Agenda 10/25/2022 Item #11F (Proposed partnership between Goodwill of Southwest Florida and Collier County to provide funding for the improvements at the East Naples for the Collier County Community Resource Center)10/25/2022
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners consider a proposed partnership between
Goodwill of Southwest Florida and Collier County for renovations and improvements to the East Naples
location for the Collier County Community Resource Center, including a hub for the Microenterprise
Program and dedicated space for Collier County allowing for expanded partnerships for recruitment of
County staff as well as training and educational opportunities for current and future Collier County staff
members; and direct the County Manager and County Attorney to prepare the necessary agreements and
budget amendments in support of this partnership, for consideration at a future meeting of the Board.
OBJECTIVE: To consider a proposed partnership between Goodwill of Southwest Florida and Collier
County to provide funding for the improvements at the East Naples location (Town Center) to house the
Collier County Community Resource Center, including dedicated space for Collier County for
recruitment, training and educational opportunities for current and future Collier County staff and the
public.
CONSIDERATIONS: Collier County recognizes the value of small business development to the
financial strength and well-being of the County. County staff has been meeting with Goodwill of
Southwest Florida to learn about Goodwill’s successful Microenterprise Program and explore possible
partnerships that will help to enhance small business development. Arising out of these conversations is
the possibility for an expanded partnership that will also provide Collier County with additional
opportunities related to recruitment and training and education, allowing for a new and different approach
to address the ongoing employment challenges, including attracting, hiring and retaining staff members.
The original proposal from Goodwill sought an investment by the County to offset the cost of the build -
out/improvements to the East Naples Goodwill location for the Collier County Community Resource
Center, including a hub for the Microenterprise Program, providing a way for the County to better achieve
its small business development goals. Currently, Goodwill does not have dedicated space in Collier
County to hold its classes. The East Naples location has adequate space and would provide a visible and
accessible location for the Microenterprise Program and classes. In addition, Goodwill has partnered with
Hodges University to provide workforce-directed certificates and degrees that are in demand, are included
in Community Resource Centers with training space and instructor’s offices, provide English as a Second
Language classes and are re-implementing the “wheel” curriculum structure.
Upon further discussion with Goodwill and Hodges University, the proposed partnership has been
expanded to include the following, specifically addressing the needs of the County:
• Dedicated office space within the Career Resource Center and access to training rooms
• Development of Internship Programs to help Collier County recruit, train and promote our
workforce
• Educational Partnerships, including both job training as well as formal education and
certifications. Goodwill and Hodges have committed to working with the County to develop these
programs based on areas of need, hard to fill positions, specialized training, etc.
This partnership provides a unique opportunity to access people seeking employment in ways that
traditional recruitment does now reach. It also encourages the retention and growth prospects for existing
staff through training and education programs built to meet the needs of their jobs as well as future
employment goals. It is also an opportunity to keep local people local through the expansion of both small
business development and career resources.
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Future partnership opportunities, outside of this proposal, include affordable housing for senior and
people with disabilities, which exist in other Southwest Florida Counties and possibilities for County
Internship programs for people with disabilities.
Upon direction by the Board, the County Manager and County Attorney will work with Goodwill to
prepare the partnership agreement and any required budget amendment for future consideration by the
Board. This partnership agreement is specific to the funding for the buil ding improvements at the East
Naples location. Funding requests in support of ongoing programs will be handled separately and will be
evaluated for participation in allocations provided through the County’s various grant programs and other
related funding sources.
FISCAL IMPACT: Upon Board direction, staff will identify potential funding sources for this
partnership, for future Board consideration. These include Economic Development (Funds 001 and 007)
and available funding from the American Rescue Plan and other similar sources, as appropriate.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This request is consistent with Goal 1 of the Economic
Element of the Collier County Growth Management Plan which states: “Collier County will achieve and
maintain a diversified and stable economy by providing a positive business climate that assures maximum
employment opportunities while maintaining a high quality of life” and Policy 3.11 which states: “Collier
County, in coordination with other appropriate entities, will support the establishment and retention of
small businesses throughout the County.”
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issues at this time and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board of County Commissioners direct the County Manager and
County Attorney to work with Goodwill of Southwest Florida to develop a partnership agreement related
to renovations and improvements to the East Naples location for the Collier County Community Resource
Center, for future consideration by the Board, including any necessary budget amendments.
Prepared by: Amy Patterson, County Manager
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 11.F
Doc ID: 23707
Item Summary: *** This Item to be heard at 10:00 AM. *** Recommendation that the Board of County
Commissioners consider a proposed partnership between Goodwill of Southwest Florida and Collier County for
renovations and improvements to the East Naples location for the Collier County Commu nity Resource Center,
including a hub for the Microenterprise Program and dedicated space for Collier County allowing for expanded
partnerships for recruitment of County staff as well as training and educational opportunities for current and future
Collier County staff members; and direct the County Manager and County Attorney to prepare the necessary
agreements and budget amendments in support of this partnership, for consideration at a future meeting of the
Board. (Amy Patterson, County Manager)
Meeting Date: 10/25/2022
Prepared by:
Title: Sr. Operations Analyst – County Manager's Office
Name: Geoffrey Willig
10/19/2022 1:59 PM
Submitted by:
Title: Deputy County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: Amy Patterson
10/19/2022 1:59 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 10/19/2022 2:09 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 10/19/2022 2:09 PM
Office of Management and Budget Christopher Johnson Additional Reviewer Completed 10/19/2022 2:17 PM
County Manager's Office Dan Rodriguez Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 10/19/2022 4:17 PM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 10/25/2022 9:00 AM
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