COMMENTARY
MILT THOMAS
Community activist and businessman Charlie Wilson has a coveted spot on the Bob Soos morning show, Tuesdays, just before the start of the County Commission meeting. Soos refers to him as the “Professor of political baloney.” Wilson uses his time to discuss issues facing the city and county, sounding very professorial, but the “facts” he comments on may be more of the processed meat variety. In his May 21 interview, he discussed his view of the shortcomings in the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce economic development efforts.
“They (Chamber economic development division) do site selections and they do job grants.”
Below is a copy of the Chamber’s proposed 2014 marketing plan, which itemizes all their activities. The scope is far greater than Wilson, or probably anyone outside of the Chamber and County Commission, would imagine. It is a matter of public record, however, so Wilson could have easily found precise information and probably would not have made the false statement about his assessment of their limitations.
“We found that the Chamber of Commerce says it’s not their job to promote Indian River County, only to fill requests, but who is going out there to drum up support for new business? We need some sort of check and balance there.”
In fact, it is the Chambers job to promote Indian River County, which they do as the County Commission’s authorized tourist development agency. Drumming up support for new business would involve many of the items contained in the aforementioned economic development budget that appears below. The check and balance lies within in purview of the County Commission and staff, which does not give any funding to the Chamber in advance, only after the money is spent and is submitted to the county with all necessary backup information. Again, this is all information freely available to Wilson and could have been researched before he made his inaccurate statements.
“There was some discussion (at the last County Commission meeting) about whether you can be on the Economic Development Council and be the Chamber of Commerce’s president because how can you not talk about economic development back at the chamber because it is a sunshine violation…They used to have something called the Economic Development Division, but that is no longer in existence.”
The only voting member of the Economic Development Council working at the Chamber of Commerce is Penny Chandler, so there are no sunshine violations as Wilson suggests. The Economic Development Division was an internal informational/discussion group for Chamber members and nothing to do with public policy. Again, Wilson’s statement was ill-informed.
“…the Chamber does a fine job at what it does and I don’t have any quarrel with Helene Caseltine whatsoever, but the scope of what they do is extremely limited. That may require some outside help and something that’s managed by people who are not involved with the Chamber.”
His comment about the Chamber’s scope is handled above. As far as outside help, they have 800 members from the local business community, an excellent open relationship with the county and city, and input from many citizens including retired CEOS and others. The only outside help they don’t have is Charlie Wilson’s.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Below is the Chamber of Commerce’s proposed Economic Development marketing plan.
TO: Jason Brown, Indian River County Budget Office
FROM: Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: FY 2013-2014 Economic Development Marketing Plan
Date: April 24, 2013
As required by the Indian River County Comprehensive Plan, Policy 1.9 of the Economic Development Element, the attached marketing plan reflects an overall economic development marketing effort to recruit, retain, and expand targeted industries in Indian River County. The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, as the designated county-wide economic development organization as specified in the Economic Development Element, will work with the County and the Chamber’s private sector partners to carry out these plans.
All actions here are based on the best and most reasonable estimates available to us at this time. There may be changes since the plan does not go into effect until October 1, 2013.INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
FY 2013-2014 MARKETING PLAN
All monitoring will be conducted by the Chamber of Commerce. Results will be reported on a regular basis to the Economic Development Council.
I. Business Retention and Expansion
A. Enterprise Zone
1) Action: – Coordinate activities of the Indian River County/City of Vero Beach Enterprise Zone, promote program to local businesses
– Conduct at least two Enterprise Zone workshops per year
– Promote the program via speaking engagements, business visitations, media releases
– Provide technical assistance to Enterprise Zone businesses as needed
– Monitor legislation as it negatively or positively affects the program
– Provide statistics to Vero Beach City Council, Indian River Board of County Commissioners, and our Legislative delegation requesting support to extend the state and local programs to 2025 (program scheduled for Sunset Review in 2015)
Anticipated results: Ten percent increase in program participation
B. Business Visitation
1) Action: – Coordinate activities that highlight local manufacturers, including manufacturers’ tours for the general public and manufacturers networking events
Facilitate three public tours, including participants of Leadership Indian River
Anticipated results: – Increased awareness by the general public of the importance of a diversified economy
– Networking and contracting opportunities between owners/managers of local manufacturing entities
2) Action: Conduct monthly site visits to targeted industries
Anticipated results: – Average 8-10 companies visited per year; information gathered will be analyzed for expansion potential or deterrents to leaving the county
– Increased awareness of local, state and federal programs that can benefit local business’ operations
C. Local Business Promotion
1) Action: Coordinate Employer Roundtable events, focusing on specific industries, discuss common areas of interest, develop solutions to shared business challenges, such as availability of training programs, financing, new market development
Anticipated results: – 6-8 local companies participating per event, increased business activity and networking opportunities for participants
– increased local business-to-business opportunities
2) Action: Site visits to corporate headquarters of local businesses, to convey the economic importance of the company’s location in Indian River County Anticipated results: two visits made
3) Action: Continue to provide the Virtual Entrepreneur Network via the Chamber website, as a resource to start-up businesses while promoting local businesses that provide those resources
Anticipated results: increased local business-to-business opportunities
4) Action:
- Coordinate annual Industry Appreciation Awards luncheon, to recognize local businesses for their industry expansion achievements, community involvement, and architectural enhancements.
- Encourage local businesses to submit a nomination for the Governor’s Business Diversification Awards program
Anticipated results: – recognize 15-20 local businesses
– 1-2 companies submit nominations to Governor’s Office
– promote the events and the awards’ results via media releases, speaking engagements and online
D. Business Expansion
1) Action: In cooperation with other agencies such as the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Enterprise Florida (EFI), Workforce Solutions and others, coordinate workshops for local/regional businesses with a focus on encouraging business expansion, to include: LEAN Manufacturing, “Doing Business with the Government”, exporting, financing, staff training programs
Anticipated results: – 3-4 workshops with 10-15 attendees each
– increased employment in targeted industry sectors
2) Action: Partner with targeted businesses to share booth space at specified industry trade shows to strengthen local businesses’ vendor/supplier network
Anticipated results: booth space at two industry trade shows
E. Primary Information Source for Area Business
1) Action:
- Serve as a clearing house for information on resources available from the state and other sources for layoff avoidance, workforce training and assistance, marketing opportunities, and financing alternatives
- Provide information via website, e-newsletter updates, and direct contact with employers
Anticipated results: Reduce the potential for staff reductions in local businesses and encourage business expansion
F. Intergovernmental Coordination
1) Action: Continue to work closely with city and county planning departments, Treasure Coast Builders Association, and the Chamber’s Economic Development Division volunteers to address concerns of business owners and propose solutions
Anticipated results: Minimize processing time for site plan and building plan reviews for targeted employers
G. Foreign Trade
1) Action:
- Utilizing the resources of Enterprise Florida (EFI) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, provide assistance to companies that have an interest in exporting as a means of increasing sales.
- Partner with the SBDC in scheduling 1-2 workshops per year for market identification and import/export basics
- Promote and encourage participation in EFI trade missions and international trade shows
- Work with Port Canaveral and county staff to designate Indian River County as a Foreign Trade Zone
Anticipated results: Five companies assisted; FTZ designation
H. Staffing/Funding
1) Action: Utilize Chamber volunteers to assist in carrying out marketing and business retention policies.
Anticipated results: Implement all Chamber-based economic development
marketing, committees, task forces, and other activities;
raise private funds
II. Attract New Industries
A. Marketing and Advertising
1) Action:
- Conduct direct market campaign to promote industrial nodes throughout Indian River County, including the Enterprise Zone and municipal airports, to targeted prospects and encouraging business relocation
- Partner with existing companies, such as manufacturers and national businesses/banks with a local presence, to identify and communicate with targeted prospects
- Continued direct communication with site selectors who represent firms within the targeted industries
- Implement a strategic Site Consultant Follow-up plan, keeping Indian River County on their radar
- Participate in Enterprise FL site consultant events
Anticipated results: Ten companies with interest in locating in Indian River County.
2) Action: Market industrial areas in the County to alternative energy firms, along with appropriate commercial locations to technology firms, via direct marketing, trade show representation, and partnerships with existing firms
Anticipated results: Direct communication with five companies with interest in locating to Indian River County
3) Action: Implement internet “banner” ad campaign, focusing on target industry association websites
Anticipated results: Heightened awareness of the benefits of establishing a business in Indian River County
4) Action: Encourage local employers to assist in the attraction of new companies
Anticipated results: – Strengthen local business owners’ perception of promoting Indian River County as a desirable business location
– Local employers assist in distributing promotional “thumb” drives while attending national and international events, and networking with out-of-area clients or colleagues
5) Action: – Participate in Florida’s Research Coast Economic Development
Coalition (FRCEDC)
– Partner with local R&D entities to enhance and promote the region for life science industries, support industries and spin-off companies
Anticipated results: – Site selection consultants and CEOs of existing firms develop a more comprehensive level of knowledge of Florida’s Research Coast region as a potential relocation or expansion site.
– Expansion of targeted small businesses
B. Working with Other Agencies
1) Action: Market Indian River County for reverse investment by international firms in targeted industries, via direct marketing through Enterprise Florida’s International Trade offices, Trade Consulate offices in Miami and local businesses with an international presence.
Anticipated results: Five international companies with interest in locating to Indian River County.
2) Action: Increase relationships with local key referral sources such as commercial realtors, project engineers, and existing businesses via industry tours for key organizations; distributing forty promotional flash drives annually to key referrals and local manufacturers.
Anticipated results: Increased awareness by clients of Indian River County professional organizations as a desirable business location
3) Action: Strengthen relationships with alternative financing sources, such as Angel Investors and venture capitalists, to facilitate and encourage the recruitment and growth of emerging industries
Anticipated results: Increased awareness of available programs to targeted businesses
4) Action: Continue to strengthen relationships with local and state elected officials to garner support for targeted industry recruitment efforts
– Regular one-on-one meetings with local elected officials explaining the “who, what, where and why” of economic development.
– Copy all media releases, announcements, and reports to each county commissioner, the county administrator, and other pertinent elected officials, with a minimum of two per month.
Anticipated results: Continued awareness of the importance of economic diversification
B. Web-based Information
1) Action: – Maintain and update the economic development website for current and easy access to demographic, community, site location, and employer information
– Continually update above-referenced data to include in business recruitment and inquiry packages
Anticipated results: Twenty hits per month on website, average five minutes on each page, three pages reviewed
2) Action: – Conduct ACCRA Cost-of-Living survey three times per year, posting results via news releases to media, elected officials
– Maintain ACCRA Cost-of-Living calculator on economic development website
Anticipated results: Provide prospective companies easy access to current and relevant information for comparative purposes
Definition and Explanation of Economic Development Terms, Organizations, Activities
Targeted Industry – As listed in the Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan, a targeted industry includes businesses that offer full-time jobs with benefits at a higher than average salary, are in a growth mode, and will benefit the overall community in terms of their long-term tax revenue.
Enterprise Zone – A state program allowing certain state tax benefits to new and existing businesses located within the Zone. The Indian River County/City of Vero Beach Enterprise Zone encompasses a 4 ½ square mile geographical area that includes the Vero Beach Airport and adjacent Gifford community.
Business Recruitment Team – Recommended by the County’s Economic Development Council, the Team could include elected officials, private-sector leadership, and/or representatives of a particular industry in which the targeted business is involved.
Site Selection Advisors – Hired by a company to conduct the company’s due diligence when considering sites for relocation or expansion. The consultant acts as the liason between the company and representatives of the potential sites; the company’s identity typically remains anonymous during this process.
Florida’s Research Coast Economic Development Coalition – A non-profit corporation whose officers are representatives of the primary economic development organizations in the 4-county region: Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, the Martin County Business Development Board, Business Development Board of Okeechobee County, and the President/CEO of the Workforce Development Board. Its mission is to promote the region for business recruitment and expansion in select targeted industries while encouraging collaboration between the partners and their respective elected officials.
Enterprise Florida, Inc. – The statewide economic development organization that generates trade leads to its local partners, and coordinates activities such as: industry focused trade shows to promote the state for business recruitment; trade missions to select countries to promote Florida business; and site consultant events to encourage one-on-one communication between the local economic development organization and the consultants.
Florida Economic Development Council – The statewide trade association for economic development professionals; supports state legislation to benefit economic diversification efforts, coordinates conferences to discuss pertinent issues, and promotes “best practices” programs.
International Economic Development Council – The North American economic development trade association; supports federal legislation to benefit economic diversification efforts and offers many training opportunities including a national certification program.
Manufacturers Tours – Tours of local manufacturing facilities are offered to members of key referral organizations and the general public to increase the awareness of the manufacturing industry’s contribution to the local economy.
Indian River Guardian 