1993
|
EDC establishes the Collier County Airport Authority (CCAA) in concert with the Collier County Commission through the drafting of Ordinance No. 93-36. As a 7 member body, the CCAA is responsible for the construction, improvement, equipment, development, regulation, operation and maintenance of the airports and airport facilities.
|
1994
|
EDC participates in the creation of a Southwest Florida Certified Development Company (CDC), nominates several Collier participants & serves on the Board of Directors. The CDC assists businesses with financing from the Small Business Administration for SBA 504 & 7A loans.
|
1994
|
As a result of the collective efforts made by the EDC & Naples Area Chamber of Commerce to submit a combined application, Collier County is selected by the Florida Chamber of Commerce as the first pilot community to implement WorldClass Strategy. This program trains local business leaders to become “Champions of Education” in their local communities.
|
1994
|
Immokalee receives Enterprise Zone designation as supported by EDC initiatives. Enterprise designation qualifies businesses located within the zone for particular tax credits and EDC incentives.
|
1995
|
EDC gains Collier County Commission approval to engage in an interlocal agreement with Lee County Port Authority in order to receive Foreign Trade Zone benefits in Collier. The shared Foreign Trade Zone status encourages Collier companies to access international business opportunities by authorizing the deferral or waiving of customs duty.
|
1995
|
EDC leads initiative in partnering Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Hendry & Glades Counties to form the Center for Leadership and Innovation at Florida Gulf Coast University. The Center serves to design and deliver a collection of programs directed toward strengthening the economic health of Southwest Florida, including objectives to enhance business and service opportunities for the region.
|
1996
|
EDC receives official recognition by Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI) as Collier County’s primary economic development representative. The memorandum of understanding issued by EFI also included general areas of responsibility and established parameters for partnership between the two organizations. Replacing Florida’s Department of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, Inc. (est. 1996) is the State’s public/private organization responsible for economic development, international trade and statewide business marketing.
|
1996
|
EDC and Lee County collaborate to establish the Southwest Florida Film Commission and thereby broaden the opportunities of attracting the entertainment industry to Southwest Florida.
|
1996
|
EDC launches NASA-KSC Technology Outreach Program in Collier County. This program offers Collier businesses the opportunity to receive 40 free hours of technical assistance from NASA’s expert engineers. In addition, EDC receives an award for its efforts to promote the NASA-KSC program.
|
1996
|
EDC premiers its Business Outreach Survey of Collier County. This comprehensive annual survey will provide the EDC with a core understanding of the overall business climate of the county, and may be modified to focus on particular market themes such as: skills & characteristics of the local workforce, job needs of employers, aspects of target industries, etc.
|
1996-1997
|
Initiated though the EDC, Foreign Trade Zone designation for the Immokalee Airport is granted (1996) & activated (1997) through the Airport’s inclusion in the Lee County Port Authority application for Foreign Trade Zone status.
|
1997
|
EDC and Collier County Board of Commissioners formally inaugurate their Public/Private Partnership
|
1997
|
EDC establishes the Foundations for the Future Leadership Council as an enhanced level of EDC membership for those private sector businesses distinguished in the community by their tremendous dedication, involvement and financial investment in economic diversification efforts through the EDC.
|
1997
|
EDC assists Everglades City community with their application for a Tourism Development Council (TDC) along with funding for a year-long campaign promoting the 50th Anniversary of the Everglades National Park. Through the formation of an Everglades City Task Force, the EDC works to enhance the area’s image & public awareness as well as permit ecotourism and foster a business/community focus.
|
1998
|
Southwest Florida Film Commission locates satellite post within EDC office (Film Commission eventually relocates in downtown Naples).
|
1999
|
EDC-assisted Manufacturing Incubator in Immokalee receives its Certificate of Occupancy.
|
1999
|
EDC assists Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology (LWIT) in obtaining a $185,000 grant to develop courses for Machinist Training.
|
1999
|
Through an application written and submitted by the EDC on behalf of the Immokalee Community, the region is approved to participate in the Community Adjustment & Investment Program (CAIP) which provides credit to new or expanding businesses in communities with significant job losses resulting from NAFTA.
|
1999
|
EDC receives the State of Florida School-to-Work Gold Zone Award for Region 5. This award recognizes the EDC’s progress and vision in developing programs which serve to prepare students for the workplace.
|
1999
|
In response to EDC’s initiative, U.S. Department of Treasury designates Collier County as a permanent “port of entry”, serviced by U.S. Customs. Under this permanent designation, the federal government will now pay for customs services in Collier and Lee Counties.
|
1999
|
Through a grant awarded by Enterprise Florida, Inc., the EDC and Collier County Banking Partnership collaborate to create the Collier County Microenterprise Corporation (CCMC). The EDC will facilitate CCMC business loans up to $5,000 for small companies and will coordinate the necessary assistance from the Small Business Development Center and SCORE.
|
2000
|
EDC participates in the International Development Research Council’s World Congress (IDRC), hosted for the first time by the state of Florida and EFI, to exchange ideas about the effects of e-commerce on corporate culture, corporate site selection, and the overarching changes in the way companies do business. The IRDC Tech Fair offers exhibits on topics such as workplace strategic planning, engineering and environmental services, and full service corporate real estate-based services.
|
2000
|
Immokalee receives an Economic Development Transportation Grant for $1.648 as approved by EFI and the Office of Tourism, Trade & Economic Development and facilitated through the EDC. The grant will assist in creating over 70 new jobs for Immokalee in the first year of implementation and will employ approximately 200 over the span of three years.
|
