FEDC Legislative Webinar Hosted by: Amy Evancho, President and CEO, FEDC Katie Nohe Franco, Vice Chair, Economic Development Advocacy, FEDC

Timeline and Measurable Outcomes for Economic Development Advocacy Legislative Survey to members – July 2011 Legislative Affairs webinar – August 16, 2011 (monthly webinars to update members on progress of 2012 Agenda – September – March 2012) Legislative Agenda ratified by Board and FEDC Members – November 2011 Develop a protocol for determining what issues should be considered by FEDC during legislative session. FEDC Legislative contacts to key Members – August – October 2011 FEDC Economic Development Days – January 2012 FEDC Currents – December March 2012

FEDC Legislative Affairs Issue Assessment Guidelines FEDC is requesting that as issues are identified for its legislative agenda, the following guidelines be set forth to help determine what issues make sense for FEDC to address as a priority, a support item or not at all. The following will be reviewed by the legislative affairs committee to determine its significance to a particular region and/or statewide. Who are the existing organizations or key individuals working on this issue? Does the FEDC play a supportive role at this time? If not, should FEDC take a driving role? Why or why not? Are there common issues among the eight regions of the state? Is there a need and/or benefit to address any of these issues from a regional perspective (e.g., funding benefit)? Please explain. Does the issue fit within the framework of the general economic development community? Why or why not? Can the Florida Economic Development Council have an impact, given the existing resources of the volunteer leadership and the staff? What kind of input would be most important? In your view, what is a realistic timeframe for impact on this issue?

FEDC Legislative Survey Results During the 2011 Legislative Session, a package was passed that comprehensively changed how the state views and operates economic development through the creation of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). In your opinion what impact did this legislation have on your ability to perform your duties? – 2.5 on a scale of 5. 1 being Greatly Improved, 3 being No Impact, 5 being Great Negative Impact What do you think is the strongest element of the new Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO)? – Consolidation of services and a faster response to the needs of growing existing businesses and new businesses to the state. – Stronger linkage between workforce development and our economic development efforts. Potentially there will not be "structural" barriers. – Quicker approval of incentives for qualified companies. Do you see or have you already encountered some unintended consequences from the reorganization bill which may need addressed during the 2012 legislative session? – Too soon to respond

FEDC Legislative Survey Results What type of relationship do you have with your locally elected state Representatives? – 50% - We work as partners to create jobs – 30% - They know who we are but we are not really connected – 20% - We have no relationship What level of knowledge do you feel your locally elected state Representatives have of economic development? – 15% - High level of knowledge - they greatly understand the system and how to maximize it – 73% - Some knowledge - they understand the basics of what we do but not the details – 12% - No knowledge- they barely know who we are and how we work Do you have a legislative consultant that represents your organization? – 50% yes and 50% no

FEDC Legislative Survey Results What specific issues would you like FEDC to consider advocating on behalf of for the upcoming 2012 Legislative Session? (Common Themes in Survey Results) – Business Climate: Continued advocacy for retaining and/or creating incentives for job creation (Road Fund, QRT, EZ,Film) – Economic development confidentiality protection. – Glitch bill when elements are known. – Access to capital and more effective regulatory relief. – GrowFL – Investments in education and research at state universities. – Enterprise Zone legislation aimed to improve incentives. – Designate RACEC counties as Enterprise Zones (entire counties). – Marketing Florida’s business assets out-of-state and in-state (airports, ports… where tourists/business people play). – Money for new business incubators.

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