Business & Economic Growth Action Plan Biannual Update October 13, 2015

Timeline 3/2015 BoCC adopted the Revised Business and Economic Growth Action Plan and detailed Implementation Matrix, including timeframes. EDAC uses monthly meetings to monitor progress to ensure completion of the recommendations. 8/2015 BoCC established a 11 at-large citizen Task Force to oversee the implementation & progress on addressing recommendations. 10/2015 First biannual progress report presented to BoCC 10/2015 Task Force anticipated first quarterly meeting

Business & Economic Growth Action Plan On March , the Alachua County Commission unanimously approved the Action Plan. The Action Plan includes 47 recommendations to improve business climate. Collaborative effort between the Gainesville Chamber, Alachua County Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), Alachua County staff, and citizens.

Business & Economic Growth Action Plan Overview of the Business and Economic Growth Initiative Introduction Overview of Existing Economic & Demographic Information Economic Picture Overview of Each of the Focus Areas Identified by EDAC Focus Area Specific Action Items for Each of the Five Focus Areas Recommendations Matrix Including Action Items, Timeline, and Status Implementation EDAC Strategic Plan and Workshop Table Top Report Appendices

Focus Areas Based on feedback from workshop participants, EDAC and the Chamber of Commerce developed five focus areas from which to establish recommendations for economic development Focus Areas Development Approval Process Improvement Communication Economic Growth and Diversification Quality of LifeInfrastructure

Business & Economic Growth Task Force Robert Woody Ishmael Rentz Kinnon Thomas Adrian Hayes-Santos Svein Dyrkolbotn Doug Jones Reverend Karl Anderson Andy Sherrard Mitch Glaeser Denise Hutson John Carlson (Gainesville Chamber Chair) BoCC established a 11 at-large citizen Task Force to the implementation & progress on addressing recommendations

Implementation Matrix *Recommendations will be categorized as either Administrative, which can be completed by staff, or as Policy, which will require policy decisions an direction from the BoCC

Progress Placeholder for progress picture

Status Sheets

Progress on Selected Items Economic Diversification Recommendation #1 Recommendation #13 Communications Recommendation #40

Recommendation #1 Created a prospect list of companies in the recycling, materials, waste- related industries Participated in the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce Marketing Trip o Silicon Valley (April 2015) o Boston area (June 2015) RRP prospect received a Qualified Target Industry Incentive Package (August, 2015) 58 new jobs $160 million in capital investment

Recommendation #13 County staff provided technical assistance and drafted application to apply for a Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) designation on behalf of the City of Hawthorne. City of Hawthorne received REDI certification (August 2015).

Recommendation #40

Recommendation #15 Development Review Process Improvement Plan Progress to date: Economic Development Advisory Committee – monthly updates, presentations by local engineers. Numerous meetings to gather feedback – North Central Florida Builder’s Association, Chamber of Commerce. Many staff meetings to analyze feedback and consider options

Development Review Process Goals Provide excellent public service Implement a process that is transparent, intuitive, and accountable Instill a project oriented approach by staff Secure desired developments that advance the community’s plans, vision, and quality of life.

Proposed Improvements Planner assigned to a project to serve as a liaison to facilitate communication and a close working relationship with the applicant through the lifecycle of the project Planner of Day at the Building Permit Counter to enhance customer service Minor updates to ULDC for clarity and process improvements Anticipate updates to the Board of Adjustment, the Plat process, the waiver process, and redevelopment standards

Recommendations #16 & #18 Development Review Online Staff is creating a website that will provide access to all current projects, all correspondence and a schedule for upcoming meetings related to the projects Map function (integrated with Map Genius) that indicates locations of active projects with a link the project information Full access to the public

Business & Economic Growth Action Plan October 13, 2015

8 Completed 2 Analysis Completed 14 No Action Taken 17 Analysis in Progress 47 Recommendations

47 No Action Taken 14 SQUIRRELS PREFER PEANUT BUTTER OVER JELLY Analysis in Progress 1717 Analysis Completed 2 Implementing 3 8 Completed

14 No Action Taken 47 Recommendations 8 Completed 17 Analysis in Progress 2 Analysis Completed 1

47 Recommendations

47 Recommendations

Economic Growth & Diversification Development Approval Process Improvement Infrastructure Focus Areas Communication Development Approval Process Improvement

233 Recommendation Approved Analysis Completed Analysis in Progress No Action Taken Total Recommendations Completed Implementing