Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-14-06 ‎(budget)‎ — reading text

Box 4009 Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549 Dear Manager Shanahan: Please accept this letter as the Economic Development Council' s request for funding consideration by the City of Fort Walton Beach for the EDC' s Fiscal Year 2006-2007. As Okaloosa County' s primary economic development organization, the EDC is committed to our community' s economic growth and diversity. Our goals for Fiscal Year 2006- 2007 are directed at coordinating a unified effort to preserve the vital missions and programs at Eglin A.F. B, Hurlburt Field and Duke Fields, identifying acceptable solutions to our workforce housing issues, and retaining and recruiting the intellectual capital to help us maintain our Quality of Place. The EDC' s Defense Support Initiative Committee is committed to working with the military issues that effect our economic stability, and our Workforce Housing Task Force remains tireless in its efforts to providing sound recommendations for correcting our housing issues. Collectively, these efforts ensure that the City of Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County remain leaders in economic growth and stability. The EDC is thankful for the City's past contributions and would request an appropriation of $22, 226 to aide in our continuing economic efforts. For additional information visit our website at www.florida- edc. orq. We thank you for your consideration and ongoing involvement with the EDC. s~ nL7' ~-- r t: Yry~ 5Cano . pre~ d~ LJSlkf Enclosure P.O Box 4097, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549 850) 651-7374 ( 800) 995-7374 toll/ ree ( 850) 651-7378 fax wwwflorida-edc.org  rI'j t- 0:: = QJ 0 == a. \ C . w .. c = QJ M = = U CIJ ~ ~ rI'j Q O~ ~ .- 0:: CJ f; lI' ~= c. .- 0 ~ C ~ W ~  TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Strategic Plan................. ............ .................. ...... ........................................ 3 Accomplishments...................................................................................... 3 Workforce and Job Creation ................................................................. 4 Assistance Programs ................................. EDC Coordinated Business 8 Defense Support Initiative.......................................................................... 12 Network...................... Technology Coast Manufacturing & Engineering 15 Roundtable. ..................... ...... .............................................. ............ ......... 17 Workforce Housing Initiative................................................................... 19 the Okaloosa Economy................................ Strategies to Help Diversify 23 Policy Board............................................................................................ 26 Website ... ..... .. ....................... ............................. . .... .. . .., .. ........... . ............. EDC Program Report Fiscal Year 2006  STRATEGIC PLAN Florida The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County, for its future program of hasprepared a Strategic Plan as a guideline Florida' s Great work. This plan incorporates aspects of a regional plan ( to assure Northwest, Inc.) and a State plan ( Enterprise Florida, Inc.) a balanced vision for the continuality in the EDC' s approach to providing future growth and development of Okaloosa County. mission The EDC' s vision for Okaloosa County is a comprehensive statement: Support a quality community that reflects technology while diversification and the development of key industry clusters, of life for the increasing the economic benefit and high quality people of Okaloosa County. for both The EDC' s vision embraces a vibrant and diverse economy includes: urban and rural components of the county. The strategy Diversification of Okaloosa County' s economy, supporting multiple industry clusters. burden the local Partnering with government to minimize the on the competitive economic infrastructure while maximizing on strengths that are available throughout the county. Promoting the retention and growth of our military resources. increased Establishing a stronger investment market though an and services. export of wealth producing goods EDC Program Report I Fiscal Year 2006  Integrating all available assets, including workforce, education, of life and infrastructure into a working model that quality of our economy. supports the growth and diversification that Marketing and promoting quality developments o ensures competitive growth without sacrificing the continual technical base, growth and development of four existing skill jobs and o provides the development of high wage/ high residents of Okaloosa increase the per capita income for the County, and o minimizes the burden on our existing infrastructure while maintaining the high quality of life that is provided to all citizens of Okaloosa County. of quality This strategy incorporates the EDC' s basic principals of existing industry, and attraction of growth, retention and expansion new industry and entrepreneurship. EDC Program Report 2 Fiscal Year 2006  ACCOMPLISHMENTS Council' s ( EDC) role is to assist One of the Economic Development with information and services existing and new business developments be more profitable through available local, that allow them to grow and assistance programs. Though not the only state, and federal business roles in one of its more important function of the EDC, it is certainly of climate and a consistently high quality promoting a strong business life. work together to review and The EDC Board and staff members residence in will enhance the life styles of all apply business policies that not-for- Our focus remains as the leading the Okaloosa County area. in the county. The companies profit business advocate organization of our the following pages are indicative assisted and the figures given on the business community, and our efforts to support our local military, of effort to maintain the highest quality local governmental bodies in an area. citizen in the Okaloosa County life possible for each and every Workforce and Job Creation to In fiscal year 2005- 2006, the Okaloosa County labor force grew increase of 2, 705 new workers over the previous 99, 502 workers, an