OED involved in Broward Days to support economic development agenda

Team Leader:

Deborah Wilkinson,
Broward County Office of Economic Development

Team Members:
Mark Besoner, HDR Acquisition Services, Inc.; Jim Carras, Broward Housing Partnership, Inc.; Gaspar Garcia, Wachovia Bank.; Skeet Jernigan, C&EDC Alan Theriault, The Cleary Group; Linda Cooke, HABC Manufacturing; Hon. John Gaudiosi; Joseph Kocy, Director, Broward County Housing Finance; Norm Howard, Broward County; Rebecca Rodgers, Durr & Associates; Joan Goodrich, The Broward Alliance; Ron Hicks, City of Fort Lauderdale; Robert Legg, Miller Legg; Jerome Majzlin, Majzlin Consulting; Jim Tarlton (JT), The Broward Alliance; Rick Wohlfarth, IBI Group; Dr. Jack Pinkowski, Nova Southeastern University; Dr. Phil Rokicki, Nova Southeastern University; Bob Swindell, The Broward Alliance; Christina Fischer, The Fischer Group; Tracy Mandart, Janney Montgomery Scott;Amy Evancho, President/CEO of Florida Economic Development Council

Mission:
Our team will harness the economic energies of the tri-county region to optimize positioning the region for state and federal funding and advocate for the region's economic development issues.

Issues:
Recruiting, attracting, retaining and expanding businesses and industry in Broward; continuing to assure the County and the region that it has the necessary talent in workforce and education - vital components in making the region a global player in today's marketplace. In recent U.S. studies, it has become apparent that state, regional and local economic developers must continually update and revise their marketing plans and programs in order to grow, prosper and maintain their unique quality of life for future economic development sustainability. In order to effectively implement these plans and programs, the region must be able to provide quality, affordable housing ( i.e. attainable housing) for its workforce. Therefore, attainable housing is the common thread throughout all economic development issues. Three immediate issues that address the supply of attainable housing in Broward County have been identified by the Economic Development and Housing & Urban Development teams: Small Scale Land Use Amendments handled and expedited at the local level; Legislative actions for earmarking real estate designated transfer taxes; and the Sadowski Trust Fund Cap for housing initiatives. Relative to the Sadowski State Housing Trust Fund, The Florida Legislature has closely scrutinized both the state and local housing trust funds and Florida's housing programs. These reviews have shown that Sadowski Act monies have been an unequivocal success in:

• Building quality single family home ownership;

• Building quality multi-family rental with resident amenities and programs, Leveraging public dollars with private investment at a ratio of over 7:1; and, Providing an economic boost to Florida far in excess of the amount of funds appropriated for housing (due to the leveraging and the multiplier effect). The Economic Development Team along with the Housing & Urban Team will educate and meet with Members of the Senate, House and Governor to ensure that this fund be protected.