineMark National Bank & Trust First National Bank of the Gulf Coast GATES Grant, Fridkin, Pearson, P.A. Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt • • • • • • • • • • • Hodges University Hole Montes, Inc. Hope Healthcare Services Land Solutions, Inc. Lee County Electric Cooperative Lee Memorial Health Care System NCH Health Care System The News-Press Media Group Southwest Florida Business Today Stantec SWFL Workforce Development Board
- 19. FAQS • What will the Alliance do better than local EDOs can? • How can a regional entity represent multiple areas well? • How will the leads work? • Will the local EDO relationships with Enterprise Florida change? • What kind of budget will the Alliance need? For what?
- 20. THE STRATEGIC VISION “As a region, we bring much more to the plate... By this time next year, we want to be pitching the region to site selectors and looking for the next Hertz…Within our region we can accommodate just about any development that comes our way.” Richard Broome Hertz EVP Corporate Affairs and Communication
- 21. THANK YOU! WE INVITE YOU TO GET INVOLVED! KEY CONTACTS: • LAURIE HOLQUIST, LHOLQUIST@GMAIL.COM • MEI-MEI CHAN, MMCHAN@GANNETT.COM • DENNIE HAMILTON, DENNIE.HAMILTON@LCEC.NET • DENIS NOAH, DENIS.NOAH@HENLAW.COM