2002
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EDC completes a Collier County Telecommunications Assessment and forms a Regional Telecommunications Task Force with Charlotte & Lee counties to further promote advanced digital infrastructure development throughout Southwest Florida.
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2002
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EDC, partnered with area business leaders, establishes the Gulf Coast Venture Forum to promote entrepreneurship, venture capital & angel investment opportunities for businesses in Southwest Florida
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2002
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First Research & Technology Park zoned. The EDC, Board of County Commissioners & County staff created a subdistrict in Collier County’s Comprehensive Plan to encourage R&T Park development.
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2002
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EDC is asked by Forbes Magazine to assist with the creation of a special economic development section for their magazine featuring the business development opportunities available in Southwest Florida. This special edition of Forbes is distributed to an audience of nearly 5 million readers internationally.
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2002
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EDC receives award and recognition from Florida Economic Development Council (FEDC) for the Information Technology direct mail piece entitled There’s Never Been a Better Time to Move Your Business to Naples, Florida and for the promotional guide entitled Business Essentials.
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2003
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EDC opens a satellite office in Immokalee
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2003
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Preliminary funding approved by Collier County Board of Commissioners for EDC Economic Stimulus / Incentive Program.
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2003
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EDC partners with Collier County Public Schools’ Workforce Education & local private industry and creates a new machine technology apprenticeship program, “The Southwest Florida Machine Technology Apprenticeship Alliance” (MTAA), to offer high skilled training to manufacturing incumbent workers and new job manufacturing career opportunities to high school students.
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2003
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First R&T Park Zoned: North Naples Research and Technology Park
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2003
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Pioneered by EDC, under the Directorship of Nemecek, Collier County Economic Stimulus Program of Incentives is approved by Board of County Commissioners. Five Incentive Ordinances pass as proposed by EDC and County Staff to increase Collier County's competitive edge in attracting and retaining qualified businesses, in diversified target industries, offering high-wage, value-added jobs to local residents.
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2003
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Economic Development Foundation (EDF) is established through under the auspices of the EDC Chairman's Circle. Through funding, the EDF will help enable tactical assessment of Collier County for ample positioning of the EDC's leadership within the context of the EDC Mission, local assets & resources and the potential for strategic growth and economic development through their aligned partnership.
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2003
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Economic Development Council launches its partnership with the United Arts Council of Collier County with an unveiling of the first exhibit of local artwork displayed in the EDC office. It was unveiled today at the offices of the Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC). The first, in a series of exhibits, are a result of a partnership between EDC and the United Arts Council. This first exhibit will be on display through January, after which time, works by other local artists will be showcased at the EDC offices. The United Arts Council is designated by the stat of Florida as the official local arts agency for Collier County. The UAC is responsible for promoting arts and culture in the area, and coordinates a consolidated cultural calendar which is posted on their web site at www.uaccollier.com. The UAC also advocates for the arts and culture with local, state and federal governments.
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2004
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Facilitated through the EDC, the Collier County Board of Commissioners, with the full support of the Collier County Airport Authority, adopts a resolution to approve the Florida Tradeport as a "Brownfield Area". Such a designation provides additional incentives and protection to companies that may consider location at the Florida Tradeport.
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2004
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EDC officiates the Florida Tradeport in Immokalee as an international facility through the signing of a formal "Memorandum of Cooperation" between the EDC, Enterprise Florida, Inc. and the Republic of Poland. This agreement initiates a system for the exchange of information between the partners which will strengthen the growth of trade, technology, investment and economic development ties between the private sectors of the Pomeranian region of northern Poland and Collier County, Florida.
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2005
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EDC initiates a study of the Collier County Regulatory Review Process to enhance local permitting times. As a result, a county Fast Track Manager was hired to ensure permits for target industry businesses move through the local regulatory process quickly.
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2006
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EDC completes a land use study to determine the amount of land needed through the year 2030 for business parks and industrial uses to accommodate EDC target industry businesses. The analysis determined a need for an additional 3,700 acres by the year 2030.
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2006
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EDC begins working with land owners to convert land to accommodate target industry growth.
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2006
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EDC begins a project to comprehensively address the need for more workforce housing in Collier County.
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2006
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EDC begins aggressive business retention and expansion program coupled with a Cluster Analysis for Collier County. The cluster analysis will help prioritize EDC’s work and show where the greatest opportunity is for high wage job creation.
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