“Where We Need to Be” Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2018-2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy 2018-2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, December, 2017 Funding for this report is provided by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Additional copies of this report may be obtained by contacting: West Florida Regional Planning Council 4081 E. Olive Rd. Pensacola, FL 32514 850-332-7976 • www.wfrpc.org The 2017 CEDS Steering Committee The West Florida Regional Planning Council would like to thank the following steering committee members for the guidance and insight provided during the 2018 major update: Nathan Boyles, Okaloosa County Ted Everett, Washington County ED Doris Mink, Gulf Power Raymon Thomas, Holmes County EDC Michele Burns, CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Jim Forman, City of Destin Shannon Olgetree, Santa Rosa ED Matt Turpin, Greater Ft. Walton Beach COC Michelle Cook City of Vernon Bill Imfeld, Walton County EDA George Robertson, Ponce de Leon Bill Williams, Walton County Jennifer Coneley, Gulf Power Scott Luth, Florida West EDA Dick Rynearson, City of Ft. Walton Beach Steve Wolfrom, CHELCO Kasey Cuchens, City of Freeport Jennifer McFarren, Gulf Power Nathan Sparks, Okaloosa County EDC Brian Wyer, Gulf Coast African American COC Table of Contents What’s in the CEDS? ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 2 A. Summary Background ............................................................................................................................... 4 B. SWOT Analysis ..............................................................................................................................................14 C. Strategic Direction .......................................................................................................................................17 1. Talent Supply and Education ............................................................................................................18 2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship ...................................................................................................20 3. Infrastructure and Growth Leadership .........................................................................................22 4. Business Climate and Competitiveness .........................................................................................25 5. Quality of Life and Quality Places ....................................................................................................27 6. Civic and Governance Systems ..........................................................................................................30 7. Environmental Quality, Protection, & Resilience .......................................................................31 8. Housing ......................................................................................................................................................36 D. Implementation Action Plan ...................................................................................................................38 Projects to Watch .......................................................................................................................................50 Funding Resources for Plan Implementation ..................................................................................51 E. Evaluation Framework ..............................................................................................................................55 F. Data Appendix ...............................................................................................................................................57 What’s in the CEDs? The CEDS is a concise plan of action for near-term strategies that the region can or should undertake to realize economic progress. It is a work plan for the WFRPC partnerships with public and private sectors that need to be built or sustained to achieve success. , and it identifies A data-driven need, and benchmarks. profile of current conditions within the region is presented as a means of identifying trends, areas of The CEDS goals and strategies resources, as well as ventures underway that merit ongoing community support. bring forward project ideas of significance to the regional economy that require Program delivery avenues that are working in the region are outlined with indication of whether these could be expanded upon or inspire new possibilities. Finally, a performance evaluation presents a series of relevant metrics that will be used to measure success. -- 2017 CEDS Steering Committee member “What it boils down to is – we have to figure out how to get people where they need to be.” 1 Executive Summary In 1995, the West Florida Regional Planning Council was designated an Economic Development District (EDD) by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). Developing a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), updated annually, is needed to maintain that status and position our region for grant funding and technical assistance from EDA. An effective CEDS is data-driven and is the product of a participatory process that includes the diverse leadership of a Steering Committee. It is also informed by community outreach and partnerships built through the spectrum of WFRPC programming throughout the year. This plan is set apart from other regional plans county region. by homing in on the unique economic conditions of our seven- Since 1964, the WFRPC has coordinated planning efforts impacting activities that involve interactions crossing jurisdictional boundaries. Industry appreciates the largest and most diverse pool of workers that it can draw upon; retail and consumer driven course, negative conditions of environmental impact such as air pollutioninterests alsoand lookwater to contamination the entire region are to not find contained local customers. within one Of jurisdictional boundary. The CEDS is used to act upon these focus at hand. With the allied purpose articulated in several civic dialogues areas, with understanding of specific challenges and opportunities years with determination to support good job creation, deliver that informed this CEDS, the region looks forward to the next five conditions and prosperity for residents throughout the region. We resolvea stable toand accomplish diversified the regional goals of economy, this plan. and improve living 2 Alignment with Other Plans The opportunity exists for this CEDS to align with goals and The Department of Economic Opportunity’s Florida Strategic Plan strategies outlined in the Northwest Florida Forward plan, a current for Economic Development also applies the six pillars statewide strategic planning initiative for thirteen counties represented by the with a vision for Florida to be a top performing economy recognized Regional Economic Development Organization (REDO), Florida’s as the world’s best place to live, learn, play, work and do business. Great Northwest. The Northwest Florida Forward regional strategy Many cross-cutting strategies align with our regional initiatives has generated a sense of positivity, inclusion, and excitement among to develop multimodal, interconnected trade and transportation the region’s leaders. This is a stakeholder-driven plan aimed to systems; revising permitting and regulatory process to meet identify the wider Panhandle region’s best opportunities for desired changing business needs; and create vibrant healthy communities. growth and development. WFRPC was a partner in leading the plan’s creation and has a critical part in the plan’s implementation. The Florida Transportation Plan (FTP) uses the six pillars to look forward toward collaborative efforts for transportation solutions The CEDS furthers the reach of Northwest Florida Forward by stepping closer into the communities of our seven-county conserve energy. With a historic role of providing land use review area, building upon what we know about their leadership, civic assistancethat support and quality as staff places, to the efficient region’s and three reliable transportation mobility, andplanning engagement, history, and development goals. We are directly involved in program delivery and technical assistance at the county implementation measure of coordinating transportation and land and municipal level, and we are stakeholders in the success of useorganizations, decisions. the WFRPC is uniquely positioned to realize the FTP’s implementation efforts long-term. Building upon the Northwest Florida Forward plan, the CEDS forintegrates local, regional themes and identified statewide by the initiatives Florida toChamber advance Foundation business as the “Six Pillars of Florida’s Future Economy,” a guiding vision have carried forward the six pillars as goal categories. Progress on keycompetitiveness indicators related and quality to the Pillarsof life for is trackedFlorida’s at residents. the State levelWe at TheFloridaScorecard.com. 3 A. Summary Background Demographic and Economic Profile of the West Florida Region Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, and Bay are the seven contiguous counties that comprise the West Florida region. There are two distinctive assets that unite the region