Title
Status Report - Economic Development and Innovation Department (B)
This is the requested status report regarding the direction and activities of the Economic Development and Innovation Department. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 10 MINUTES**
Explanation
At the May 15th City Commission meeting, it was requested that a City Commission item be placed on a future agenda to review the direction and activities of the Economic Development Director.
The Director has been on the job full time since mid-October, 2013. The Director's focus is on job creation and development of the City's tax base Citywide and activities are generally governed by the City Commission's Strategic Plan, the ED Strategic Action Plan and more concretely the following six (6) activities:
1) Development and Redevelopment Facilitator (Citywide);
2) Collaboration with Community Economic Development Partners on various policy matters;
3) Marketing of Airport Industrial Park and projects on Airport lands;
4) Facilitation of the Innovation Economy (Citywide);
5) Role as Development Ombudsman; and
6) Staff to the City's Economic Development University Community Committee (EDUCC) and Gainesville Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (GACRAA).
Fiscal Note
The budget for the Department is approximately $195,000 annually and the Director receives part time administrative support from the City Manager's office.
Recommendation
The City Commission hear a presentation on the status of the Economic Development and Innovation Department and provide feedback as deemed appropriate.