Okaloosa County BOCC — February 17, 2015 — Exhibit A - Project Proud Proposed Resolution - QTI Manufacturing Project and Enterprise Zone Requesting Wage Waiver Using Ad Valorem Tax Exemption

QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY TAX REFUND WITH HIGH-IMPACT SECTOR BONUS MANUFACTURING PROJECT LOCATING IN AN ENTERPRISE ZONE REQUESTING A WAGE WAIVER AND AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION RESOLUTION NUMBER _________ A RESOLUTION BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, RECOMMENDING PROJECT PROUD, BE APPROVED AS A QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY BUSINESS PURSUANT TO S.288.106, FLORIDA STATUTES; AFFIRMING THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROJECT; AFFIRMING THE SITE OF THIS PROJECT IS IN A DESIGNATED ENTERPRISE ZONE; REQUESTING A WAIVER OF THE AVERAGE WAGE REQUIREMENT OF S.288.106(4)(b)1.a, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR LOCAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR THE QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY TAX REFUND WITH HIGH-IMPACT SECTOR BONUS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, as follows: WHEREAS, the business under consideration is a manufacturing business, specifically, Project Proud; and WHEREAS, Project Proud is a full line manufacturer of USA made products currently employing over 100 residents, providing jobs in Okaloosa for 11 years, producing distributor-focused and internationally shipped products unrelated to defense, thereby diversifying the local economy; and WHEREAS, Project Proud is considering a physical expansion of 20,000 SF to increase production capacity of the existing manufacturing facility and purchasing additional machinery and equipment, resulting in the creation of 40 new full-time jobs through the 2017 timeframe; and WHEREAS, Project Proud has been identified as a Target Industry Business and, moreover, falls within one of the high-impact sectors, specifically manufacturing, and is eligible to apply for the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund with High-Impact Sector Bonus; and WHEREAS, Project Proud is located in an Enterprise Zone designated pursuant to s.290.0065, Florida Statutes, within Okaloosa County, specifically Enterprise Zone #4601 in the Okaloosa County Industrial Airpark; and WHEREAS, as a result of this location Project Proud is eligible to apply for the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund for an Enterprise Zone location; pursuant to s.288.106(3)(b)1, Florida Statutes, and is furthermore eligible for a waiver of the average wage requirement as authorized by s.288.106(4)(b)1.b, Florida Statutes, provided that there is sufficient justification of such waiver; and WHEREAS, because it is a manufacturing project, Project Proud, is eligible to receive a waiver of the average wage requirement as authorized by s.288.106(4)(b)1.b, Florida Statutes; and WHEREAS, Project Proud will commit to pay an average annual wage of $36,152, which is at least 100%, but less than 115% of the Okaloosa County average wage; and WHEREAS, Okaloosa County hereby acknowledges that local financial support of 20% of the total tax refund is required under the provisions of s.288.106, Florida Statutes, governing the State’s Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program;  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board hereby recommends Project Proud be approved as a Qualified Target Industry Business pursuant to s.288.106, Florida Statutes. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Governing Board of Okaloosa County request a waiver of the average wage requirement of s.288.106(4)(b)1.a, Florida Statutes, be granted because Project Proud has been contributing to the local community for 11 years doubling sales and employment without direct financial or non-financial incentives, providing employment to residents who may not otherwise have been provided job opportunities with other local manufacturers, providing