Agenda 09/14/2021 Item #16F 7 (Extension to the Ave Maria Innovation Zone collection period w/Carina's Manufacturing, Inc. and Ave Maria Development, LLLP)09/14/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve an extension to the Ave Maria Innovation Zone collection period and
direct the County Manager, or his designee, to develop an economic development agreement with
Carina’s Manufacturing, Inc. and Ave Maria Development, LLLP, for a dedicated manufacturing
facility.
OBJECTIVE: To extend the collection period on the Ave Maria Innovation Zone and direct the County
Manager, or designee, to negotiate an agreement with Carina’s Manufacturing for future approval.
CONSIDERATIONS: On June 23, 2015, the Board of County Commissioners adopted resolution 2015-
133 creating the Ave Maria Innovation Zone (Zone). The Zone is set to terminate collecting funds on
September 30, 2021 unless a project is brought forward that uses at least 30% of the funds collected.
The Zone is just now seeing interest based on the lack of light industrial space available in the urban area,
in and around Immokalee, and the increased residential development in the area. The Zone is a
predictable and measured tool used by the Board on many occasions in the county to incentivize jobs and
appropriate businesses, most recently for the development of a resort hotel within the Activity Center No.
9 Innovation Zone.
Carina’s Manufacturing, Inc. was one of the early participants in the Florida Culinary Accelerator at
Immokalee, and has seen exceptional growth in private label sauces, juices, and other food products
including ethnic specialties over the last several years. The demand for Carina’s products has exceeded
the ability of the accelerator to house and support them. The company has seven (7) full time employees
and twenty-four (24) part time employees. The growth in their business and employment potential is only
limited to their ability to manufacture full time in their own dedicated facility.
Carina’s products are currently being distributed through the following channels:
• Wynn’s Market, Seed to Table, Marriott, Coconut Jacks, and Taste of Immokalee
Additionally, Carina’s has been invited to supply food products and specialty sauces to:
• The Ritz Carlton and Sysco regionally and potentially nationally
The market size for seasoning, sauces, and condiments is $23 billion and growing by four percent
annually. Private label growth is expected to be three times that rate with higher margins.
The ability for Carina’s to transition from the accelerator to the next level of independency is highly
reliant on access to capital, resources, and labor. Carina’s business model is a perfect example of the typ e
of business that the Culinary Accelerator can work with to achieve success in transitioning outside of the
accelerator. Successfully moving Carina’s into a dedicated facility in the local area will set the stage for
other startup businesses to do the same.
In planning the transition to a dedicated facility, Carina’s has explored multiple sites and options. Though
the Immokalee community was the initial area of exploration and interest, the lack of available shovel
ready sites and corresponding incentives led to consideration of moving into the Ave Maria Innovation
Zone. After several meetings with the Ave Maria development and leasing team, a suitable site was
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09/14/2021
located and a build to suit option with the ability to expand was drafted. To construct and outfit a food
manufacturing facility with affordable lease rates, additional funding is required.
The proposed facility is located within the Zone in Town Center 2B. Carina’s would occupy
approximately 5,600 square feet of the building planned. An expansion of an additional 11,200 square
feet is available should the demand for Carina’s products continue to grow.
In the recent approval of villages in Rural Land Stewardship Area (RLSA), the need for commercial,
industrial, and other job producing businesses was highlighted as a key need in the RLSA. Additionally,
innovation zone funds and other incentives have been recently used by the Board successfully to bring a
resort hotel, logistics facility, and manufacturing to various parts of the county in the urban area. Creating
jobs in the RLSA and in and around the Immokalee urban area are high priorities of the RLSA and
Immokalee Area Master Plan.
With consensus from the Board, a definitive agreement will be brought back for final Board approval
before proceeding with the project.
FISCAL IMPACT: In FY 22, the Ave Maria Innovation Zone Fund (182) is budgeted to have $563,200
available for projects. Staff anticipates the negotiated agreement will include reimbursements for
construction costs of tangible capital improvements, tenant improvements, and specific equipment for
food manufacturing. The final agreement will be structured in a way that dedicates existing and future
year’s TIF to offset any costs outlined in the agreement.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: The first goal of the Immokalee Area Master Plan, which
includes the town of Ave Maria, is to make economic development a priority. Policy 1.1 is to actively
pursue, attract, and retain business enterprises. Policies 2.4 and 2.5 support financial incentives and
identify Agricultural-Related Business uses as a targeted industry.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as
to form and legality, and requires a majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board approve an extension to the Ave Maria Innovation Zone
collection period and direct the County Manager, or his designee, to develop an economic development
agreement with Carina’s Manufacturing, Inc. and Ave Maria Development, LLLP, for a dedicated
manufacturing facility.
Prepared by: Sean Callahan, Deputy County Manager
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. 2015-33 Ave Maria Innovation Zone (PDF)
2. Carina's Manufactoring - IMM CRA Support Letter - Final (PDF)
3. Letter of Support Carinas Manufacturing (PDF)
4. site map (PDF)
5. AMDs Letter of Support 9.8.21 (PDF)
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09/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.F.7
Doc ID: 19994
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve an extension to the Ave Maria Innovation Zone
collection period and direct the County Manager, or his designee, to develop an economic development
agreement with Carina’s Manufacturing, Inc. and Ave Maria Development, LLLP, for a dedicated
manufacturing facility.
Meeting Date: 09/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: – County Manager's Office
Name: Sean Callahan
09/07/2021 11:00 AM
Submitted by:
Title: – County Manager's Office
Name: Sean Callahan
09/07/2021 11:00 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Corporate Business Operations Jennifer Reynolds Additional Reviewer Completed 09/07/2021 12:01 PM
County Manager's Office Sean Callahan Additional Reviewer Completed 09/07/2021 4:22 PM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 09/08/2021 8:36 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 09/08/2021 4:18 PM
Office of Management and Budget Susan Usher Additional Reviewer Completed 09/08/2021 4:39 PM
County Manager's Office Sean Callahan Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 09/08/2021 5:11 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 09/14/2021 9:00 AM
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Packet Pg. 2943
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-1 3 3
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
ESTABLISHING THE AVE MARIA INNOVATION ZONE.
WHEREAS, in addition to its broad home rule powers, Collier County is expressly
authorized under Section 125.045, Florida Statutes to "expend public funds for economic
development activities, including, but not limited to, developing or improving local
infrastructure, issuing bonds to finance or refinance the cost of capital projects for industrial or
manufacturing plants, leasing or conveying real property, and making grants to private
enterprises for the expansion of businesses existing in the community or the attraction of new
businesses to the community;"and
WHEREAS, Collier County adopted Ordinance No. 2010-20 providing for the creation
of Innovation Zones by adoption of a resolution; and
WHEREAS, Ave Maria Development, LLP is the developer (hereinafter"Developer") of
the Town of Ave Maria Stewardship Receiving Area; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Ave Maria Master Plan provides for the development of four
Town Centers; and
WHEREAS, the four Town Centers provide an opportunity for economic development in
the unincorporated area in Collier County.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA,that:
SECTION ONE: Establishment of the Ave Maria Innovation Zone.
The property identified as Town Center 1, 2A, 2B and 3 as set forth in the Town of Ave
Maria Master Plan, attached hereto, is hereby established as the Ave Maria Innovation Zone.
SECTION TWO: Initial Tax Increment Year and Percentage.
For purposes of establishing the Base Year Assessment Roll, the base year shall be the
last Collier County Real Property Assessment Roll certified by the Property Appraiser prior to
the adoption of the Tax Increment Resolution. Tax increments shall commence to be deposited
into the Trust Fund with the County fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2016, and funding
shall continue through September 30, 2021. The amount of the tax increment to be deposited
into the Trust Fund shall be equal to 100% of the amount based on the formula set forth in
Section 4(B) of Collier County Ordinance No. 2010-20. Funding shall automatically continue
with no further action by the parties for an additional 5 years, provided that after conclusion of
this initial fifth year, at least 30%of the Trust Fund has been expended,. At the conclusion of the
tenth year,the parties will meet to discuss whether an additional extension is warranted.
1
16.F.7.a
Packet Pg. 2944 Attachment: 2015-33 Ave Maria Innovation Zone (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
SECTION THREE: Creation of an Economic Trust Fund.
The County hereby creates the Ave Maria Innovation Zone Trust Fund. The tax
increment shall be deposited into the trust fund and the trust fund proceeds shall be utilized to
implement the Economic Development Plan set forth in Section Four. The Trust Fund corpus
will not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) in any single fiscal year and is subject to
annual appropriation by the County. Up to 5% of the Trust Corpus shall be reserved as an
annual administrative fee for the County. Upon termination of the Trust Fund any unspent and
unencumbered proceeds shall revert to the County's General Fund.
SECTION FOUR: Adoption of the Economic Development Plan.
The purpose of the Ave Maria Innovation Zone is to attract and retain qualified targeted
industry business as defined by Florida Statute 288.106. Trust funds may be utilized in any
lawful manner, including infrastructure required to serve new target businesses or the expansion
of an existing target business; payment of County Impact Fees to be paid by the new target
business or the expansion of an existing target business; and payment of building permit fees or
other County fees related to the construction of structures to serve the target business. Any
payment of funds must be approved in advance by the Board of County Commissioners. All
expenses must be fully documented in a manner acceptable to the County.
THIS RESOLUTION ADOPTED after motion, second, and majority vote favoring
same this 23 day of SVY t'Q 2015.
ATTEST..\ BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
DWIGHT E.BROCK,'Clorlk. COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA_
By: By:
4' . + `De Cl e 'TIM NANCE, CHAIRMANAttest , to heirmans
signatu;
Appro a ". ' . . and legality:
it. J
Jeffrey .1 atz ow, County Attorney
2
16.F.7.a
Packet Pg. 2945 Attachment: 2015-33 Ave Maria Innovation Zone (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
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Packet Pg. 2946 Attachment: 2015-33 Ave Maria Innovation Zone (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
Immokalee CRA office (CareerSource SWFL)
750 South Fifth Street, Suite C, Immokalee, FL. 34142
239-867-0028| www.immokaleetoday.com
August 18, 2021
Collier County Board of County Commissioner
3299 Tamiami Trail E., Suite 303
Naples, FL. 34112
RE: Carina’s Manufacturing Facility – Ave Maria Innovation Zone Grant Application
and Manufacturing Facility Project
Dear Board of County Commissioners:
The Immokalee Local Redevelopment Advisory Board is appointed by the Collier
County Board of Commissioners. The nine-member committee serves as the primary
vehicle for community and professional input to the Community Redevelopment
Agency (CRA) for matters relating to the Immokalee Community Redevelopment Area.
The Immokalee Local Redevelopment Advisory Board supports the proposed
manufacturing facility in Ave Maria. Carina’s Manufacturing started at the Immokalee
Culinary Accelerator and the advisory board is in full support of the company’s growth
and expansion. This project exemplifies a regional, public-private approach to further
strengthen our local economy.
Carina’s manufacturing has seen exceptional growth over the last couple of years. The
demand for Carina’s products has exceeded the ability of the Immokalee Culinary
Accelerator to house and support them. The growth in their business and employment
potential is only limited to their ability to manufacture full time in their own dedicated
facility.
Our advisory board is pleased to support Carina’s Manufacturing Ave Maria innovation
zone grant application and project. This manufacturing facility will provide job creation,
collaboration with local agricultural businesses, co-packing for local food entrepreneurs,
private labeling, and a multitude of other services. This development will positively
impact the agricultural business in the Immokalee community since most of the products
come from Immokalee.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Frank Nappo
Immokalee Local Redevelopment Advisory Board, Chair
James Sainvilus P
CRA Board
Commissioner
Donna Fiala
Co-Chair
Commissioner
William McDaniel,
Jr.
Co-Chair
Commissioner
Burt L. Saunders
Commissioner
Penny Taylor
Commissioner
Andy Solis, Esq
CRA Advisory
Board
Frank Nappo
Chairman
Anne Goodnight
Vice-Chair
Estil Null
Ski Olesky
Mike Facundo
Andrea Halman
Yvar Pierre
Frank Leon
Mark Lemke
MSTU Advisory
Committee
Bernardo Barnhart
Chair
Peter Johnson
Vice- Chair
Andrea Halman
Norma Garcia
Cherryle Thomas
CRA Staff
Debrah Forester
Director
Christie Betancourt
Operations Manager
Yvonne Blair
Project Manager
Monica Acosta
Administrative
Assistant
16.F.7.b
Packet Pg. 2947 Attachment: Carina's Manufactoring - IMM CRA Support Letter - Final (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
1400 N 15th Ste. 202, Immokalee, FL 34142
P.O. Box 1286, Immokalee, FL 34143
Tel: (239) 297-6814
Fax: (239) 236-0251
Tasteofimmokalee@gmail.com
www.TasteofImmokalee.com
Deomattie Tannassee
Carina’s Manufacturing
Immokalee, Florida
August 16, 2021
Dear Board of County Commissioners:
My name is Marie Capita, and I am the Executive Director of Taste of Immokalee. Taste of
Immokalee is a student created and students operated business. Taste of Immokalee's line of
salsa and sauces are made with farm fresh local produce. Created in partnership with professional
mentors, chefs, and food industry experts. We are a Benefit Corporation with a mission to provide
students with hands-on experience in all aspects of business, with a focus on social
entrepreneurship to give back to the community of Immokalee, Florida. We provide Collier
County youth with hands-on learning in business, social entrepreneurship, and leadership to
prepare for college and careers. We met Mrs. Tannassee, the owner Carina’s Manufacturing, at
the grand opening of the Immokalee Accelerator. Since the Taste of Immokalee’s products are
being sold in Publix stores and in other local markets, Mrs. Tannassee and myself always stayed
in contact because this is the same path she wanted to take with her products.
We commit to participating in and supporting the Carina’s Manufacturing Ave Maria innovation
zone grant application and project. Since the creation of Taste of Immokalee, it has been a
struggle to find a local manufacturing facility that can produce our products on site. Currently
our products are being produces in Winter Springs, Florida. We have had several conversations
with the Board of County Commissioners about the need for a manufacturing facility in the
Immokalee area. If this facility is built, we can bring down our manufacturing to the Immokalee
area. This will be a great benefit for the students because they will have more of a hands-on
approach to the manufacturing side of the products and quality control.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
_____________________________________
MARIE C. CAPITA
Executive Director
Board Members
Timothy Cartwright
President
John K Paul
Treasurer
Jaime Weisinger
Officer
Ray Jensen
Officer
Paul Evans
Officer
Kathleen Maier
Secretary
Holly Parkes
Officer
Winston Justice
Officer
Henry Suerth
Officer
Kevin Carmichael
Marie Capita
Executive Director
16.F.7.c
Packet Pg. 2948 Attachment: Letter of Support Carinas Manufacturing (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
16.F.7.d
Packet Pg. 2949 Attachment: site map (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
16.F.7.d
Packet Pg. 2950 Attachment: site map (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)
16.F.7.ePacket Pg. 2951Attachment: AMDs Letter of Support 9.8.21 (19994 : Carina's Ave Maria)