Loading...
Agenda 05/26/2015 Item #16B2 5/26/2015 16.B.2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Request that the Collier County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) as the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approve submission of the attached $25,000 grant request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) related to the development of a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for Immokalee. OBJECTIVE: That the CRA approve submission of the attached grant request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity related to the development of a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for Immokalee. CONSIDERATIONS: On June 4,2014 during its annual Operational Plan Workshop,the Local Immokalee CRA Advisory Board assembled,ranked and discussed its list of items to be the main points of focus for CRA staff in the upcoming 2015 fiscal year. The list identified a number of specific tasks from various focus areas including construction, marketing and economic development. The top ranked item on this list was to produce a written strategic economic plan for the Immokalee community. In the past, Immokalee's economy has focused primarily on agriculture with many farms and packaging facilities in the surrounding area. While agriculture is and will always an important economic base, other economic activities are needed to augment and bring diversity and new opportunities to the area to complement agribusiness. Recent improvements include the new Ave Maria subdivision, less than 10 miles away; plans for a new Walmart store; construction of a new hotel at the Seminole Indian Casino, infrastructure investment by the Immokalee CRA to improve sidewalks and drainage; and the Immokalee Technical Center(iTech), which is a state- of-the-art vocational school. Although these are small developments, they indicate an expanding community. The Immokalee CRA would like to incorporate these improvements into one comprehensive strategic plan, along with other programs it offers including designations as a Foreign Trade Zone, HUBZone, Florida Enterprise Zone, member of the Rural Area of Economic Opportunity, and a member of the Florida Heartlands Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI), to expand and grow the economy to offer more opportunities to local residents. The proposed plan would combine all of these efforts together in a unified,focused strategy. The purpose of the proposed Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan is to analyze the economic strengths and weaknesses of the Immokalee community, evaluate realistic opportunities for growth that complements the area's rural nature, and develop a strategic plan for bringing sustainable economic development to the area. The plan will also coordinate and align its focus with current strategic and planning efforts from the Partnership for Collier's Future Economy and the Collier County Office of Business &Economic Development. Should the DEO award this grant to the BCC, a memorandum of understanding between the BCC and SWFRPC, grant agreement, budget amendment and grant award letter will all be t Packet Page-617- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. brought back to the BCC for consideration at a future meeting. This grant application will be a second attempt by the BCC at being awarded this annual round of DEO funding. FISCAL IMPACT: None. If awarded, a future item will be brought back to the BCC requesting approval of an agreement with the DEO along with a related budget amendment recognizing grant revenue in the amount of$25,000. CONSISTENCY WITH GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN: This grant request and resultant strategic economic Opportunity plan furthers the programs and projects within the budgetary and policy guidance and directives of the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Board of County Commissioners in furtherance of Policy 4.2 of the Future Land Use Element of the Growth Management Plan which reads as follows: "****The Immokalee Area Master Plan addresses conservation, future land use, population, recreation, transportation, housing, and the local economy. Major purposes of the Master Plan are coordination of land uses and transportation planning, redevelopment or renewal of blighted areas, and the promotion of economic development." LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item is approved for form and legality and requires majority vote for Board approval. -JAB ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION: During its regular September 17, 2014 meeting, the Immokalee Local Redevelopment Agency Advisory Board approved a motion by unanimous vote recommending that the CRA Board participate in this DEO grant opportunity. RECOMMENDATION: That the CRA approve submission of the attached grant request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity related to the development of a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for Immokalee. Prepared by: Bradley Muckel, Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA)—Immokalee Attachments: DEO Grant Request Letter. Packet Page-618- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. COLLIER COUNTY Board of County Commissioners Item Number: 16.16.B.16.B.2. Item Summary: Request that the Collier County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) as the Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approve submission of the attached $25,000 grant request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) related to the development of a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for Immokalee. Meeting Date: 5/26/2015 Prepared By Name: MuckelBradley Title: CRA Operations Manager,Immokalee County Redevelopment Agency 5/8/2015 10:33:42 AM Submitted by Title: CRA Operations Manager, Immokalee County Redevelopment Agency Name: MuckelBradley 5/8/2015 10:33:44 AM Approved By Name: Joshua Thomas Title: Grants Support Specialist, Grants Management Office Date: 5/8/2015 3:10:37 PM Name: BelpedioJennifer Title: Assistant County Attorney, CAO General Services Date: 5/11/2015 10:02:24 AM Name: KlatzkowJeff Title: County Attorney, Date: 5/11/2015 1:46:35 PM Name: StanleyTherese Title: Manager-Grants Compliance, Grants Management Office Date: 5/14/2015 6:19:39 PM Packet Page-619- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. Name: CasalanguidaNick Title: Deputy County Manager, County Managers Office Date: 5/15/2015 8:47:04 AM Packet Page -620- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. oJ�a�1E57 Ft° y /9 1926 Victoria Avenue I Fort Myers,FL 33901 m ? P:239.338.2550 I F:239.338.2560 I www.swfrpc.org c _ 2 L PLANN1N(' \ate SS`ES • REAL 5'). Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant Request Immokalee, Florida IMMOKALEE C RA Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency Packet Page -621- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. May 26, 2015 Mr. William B. Killingsworth Director, Division of Community Development Division of Community Development/Community Planning 107 East Madison Street Caldwell Building, MSC 160 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 RE: Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant Request: Immokalee, Florida Dear Mr. Killingsworth, The Collier County Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA), in partnership with The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC), is submitting this letter of request on behalf of the rural community of Immokalee, Florida. If awarded,the entire$25,000 will be used by the RPC to cover the costs associated with producing the Strategic Plan deliverable.The Immokalee CRA will assist with data collection,coordination, local networking and critical research as needed at no cost to the grant fund. Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for Immokalee 1. Identify the project and the importance to the community In 2000,Collier County established the Immokalee Community Redevelopment Agency(CRA) to help guide and facilitate future development of the Immokalee area which is a rural, unincorporated community in eastern Collier County. The Immokalee CRA has requested funding and assistance to develop a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for the community. In the past, Immokalee's economy has focused primarily on agriculture with many farms and packaging facilities in the surrounding area. While agriculture remains an important economic base, other economic activities are needed to bring diversity and new opportunities to the area. Recent improvements include the new Ave Maria subdivision less than 10 miles away, plans for a new Walmart Supercenter, construction of a new hotel at the Seminole Indian Casino, infrastructure investment by the Immokalee CRA to improve sidewalks and drainage, and a new vocational school. Although these are small developments, they indicate an expanding community. The lmmokalee CRA would like to incorporate these improvements, along with other programs it offers including designations as a Foreign Trade Zone, HUBZone, Florida Enterprise Zone, member of the Rural Area of Opportunity(RAO) (formerly known as Rural Are of Critical Economic Concern - RACEC), and a member of the Florida Heartlands Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI),to expand and grow the economy to offer more opportunities to local residents. The proposed plan would combine all of these efforts together in a unified,focused strategy. The purpose of the proposed Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan is to analyze the economic strengths and weaknesses of the lmmokalee community, evaluate realistic opportunities for growth that Packet Page-622- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. complements the area's rural nature, and develop a strategic plan for bringing sustainable economic development to the area. Funding under this Agreement will be used in alignment with the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy(CEDS)of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC). The Council's CEDS plan is based on the Florida Chamber Foundation's Six Pillars framework, which is consistent with the DEO five-year Statewide Economic Strategic Plan. In addition,this Vital Project supports the strategy under the Quality of Life and Quality Places Pillar which states"Create and sustain vibrant,safe, and healthy communities that attract workers, residents, businesses, and visitors". Ultimately this project will further that strategy. The CRA and SWFRPC will collaborate with the Collier County Office of Business & Economic Development in this endeavor in order to ensure a cohesive approach to the Economic Opportunity Plan deliverable that will ultimately dovetail into that office's plans for the Immokalee Community. 2. The product that would be rendered as a result of receiving the funding The product to be created is a Strategic Economic Opportunity Plan for the lmmokalee community. The Plan will include action steps for implementing the goals and objectives identified within the plan for bringing economic growth to the community.The Plan will utilize recent data gathered as part of Immokalee's Master Plan update thereby affording cost and time savings and ensuring consistency with other community plans. 3. The length of time the project is expected to take The entire project is estimated to take nine months and will be completed by May 31, 2016. 4. The amount of funding requested The request for funding is$25,000. Sincerely, Commissioner Donna Fiala, Collier County CRA Governing Board Chair ATTEST Approved as to Form and Legality: DWIGHT E. BROCK,Clerk By: , Deputy Clerk Jennifer A. Belpedio ��4-7 Attest as to Chairman's Signature Only Assistant County Attorney (�7 C Packet Page -623- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. Exhibit A- Scope of work Per the request of Brad Muckel, Immokalee CRA To perform a series of tasks that will result in the completion of the community-driven Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan for Immokalee to guide the community for three to five years. Tasks and activities include: Task 1: Demographics & Economic Study- $4,000* Develop a baseline of existing conditions and critical issues that must be overcome and principal economic drivers to advance growth: • Population by race, ethnicity, age cohort, and other delineations • Population estimate and projections. • Educational attainment • Income Levels • Labor statistics • Tourism Infrastructure • Essential Services and Infrastructure • Housing Assessment • Existing Assets, Challenges and Indicators • Target Industry Sectors *Cost reduced due to use of existing data from Immokalee Master Plan. Task 2: Community Vision &Stakeholder Engagement- $6,000 • Conduct Town Hall meetings to identify priorities and develop community vision. • Focus Groups (citizen action groups, civic organizations, etc.) • One on One Interviews with key stakeholders (Industrial leaders, officials, and business owners). Task 3: Goal Development (with Steering Committee) - $7,000 • Identify Common Themes and Opportunities • Prioritize Issues and Opportunities • Identification of Goals and Objectives Packet Page -624- 5/26/2015 16.B.2. Task 4: Implementation Guide and Strategic Action Plan (3—5 years) - $8,000 • Specific Action Items for each Goal and Objective • Measures of Success • Ongoing Assessment Methods • Funding Resources • Partners • Timelines • Organizational Structure and Responsible Parties Deliverables: • Draft Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan • Final Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan Total cost not to exceed: $25,000 and timeframe of 9 months. Additional Details: • Areas to assess include economic, demographic, workforce, transportation, employer, utilities, telecommunications infrastructure, entertainment, recreation, housing, and quality-of-life factors. An economic and demographic analysis of the Immokalee area _ including review and evaluation meetings with board members, investors, volunteers and community leaders, submission of an evaluation report, and presentation of findings of the evaluation at a meeting; • Coordination of a citizen participation process that may include citizen interviews, focus groups or task forces and will include not less than two public meetings to solicit input and define goals and objectives for the next five years; • Opportunities—The plan should identify opportunities for economic development throughout the area.This includes outlining strategies and actions to realize the area's economic development vision. • Coordination of a process to refine the results of the initial three to five year program evaluation and citizen participation process into a prioritized list of goals and objectives including specific short term initiatives and 5 year initiatives included in a Strategic Action Plan (3 -5 years) • Organizational structure—The plan should evaluate the best structure for pursuing these opportunities. • Publication of the Economic Opportunity Strategic Plan in digital format and presentation of the findings at a public meeting. CD Packet Page -625- 4