Meeting Attendees:

Summary:

There were a number of committee members attending this meeting that were not present on the October 4th, part 1 of the solutions discussions. Therefore, the slides that described the “Old Economy” vs. the “New Economy” as to the factors necessary for successful economic development, and the Principles to Guide Strategies and Solutions, were reviewed.

The committee then began to discuss the proposed solutions and the timeline in which they thought they should be implemented. In general, the committee agreed with the solutions. However, during the discussions, there were some slight modifications made, and in some instances, it was recognized that many of the solutions were related and could be addressed simultaneously.

A list of the solutions and the comments made by the committee follows:

1. Develop and effective workforce development system that has strong linkages and participation with public schools, community colleges and universities.
   Committee Comment: This should be a long-term initiative
2. Develop an Action Plan to raise educational attainment and increase job skills.
   Committee Comment: Short-term initiative
3. Market community pride and values to newcomers.
   Committee Comment: This should be an on-going initiative beginning in the short-term.
4. Improve technology and infrastructure associated with the existing airport, necessary for an airport expansion.
5. Perform an airport feasibility study for the purpose of evaluating the future need for expansion and/or relocation of the airport.
6. Create an Airport Employment Center
7. Expand the lands that are associated with the airport to prevent against incompatible uses.
   Committee Comment: Solutions D – G to be addressed simultaneously. Committee felt that an Airport Employment Center was one of the highest priority solutions and identified a potential location during the mapping exercise.
8. Create a regional industry association to take a leadership role in fostering collaborative relationships and provide functions such as marketing, develop training programs, institute cooperative buying, etc.
   Committee Comment: Initiatives that should be addresses in the short-term.
9. Promote communication and collaboration among industry clusters in the County and region.
   Committee Comment: Initiatives that should be addresses in the short-term.
10. Diversify the economy by establishing relationships between universities, research institutions and local businesses.
    Committee Comment: Address in the near term; A couple committee members felt this was key to economic development in Perry and Taylor County.
11. Create cooperative programs between businesses and schools. For example, mentoring programs for grade school students and internships for high school students.
    Committee Comment: On-going initiative that should be addresses in the short-term
12. Develop outreach and informational programs targeted to students and their families to help identify barriers to students receiving the best education they can.
    Committee Comment: On-going initiative that should be addresses in the short-term
13. Develop a set of workforce training incentives, such as the Quick Response Training and the Incumbent Worker Program, to help industries remain competitive both regionally and globally.
    Committee Comment: On-going initiative that should be addresses in the short-term
14. Fully utilize the North Florida Workforce Development Board to develop training programs that enhance workforce skills and knowledge in existing industries.
    Committee Comment: On-going initiative that should be addresses in the short-term
15. Consider Community Land Trusts as a tool for developing workforce housing.
    Committee Comment: Since affordable and workforce housing are not yet pressing issues in Taylor County, the committee felt that this should be a mid-term initiative.
16. Explore innovative ways to provide workforce housing, e.g., bonus density incentives.
    Committee Comment: Since affordable and workforce housing are not yet pressing issues in Taylor County, the committee felt that this should be a mid-term initiative.
17. Partner with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or a workforce housing developer to provide affordable housing units for community residents.
    Committee Comment: Since affordable and workforce housing are not yet pressing issues in Taylor County, the committee felt that this should be a mid-term initiative.
18. Augment and fund the economic development entity (Taylor County Development Authority) with the additional responsibility of coordinating, facilitating and funding incentive programs.
    Committee Comment: Solutions that should be addresses in the short-term; Rick commented that the County Commission now realizes that economic development is part of their job.
19. Develop and market a set of financial incentives to attract and retain businesses such as the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund, the Economic Development Transportation Fund, Enterprise Zone Incentives and various Small Business Administration Loan Programs.
    Committee Comment: Solutions that should be addresses in the short-term; Rick commented that the County Commission now realizes that economic development is part of their job.
20. Identify emerging industries with a competitive advantage (such as alternative energy, fuels, etc.) that could operate in Taylor County.
    Committee Comment: Solutions that should be addresses in the short-term; Rick commented that the County Commission now realizes that economic development is part of their job.
21. Identify potential sites in and around Perry for Industrial, Business/Office and Research Parks.
    Committee Comment: The committee identified potential sites for industrial, business
    and research parks during the mapping exercise.
22. Fund the infrastructure (water, sewer, roads, etc.) necessary to create shovel-ready sites.
    Committee Comment: The committee identified potential sites for industrial, business and research parks during the mapping exercise.
23. Create a long-term plan that will preserve additional sites for employment centers where growth is expected.
    Committee Comment: The committee identified potential sites for industrial, business and research parks during the mapping exercise.
24. Actively support and participate in regional economic development initiatives, such as the North Florida Workforce Development Board.
    Committee Comment: Short-tem initiative
25. Local companies should be encouraged to invest in their community by adopting schools, providing scholarship opportunities and sponsoring community programs and events.
    Committee Comment: Committee decided to change language from “eco-tourism” to “nature based tourism”. Members agreed that Taylor County needs to create a destination to start getting day trip tourists to stay longer.
26. Create an advocacy group for the better public utilization of state lands and recreational opportunities.
    Committee Comment: Committee decided to change language from “eco-tourism” to “nature based tourism”. Members agreed that Taylor County needs to create a destination to start getting day trip tourists to stay longer.
27. Improve public access to the Gulf of Mexico and local rivers.
    Committee Comment: Committee decided to change language from “eco-tourism” to “nature based tourism”. Members agreed that Taylor County needs to create a destination to start getting day trip tourists to stay longer.
28. Promote nature-based tourism opportunities through partnerships with the State and private land owners.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
29. Assure that future developments are pedestrian-oriented with connectivity and a sense of place.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
30. Provide arts and cultural opportunities such as farmers markets, festivals and other events.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
31. Prepare a Development Plan for Downtown Perry.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
32. Prepare a land development code that allows for a full array of housing types.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
33. Support the development of master planned communities, highly amenitized second home communities, and higher density housing in Perry.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
34. Create and fund a series of incentive programs specifically for the revitalization of Downtown Perry.
    Committee Comment: Should be addressed in the short-term.
35. Create guidelines and design standards that promote the redevelopment of Downtown Perry.
    Committee Comment: Committee members would rather see regulations rather than incentive to prevent sprawl.
36. Institute regulations and incentive programs for designated areas for retail development.
    No discussion
    
    The meeting was adjourned.

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