Agenda 12/14/2021 Item #16B 1 (MOU w/State of FL, DEO & Collier County for Immokalee community participation in RAO)16.B.1
12/14/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement) between the State
of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Collier County specifying the
terms and conditions of the Immokalee community as a participating member of the South
Central Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) through June 28, 2026, appoint designated
contacts for Collier County as identified in Exhibit A to the Agreement and authorize the
Chairman to sign the Agreement.
OBJECTIVE: To continue participation in the South Central Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO)
designation and program benefits.
CONSIDERATIONS: The Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern (RACEC) designation
was first denoted by Executive Order in 2001 by then Florida Governor Jeb Bush. FHREDI
petitioned to have the designation renewed in 2006. On May 23, 2006, the Board of County
Commissioners ("Board") approved a Cooperative Agreement with the Office of Tourism, Trade
and Economic Development which recognized the designation of an area known as the South
Central Florida Region as a rural area of critical economic concern, Agenda Item No. 16A8. On
February 16, 2011 the Cooperative Agreement expired.
Renewal of this designation was required in 2011, thus, in 2011 FHREDI petitioned Governor
Rick Scott to extend the RACEC designation another 5-years and to keep the Community of
Immokalee within the South Central RACEC designation. On September 13, 2011, the Board
approved a new Cooperative Agreement with the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic
Development which expired April 22, 2016, Agenda Item No. 16132.
In 2014, Governor Rick Scott changed the designation from Rural Area of Critical Economic
Concern (RACEC) to Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) and all the counties and local
communities in the Rural Economic Development Initiative South Central region were required
to renew their designation as RAO. On April 19, 2016, FHREDI was dissolved and on April 26,
2016 Florida Heartland Economic Region of Opportunity (FHERO) was formed.
Pursuant to Executive Order 16-150, the RAO designation for the area around Immokalee
included within Round II Federal Rural Enterprise Community located northeast of Collier
County shall be in effect for five years and will expire on June 27, 2021. On September 13,
2016, the Board approved an MOA between DEO and Collier County to designate the area and
participate in the program benefits. FHERO's mission is to market, facilitate and advocate for
regional economic development opportunities in South Central Florida.
On June 28, 2021, Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 21-149 which re-
designated the South Central RAO for another five-year term with an expiration date of June 28,
2026. Pursuant to Florida Statute and the Executive Order, RAO designation shall be contingent
upon execution of the MOA between Parties.
The benefits of being a designated RAO include additional points for grant scoring, State
approved economic development incentives for rural communities including the Governor's
ability to waive criteria for any economic development incentive. As a member of FHERO, the
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16.B.1
Immokalee community collaborates with the other South Central Florida RAO members to
market and advocacy for economic development incentives and opportunities in rural Central
Florida. Through this partnership, the Immokalee Community receives marketing and technical
assistance to advance economic development opportunities in the community.
The MOA, Exhibit A, requires the designation of contacts for Collier County. The first designee
is for an elected or appointed official to serve as a point of contact in all matters and activities
relating to the South Central RAO. Historically, staff has been appointed by the Board to fill the
positions. The appointments provide DEO with a point of contact regarding economic
development activities within the Immokalee area. Staff recommends Debrah Forester, Collier
County Community Redevelopment Agency Director. The second designee is for a person from
a non-profit organization actively engaged in economic development within the County to serve
as the single point of contact to represent and provide input on all economic development matters
and activities relating to the South Central RAO. Staff recommends Melanie Schmees, Director
of Business and Economic Research, Naples Chamber of Commerce.
FISCAL IMPACT: Annual membership dues to FHERO estimated at $2,415.40. Funds are
available in Immokalee CRA Fund 186.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved for form and legality and requires a
majority vote for Board approval. - JAB
RECOMMENDATION: Recommendation to approve Agreement between the State of
Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Collier County specifying the terms
and conditions of the Immokalee community as a participating member of the South Central
Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) through June 28, 2026, appoint designated contacts for Collier
County as identified in Exhibit A to the Agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign the
Agreement.
Prepared by: Debrah Forester, CRA Director
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. MOA - Stamped by CAO (PDF)
2. Executive Order 21-149 Re Rural Area of Opportunity (PDF)
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12/14/2021
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.B.1
Doe ID: 20311
Item Summary: Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Agreement (Agreement)
between the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) and Collier County specifying
the terms and conditions of the Immokalee community as a participating member of the South Central
Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO) through June 28, 2026, appoint designated contacts for Collier County
as identified in Exhibit A to the Agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement.
Meeting Date: 12/14/2021
Prepared by:
Title: — County Manager's Office
Name: Debrah Forester
10/08/2021 4:08 PM
Submitted by:
Title: — County Manager's Office
Name: Debrah Forester
10/08/2021 4:08 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Tourism
Kelly Green
Stage 1 Review
Corporate Business Operations
Jennifer Reynolds
Stage 1 Review
County Manager's Office
Debrah Forester
Director - CRAs
County Attorney's Office
Jennifer Belpedio
Level 2 Attorney of Record Review
Office of Management and Budget
Debra Windsor
Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review
Growth Management Operations Support
Christopher Johnson
County Attorney's Office
Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review
County Manager's Office
Amy Patterson
Level 4 County Manager Review
Board of County Commissioners
Geoffrey Willig
Meeting Pending
Completed
10/11/2021 3:14 PM
Completed
10/11/2021 4:18 PM
Completed
10/11/2021 5:14 PM
Completed
10/14/2021 2:02 PM
Completed
10/14/2021 3:09 PM
Additional Reviewer Completed
Completed
10/15/2021 10:05 AM
Completed
12/03/2021 1:35 PM
12/14/2021 9:00 AM
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C38F04B-588C-44E7-9081-52CD5628A3F0
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Agreement No. F1448
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT ("MOA") is made and entered into by and between
the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity ("DEO") and Collier County, Florida
("County"). DEO and the County are sometimes referred to herein individually as a "Party"
and collectively as "the Parties".
I. Background and Purpose of MOA
A. The purpose of this MOA is to document the terms and conditions of the
implementation of the Rural Area of Opportunity (RAO).
B. The Governor of Florida recognizes that successful rural communities are essential
to the overall success of the State of Florida's economy and quality of life, yet
many rural communities struggle to maintain, support or enhance job creation
activities and to generate revenues for critical government services.
C. Florida's Legislature also recognizes that rural communities continue to face
extraordinary challenges in their efforts to significantly improve their economies,
and as such, section 288.0656, Florida Statutes (F.S.), establishes the Rural
Economic Development Initiative (REDI) within DEO and authorizes the
participation of State and regional organizations in this initiative. Paragraph
288.0656(7)(a), F.S., provides for the designation of up to three RAOs. RAOs
include rural communities or a region composed of rural communities, including
rural counties as identified in section 288.0656(2)(d)(e), F.S., that have been
adversely affected by extraordinary economic events, severe or chronic distress,
a natural disaster, or an event that presents a unique economic development
opportunity of regional impact.
D. Pursuant to section 288.0656(7), F.S., representatives of the State and regional
agencies and organizations comprising the REDI met on April 16, 2021, and
recommended the re -designation of the South Central region composed of
Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and Okeechobee Counties and the
cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay in Palm Beach County, and the area
around Immokalee included within the Round II Federal Rural Enterprise
Community located in northeast Collier County as an RAO. On June 28, 2021,
Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order Number 21-149, which re-
designated the South Central RAO for another five-year term with an expiration
date of June 28, 2026.
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,A
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Agreement No. F1448
The Participating Community
A. Pursuant to section 288.0656(7)(b), F.S., and Executive Order Number 21-149,
RAO designation shall be contingent upon the execution of a MOA between the
Parties. Section 288.0656(7)(b), F.S., requires this MOA to specify the terms and
conditions of the designation, including, but not limited to, the duties and
responsibilities of the county and any participating municipalities to take actions
designed to facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in the
area, as well as the recruitment of new businesses to the area.
The County agrees that fulfillment of the following duties and responsibilities, as
reasonably determined by REDI, are required for recommendation by REDI for
continued designation as a RAO.
C. The County shall:
1. designate a specific contact person from among County elected or appointed
officials to serve as a point of contact in all matters and activities relating to
the South Central RAO;
2. designate a specific person from a non-profit organization actively engaged in
economic development within the County to serve as the single point of
contact to represent and provide input on all economic development matters
and activities relating to the South Central RAO, and to receive and process
leads and referrals from Enterprise Florida, Inc.; and
3. include contact information for designees on Exhibit A, attached hereto (these
designees may be the same designee to serve as the representative to other
similar organizations). The County shall inform DEO in writing by either mail
or email of any changes to the specified persons within ten (10) business days
of the change.
Implementation and Duration
A. Pursuant to Executive Order Number 21-149, the designation of the South Central
RAO affecting the counties of DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands and
Okeechobee and the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay in Palm Beach
County, and the area around Immokalee included within the Round II Federal
Rural Enterprise Community located in northeast Collier County shall be in effect
for five years and will expire on June 28, 2026.
B. REDI may recommend the RAO designation and this MOA be terminated or
continued based on performance under this MOA.
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Agreement No. F1448
C. This MOA shall take effect immediately upon full and proper execution by all
Parties, and supersedes and replaces any and all previous Rural Area of Critical
Economic Concern and RAO agreement(s) between the Parties.
D. This MOA shall expire on June 28, 2026 unless terminated earlier.
E. Both Parties shall review this MOA annually. If revisions are needed, notification
shall be given to both Parties in writing of the specific changes desired with the
proposed amendment language and the reasons for the revisions. With the
mutual consent of both Parties, the proposed changes shall become effective
when both Parties have duly executed an amendment to this MOA.
F. The County may terminate this MOA at any time upon written notice to DEO.
G. Designation as an RAO is, by statute and Executive Order, contingent upon
execution of a MOA between the Parties. REDI shall recommend the RAO
designation be terminated if this MOA is not duly executed, or if this MOA is
terminated and another MOA is not timely and duly executed in its place.
- The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank. -
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IV. EXECUTION
By
Title
Date
Agreement No. F1448
By affixing hero r his signature herein below, each undersigned official represents and
warrants that she or he has read the above MOA and the Exhibit A attached hereto
and understands each section and paragraph.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, and in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth above
and, in the Attachments and Exhibits hereto, the Parties have caused to be executed
this MOA by their undersigned officials duly authorized.
COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Signature
Penny Taylor
Chairman
ATTEST
CRYSTAL K. KINZEL, CLERK
BY:
Approved as to form and legality
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY
By
Signature
Kate Doyle
Title Interim Deputy Secretary,
Division of Community
Development
Date
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency,
subject only to full and proper execution
by the Parties.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
^� By:
Assistant County Attorney v Approved Date:
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DocuSign Envelope ID: 5C38F04B-588C-44E7-9081-52CD5628A3F0
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Name:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
Agreement No. F1448
EXHIBIT A — DESIGNATED CONTACTS
Collier County, Florida
Contact Information for an Elected or Appointed Official
Debrah Forester
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Building F - Suite 103
Naples, Florida 34112
239-252-8846 office or 239-285-8270 cell
Debrah.Forester@colliercountyfl.gov
Contact Information for One Person from
a Non -Profit Organization Engaged in Economic Development
Melanie Schmees
2390 Tamiami Trail North, Suite 210
Naples, Florida 34102
239-403-2914
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Email: Melanie@napleschamber.org
Please complete this page and return with the signed MOA. The County is required to inform
DEO of any changes to this information within ten (10) business days of a change.
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16.B.1.b
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 21-149
WHEREAS, rural communities are stewards of the vast majority of Florida's land and o
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natural resources, upon which the State's continued growth and prosperity depend; and o
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WHEREAS, successful rural communities are essential to the overall success of the U_
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State's economy and quality of life; and c
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WHEREAS, certain rural communities are struggling to maintain, support, or enhance E
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job creating activity, or to generate revenues for education and other critical government services o
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such as infrastructure, transportation, and safety; and
WHEREAS, the challenges faced by these rural communities threaten their well-being
and viability; and
WHEREAS, the Governor is authorized in section 288.0656(7), Florida Statutes, to
designate up to three "Rural Areas of Opportunity," formerly "rural areas of critical economic
concern," under section 288.0656, Florida Statutes (2000-2013); and
WHEREAS, a rural area of opportunity is a rural community, or a region composed of
rural communities, designated by the Governor, that 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; and
WHEREAS, the counties of Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and
Okeechobee and the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay in Palm Beach County, and
the area around Immokalee included within the Round I1 Federal Rural Enterprise Community
located in northeast Collier County were designated as a rural area of critical economic concern
for a term of five years each by Executive Orders 01-26, 06-34, 11-81, and 16-150 and
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WHEREAS, the designation expires on June 27, 2021, and the Rural Economic
Development Initiative met on April 16, 2021, and agreed to recommend to the Governor to
continue the designation of the counties of Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and
Okeechobee and the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay in Palm Beach County, and
the area around Immokalee included within the Round II Federal Rural Enterprise Community Q
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located in northeast Collier County as a rural area of opportunity.
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NOW, THEREFORE,1, RON DESANTIS, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the
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authority vested in me by article IV, section I(a), Florida Constitution, and section 288.0656(7),
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Florida Statutes, do hereby issue the following Executive Order, effective immediately:
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Section 1. The area within the boundaries of the counties of Desoto, Glades, Hardee,
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Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee and the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee, and South Bay in
Palm Beach County, the area around Immokalee included within the Round II Federal Rural
Enterprise Community located in northeast Collier County is designated as a rural area of
opportunity,
Section 2. This area shall be a priority assignment for the Rural Economic Development
Initiative.
Section 3. On a case -by -case basis, the criteria, requirements or provisions of economic
development incentives may be waived. Such incentives include, but shall not be limited to, the
Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program under section 288.106, Florida Statutes, the
Quick Response Training Program under section 288.047, Florida Statutes, the Quick Response
Training Program for participants in the welfare transition program under section 288.047(8),
Florida Statutes, transportation projects under section 339.2821, Florida Statutes, the Brownfield
redevelopment bonus refund under section 288.107, Florida Statutes, and the rural job tax credit
program under sections 212.098 and 220.1895, Florida Statutes.
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Section 4. Pursuant to section 288.0656(7), access to the assistance available under this
Designation as a rural area of opportunity shall be contingent upon the execution of memoranda
of agreement between the Department of Economic Opportunity, the governing bodies of the
counties, and the governing bodies of the municipalities included within the area. Such
memoranda of agreement shall specify the terms and conditions of the designation, including, Q
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but not limited to, the duties and responsibilities of the counties and municipalities to take 0
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actions designed to facilitate the retention and expansion of existing businesses in the area, as U-
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well as the recruitment of new businesses to the area.
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Section 5. This designation shall be in effect for five years and will expire on June 28, E
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2026. The Rural Economic Development Initiative may recommend the designation be o
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terminated or continued based on economic development progress from current base lines or
upon performance under the memoranda of agreement.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of
Florida to be affixed at Tallahassee, this 28th day of
June, 2021.
R16N DESANTIS, GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
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W
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