SW Florida Regional Planning Council
Feb. 20, 2014
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 individual counties
– 1 million + population
– 500,000 person workforce
– Higher national and international visibility
– Efficiencies of scale and greater capabilities
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 exposure 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
BACKGROUND
• Founded by the Private Sectors of Lee and Collier
Counties and FGCU (initially called REDI) working
closely with County EDO representatives:
• Lee County Horizon Council
• Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, Partnership
for Collier’s Future Economy
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Long-term goal is to be a true public, private and
civic organization serving Southwest Florida
KEYS TO SUCCESS…
• A regional, non-jurisdictional perspective
• Collaborative working relationships between
public and private sector leaders
• Strong relationships with local Economic
Development Organizations (EDOs), Enterprise
Florida, lead sources and other stakeholders
• Community Support
KEYS TO SUCCESS…
• A Data Repository and Website that:
– Provides Regional data/analytics that are
accurate and current
– Targeted to site selectors and business owners
– Easy to understand and navigate with data on
available properties and sites
– Boasts about the region’s strengths, creating a
Southwest Florida brand
WEBSITE AND DATA
REPOSITORY
Our initial focus was the regional data repository/website:
• Based on industry best practices
• Provides comprehensive data for site selectors and
businesses, developed by FGCU Regional Economic
Research Institute
• Soft Launch February 1 with plan to be operational in
March 2014
• Funded with $40,000 from the private sector: Horizon
Council Foundation, the Partnership for Collier’s Future
Economy, and in-kind services from FGCU
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
As website was developed, built community
awareness as to the importance of regionalism and to
gain clarity of direction for a future organization
• Held one-on-one meetings with Lee and Collier County
commissioners and managers
• In May, sponsored a regional symposium on winning ED
strategies and the vital impact of regionalism
• In June, convened two facilitated forums involving
private-sector CEO stakeholders
TAKEAWAYS
• Southwest Florida is ready (overdue) for a regional
economic development outreach entity
• Need to demonstrate success through private sector
funding before soliciting public financial support
• Support beyond business leaders is critical,
outreach and education for the broader community
• The organization should stay lean and limit staffing
DECISION TO CREATE ENTITY
• Incorporated in September 2013 as Southwest
Florida Economic Development Alliance
• Launched Founding Investor Fundraising Efforts –
Raised $210,000 in Annual Commitments to Date
• Met with Regional Economic Development
Organization Directors in October 2013
• Held a Second Regional Forum in November 2013
Presenting Our Plan
NEXT STEPS
• Develop detailed organizational and governance
structures, operating policies and business plan
– With assistance from the SWFL Regional Planning
Council using Florida DEO Grant
• Launch website/data repository March 31
• Initiate marketing activities
– Establish relationships with key stakeholders
• Explore future public sector funding
FOUNDING AND CORNERSTONE INVESTORS
Founding Organizations
Cornerstone Investors ($10,000)
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The Horizon Council Foundation
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Chico’s FAS
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Partnership for Collier’s Future Economy
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Cohen & Grigsby
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Florida Gulf Coast University
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Collier County
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Hertz
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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
CATALYST INVESTORS ($5K)
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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
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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
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