This document discusses economic development in Suwannee County, Florida. It provides information on the purpose of local economic development and building partnerships to create economic growth. It discusses the importance of project confidentiality. It introduces the Suwannee County Economic Development Office and its goals of diversifying the economy, creating jobs, and improving quality of life. The document outlines several strategic objectives and strategies to make Suwannee County business friendly, develop a positive brand, promote cooperation between cities and the county, and assist municipalities with economic initiatives.

1. S
Suwannee
County
Florida’s New Frontier

2. S
What is Local Economic
Development
The purpose of Local Economic Development (LED)
is to build up the economic capacity of a local area to
improve its economic future and the quality of life
for all. It is a process by which public, business and
nongovernmental sector partners work collectively
to create better conditions for economic growth and
employment generation.

3. S
Building the Right Culture
We must focus on…
• Competitive business climate
• Tools to sell Suwannee County
• Partnerships with Cities, Chamber, SCIDA, Private
Sector
• Relationships with CEOs/Site Selection Consultants

4. Economic Development Process

5. S
Project Confidentiality (F.S. 288.075)
Critical issues for most projects
• Disclosure of information may…
o Jeopardize a real estate transaction
o Lead to employee departures and uncertainty
o Allow another state to enhance their deal
• §288.075, F.S. protects…
o Project “plans” for 12 months, or 180 days after an
incentive agreement is signed, or until disclosed
o Proprietary confidential business information indefinitely

6. S
Suwannee County
Economic Development Office

7. Our Purpose
The Suwannee County Economic
Development Office purpose is to drive the
economic vitality of Suwannee County by
fostering an environment conducive to the
creation and retention of business
increasing an enhanced quality of life for
Suwannee County residents.

8. The Suwannee County Economic
Development Office Approach
S The Suwannee County Economic Development Office programs will strategically
expand and diversify the county’s economy through the creation of sustainable jobs,
and cultivate and expand existing businesses as well as promote commercial real
estate to attract new business to Suwannee County.
S We will market county assets such as proximity to Interstate Highways I-10 & I-75,
established rail system, its infrastructure and available affordable land cost.
S We will advocate for development projects to ensure the growth of our County’s
tax base and the creation employment opportunities for the residents of
Suwannee County.
S We will strive for a balanced economic environment that will enhance the
economic prosperity and quality of life throughout the County to meet the needs
of our broad audience, while preserving friendly, small town atmosphere with
many scenic and recreational opportunities, including our world recognized
springs and rivers.

9. Overall Goal
Diversified and Stable Economy
Suwannee County shall promote balanced
and orderly economic growth that will
provide increased economic opportunity
while reducing dependence on any one
employment sector.

10. Objective 1
Create desirable business environment to attract and retain businesses by:
1. Fostering an attitude that welcomes new industry
2. Providing necessary infrastructure for development
3. Eliminating unnecessary regulation and streamlining the review
process
4. Maintaining competitive tax and fee structure
5. Making business incentives available
6. Supporting employee training and education programs

11. Objective 2
Create desirable living environment to create and maintain the
quality of life that attracts and retains business by:
1. Protecting natural resources
2. Promoting excellence in education
3. Expanding recreational and cultural activities
4. Ensuring planned and aesthetically pleasing development
5. Maintaining public safety

12. Objective 3
Maintain Economic Development Program by:
1. The county shall maintain an economic development
program that serves the needs of existing businesses and
actively markets Suwannee County to recruit new business
and industry.
2. Suwannee County shall continue to participate in the
regional economic efforts and partner with Enterprise
Florida Inc. and North Florida Economic Development
Partnership.

13. Objective 4
Ensure environmentally safe business and industry by:
1. Suwannee County shall ensure that future business and
industry practices will contribute toward a safe, clean, and
healthy environment and will have no significant adverse
impacts on the environment.

14. Objective 5
Market the “ Suwannee County” business industry and brand by:
1. Developing a positive Marketing Program to attract businesses
and industry that will create jobs and increase the tax base.
2. Promote Suwannee County as the best place to live, work and
play.

15. S
Economic Development
Action Plan

16. Vision: A prosperous local economy supported by
a wide range of career opportunities, a diversified tax
base, and an exceptional quality of life.
Mission: To aggressively retain, attract and grow
jobs in Suwannee County, in partnership with others,
while protecting and improving Suwannee County’s
quality of life and unique character.

17. Goals
A. Create a “business friendly” environment, simplify the governmental
permitting process, and always be mindful of the impact of
governmental regulation on the success of the private sector to retain
and create jobs.
B. Create a brand that communicates to the World that Suwannee County
is the best place to live, work, play and locate a business.
C. Develop a healthy community self- image and community spirit
conveyed by businesses, residents, government and the media.
D. Work directly with willing municipalities to assist with the
implementation of each city’s economic initiatives, and promote
cooperation and coordination between the cities and Suwannee
County.
E. Assure that we have an available and well-prepared workforce for
existing, emerging and prospective businesses, and collaborate with
Suwannee County educators to meet workforce needs and achieve
educational excellence.

18. Goals
F. Establish policies and programs that promote the retention, success, and
expansion of existing businesses.
G. Establish policies and programs to assist start-up and developing
businesses, and encourage entrepreneurship.
H. Attract and recruit new businesses to Suwannee County by targeting
specific industries, drawing upon regional partnerships and using proven
business models.
I. Work directly with the business community, cities, and other stakeholders
to promote eco-tourism, recreation, sports, entertainment and cultural arts.
J. Protect and improve our quality of life, and maintain the proper balance
between job creation and the protection of our natural resources and
unique small town “Suwannee County” character.
K. Establish specific targets and track progress of our economic
development efforts and programs, and maintain a sense of urgency as
we seek to realize our economic Strategic Objectives.

19. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #1
Create a “business friendly” environment, simplify
the governmental permitting process, and always be
mindful of the impact of governmental regulation on
the ability of the private sector to retain and create
jobs.

20. STRATEGIES
S Identify County policies, situations and regulations that adversely affect our economic vision and
mission, and implement strategies to correct them (e.g. fees, conflicting regulations, duplicative
regulations, lobbyist provisions that impede inquiries from new business prospects, etc.).
S Identify proven models for streamlining and simplifying the permitting process, and revise
current process (e.g. online permitting).
S Utilize EDO as permitting “advocate” or “Ombudsman” to “walk” business owners and prospects through
the permitting process and coordinate with Cities and other reviewing agencies.
S Explore opportunities to create “regulatory” uniformity between Suwannee County and the cities, and
aggressively work with willing cities to implement coordinated procedures.
S Aggressively pursue the settlement of all Comprehensive Plan challenges in order to achieve certainty
and “closure.”
S Initiate a review of the Comprehensive Plan to identify policies or land use designations that impede job
creation and positive economic activity and pursue solutions to rectify such provisions.
S Continually evaluate the development process for increased efficiencies, and immediately evaluate and
respond to internal and external feedback in an effort to improve existing procedures.
S Reinforce a positive “customer service” attitude at all levels of County government through
training and internal policies.
S Evaluate/develop investment incentives to give Suwannee County a competitive edge in recruiting for
new businesses, targeted industries and existing industries expansions.

21. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #2
To develop a set of initiatives with businesses,
residents and media to create a brand that
communicates to the world that Suwannee
County is the best place to live, work, recreate
and locate a business.

22. Strategies
S Through various methods (media, publications, community-dialog)
increase public awareness of positive aspects of the community.
S Develop a positive Suwannee County “brand” to enhance the area’s
image.
S Hold periodic public forums to provide citizen information, receive
feedback, and gain buy-in on major community programs and projects.
S Publicize the positive economic impact of the community’s existing
industries. Utilize Industry Appreciation Week as an opportunity to inform
citizens, the media, businesses, and local governments and employees of
the importance of business retention and expansion to the community.
S Develop a coordinated, well-funded promotion strategy.

23. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #3
Work directly with willing municipalities to assist
with the implementation of each city’s economic
initiatives, and promote cooperation and
coordination between the cities and Suwannee
County.

24. STRATEGIES
S Become familiar with Live Oak and Branford economic visions and specific
projects (e.g. infrastructure projects, targeted industries), and to identify
opportunities to assist Cities with implementation of their economic initiatives.
S Assist Cities with improving or streamlining the development review process and
request their support for monthly meetings between County and City planning and
zoning directors to identify ways to align the development process across jurisdictional
boundaries.
S Utilize Joint Planning Agreements, Inter-local Agreements or less formal initiatives
such as Joint Resolutions to assist Cities with implementation of their economic
initiatives.
S Create an inventory map and matrix for each region of the County identifying improved
and vacant parcels that are available for targeted industries which have specific needs
regarding acreage, location and building specifications (e.g. light industrial,
manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, high technology, agri-business), and provide
maps and related information to cities to use as a planning and recruiting tool.
S Create a county-wide map showing existing and emerging industry clusters and to use
as a planning and recruiting tool.
S Share economic analysis, forecasts and similar technical information to the cities and
promote cooperation and collaboration through regular communication (e.g. monthly
meetings, emails, workshops).

25. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #4
Assure that we have an available and well-
prepared workforce for existing, emerging and
prospective businesses, and collaborate with
Suwannee County educators to meet workforce
needs and achieve educational excellence.

26. STRATEGIES
S Meet with each education “partner” (e.g. School Board, Suwannee-Hamilton Tech) or conduct an Education
and Economic Summit with all partners to:
S Discuss our economic vision and mission:
S Share specific Strategic Objectives related to education and workforce needs;
S Review existing programs and explore possibility of expanding programs that have been well-received and
adding new programs to address targeted industries;
S Discuss ways to showcase existing strengths and positive statistics;
S Identify new procedures to facilitate ongoing communication and collaboration; and
S Propose the adoption of a joint resolution emphasizing our desire to cooperate and work together on specific
education and economic-related Strategic Objectives.
S Utilize economic development staff and North Florida Workforce Development to identify existing and
emerging workforce needs and to coordinate and communicate with education partners and the business
community.
S Identify successful education and training models which address existing and emerging workforce needs, and
share these opportunities with our education partners and facilitate implementation of such programs (e.g.
High Tech Corridor teacher training and curriculum; mentoring and apprenticeships).

27. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #5
Establish policies and programs that promote the
retention, success, and expansion of existing
businesses.

28. STRATEGIES
S Create a mechanism for communicating with existing businesses, and collect pertinent data to
provide to business owners and operators (e.g. tradeshow information, Technical Assistance
programs, etc.).
S Conduct weekly “business” site visits (EDO and Chamber).
S Evaluate successful models for Business Retention and Expansion Programs and consider
implementation of new, revised or expanded programs (e.g. revolving loan fund for equipment
purchases, building renovations or construction).
S Evaluate successful models for Technical Assistance Programs and consider implementation of new,
revised or expanded programs, and offer services of Technical Assistance Programs to all Suwannee
County businesses through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
S Build relationships with the Chambers and other business-related organizations to assure
communication and coordination, and to identify needs and opportunities for collaboration.
S Identify workforce needs of existing Suwannee County companies and collaborate with North
Florida Workforce Development, Suwannee-HamiltonTech, and Suwannee County School Board to
develop programs to address existing and emerging workforce needs (e.g. specialized training,
additional subjects, and workforce readiness).
S Explore ways to connect local students to existing Suwannee County companies through mentoring
or apprenticeship programs.

29. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #6
Establish policies and programs to assist start-up
and developing businesses, and encourage
entrepreneurship.

30. STRATEGIES
S Evaluate successful models for Start-Up and
Developing Business Programs and consider
implementation of new, revised or expanded
programs, including particularly the need for
sub-regional programs and accessibility
throughout Suwannee County (e.g. economic
gardening, incubators, Entrepreneurship
programs, etc.).

31. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #7
Attract and recruit new businesses to Suwannee
County by targeting specific industries, drawing
upon regional partnerships and using proven
business models.

32. STRATEGIES
S Formalize targeted lists:
S Continue to utilize Enterprise Florida, Inc. and North Florida Regional Economic Development Initiative as a national and international
marketing tool, and attend target industry tradeshows to market opportunities in Suwannee County to national and international companies.
S Notify local companies of tradeshows that would be beneficial to their business.
S Work with the Enterprise Florida, Inc. and North Florida Regional Economic Development Initiative to establish measurable targets and Strategic
Objectives; assure regular communication with County Commissioners on pending prospects and marketing efforts.
S Work closely with our Cities on their economic initiatives and identify opportunities to connect our Cities to the Enterprise Florida, Inc. and North Florida
Regional Economic Development Initiative staff (e.g. assistance with RFPs, responding to prospects, technical support).
S Respond to RFI and RFP from Enterprise Florida for companies seeking to expand or relocate to Florida.
S Participate in regional planning and collaboration, and identify specific opportunities for sub-region planning (North Florida Region) and emerging
industry-clusters (e.g. existing Suwannee County business; private-sector Enterprise Florida, Inc. and North Florida Regional Economic Development
Initiative partners and investors).
S Encourage County Commissioners to take a direct role in the process of attracting and recruiting new businesses (e.g. meeting with prospects, traveling
if necessary to meet prospective companies, attending trade-shows and economic workshops).
S Compile a list of ambassadors willing to assist when prospects visit Suwannee County (e.g. hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours,
education and business leaders)
S Conduct periodic workshops for our residents, businesses and all partners as a mechanism to providing information on our progress and receiving
feedback (e.g. “marketing” Suwannee County for economic prosperity must be a community-wide effort).
S Build relationships between economic development office and our local real estate community by conducting regular meetings to exchange and update
information so that we are able to connect prospects to available sites.
S Assure that our economic development website is dynamic and easy to use (e.g. information regarding incentives is easy to find, “available
site” information is regularly updated and comprehensive).

33. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #8
Work directly with the business community,
cities, and other stakeholders to promote eco-
tourism, recreation, sports, entertainment and
cultural arts.

34. STRATEGIES
S Target new events that generate overnight purchases in
Suwannee County.
S Support existing events that bring tourists to Suwannee
County through marketing and financial support, and
constantly look for new opportunities to bring tourists to
Suwannee County (e.g. marketing, cooperation between
private and public sector, cooperation between cities).

35. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #9
Protect and improve our quality of life, and
maintain the proper balance between job
creation and the protection of our natural
resources and unique hometown “Suwannee
County” character.

36. STRATEGIES
S Identify infrastructure needs (water and sewer system) that enhance
our quality of life and evaluate their financial viability, including the
ongoing costs of operation and maintenance (parks, recreation, trails,
sidewalks, transportation, stormwater) and prioritize projects.
S Adopt policies that encourage the redevelopment of existing buildings
and sites (e.g. evaluate “change of use” provisions to determine
whether present regulations deter use of existing sites and provide for
waivers and incremental site upgrades).
S Support existing CRAs within Suwannee County and maximize their
impact.
S Support programs and identify opportunities for improving the water
quality of our Suwannee County Rivers and springs.

37. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #10
Establish specific targets and track progress of
our economic development efforts and
programs, and maintain intensity level and sense
of urgency regarding economic prosperity
emphasizing the connection between
government and the private sector.

38. STRATEGIES
S EDO should establish targets and present to the BCC for discussion.
S EDO should provide regular reports regarding economic activity,
implementation of new programs, employment trends, new
suggestions from businesses community, feedback, progress with
cities, etc.
S EDO should provide updates on business visits and provide County
Commissioners with the opportunity to participate in visits that are
related to business retention and expansion.
S EDO should invite County Commissioners to meet with businesses
prospects.
S EDO should provide regular updates on “simplifying” the permitting
process and creating a business friendly environment, including time-
frames for implementation and feedback from the public and the
business community.

39. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE #11
Track progress of economic development efforts
and programs.

40. Strategies
Success Indicators:
S Number of new business/industry leads.
S Number of new businesses recruited
S Number of existing business/industry assisted and/or retained.
S Number of new commercial and industrial projects under construction
S Number of new jobs created.
S Dollar amount of gross capital investment.
S Dollar amount of payroll created.
S Dollar amount of incentive granted.
S Gross ad valorem increase.
S Number of local vendors utilized.
S Value dollar amount of incentives invested and Return on Investment.
S Overall Economic Impact: Total Employment (cumulative effect), personal Income, Deposable Personal Income,
Gross Regional Product (GRP), and Total Output.

41. Targeted Industry Sectors
While Suwannee County is attractive for nearly all types of economic development,
the EDO has identified seven (7) targeted industry sectors that match the region’s
strengths, goals and assets, as well as provide for a diversified and sustainable
regional economy.
These targeted sectors were chosen based upon the opportunity for growth,
creation of quality jobs above the average wage, role in regional development and
their connections to other industries.
S Transportation & Logistics
S Agri-business
S Light Manufacturing
S Ecotourism & Agritourism, Sports & Recreation
S Clean-tech
S Music & TV/Film Production/Cultural Arts
S Retirement Services