MEASURING SOCIAL CAPITAL;
GOING BEYOND GDP TO LIBERATE THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
THE BIGGEST BLIND SPOTS OF GDP ARE DIGITIZATION, BIG DATA, AND THE ROLE
PEOPLE PLAY IN BOTH.
VINNY
TAFURO
Policy makers oscillate between over and under economy. It relies on the cumulative social capital
regulation while business leaders sit mostly idle of all human beings. Until now, no quantitative
because both the public and private sector have metrics have been proposed. In a digitally com-
been given only a partial picture. Gross Domes- plex 21st century society, 20th century econo-
tic Product (GDP) is the sole indicator provided mists’ lazy reliance on the easy over the accurate
by economists for measuring societal value. is criminal, and history will mark that fact.
The global marketplace runs on immediate and
deep analytics while the entire field of economics From stay home parents and community volun-
builds models on an 80 year old measurement teers, to the value of journalism and scientific re-
that cannot see a majority of societal value. search, GDP simply ignores it all. In 1968 Robert
Across the globe communities are challenged F. Kennedy succinctly noted that GDP “measures
to build attractive and energizing ecosystems The biggest blind spots of GDP are digitization, everything in short, except that which makes life
that nurture residents, draw visitors, and inspire big data, and the role people play in both. The worthwhile.”
innovation. Brain belts, innovation zones, and current limited economic paradigm of people ex-
‘Valleys’ of all types are being branded, market- isting as labor in competition with automation is Social capital today can and must be acknowl-
ed, and benchmarked. Regional competitiveness setting the global economy up for catastrophe. edged, measured, and cultivated. Economists
reports fueled by data attempt to assess strengths People are being liberated by automation, not have access to social capital metrics where all
and weaknesses to serve as frameworks for pros- displaced. Wikipedia for example has provid- human value creation is appropriately quantified.
perity. ed billions of people with free knowledge while Where our employment and education crises are
simultaneously eliminating the encyclopedia in- resolved by expanding our definition of compen-
Today’s civic and corporate leaders know the dustry. However, with no professional writers or sable work. Where economic growth is guided by
importance that education, workforce develop- product to sell, Wikipedia is an industrial age a Social Capital Index based on big data. An in-
ment, and civic quality play in sustaining prosper- economic failure. dex to augment GDP and modernize economics;
ous communities. Yet, despite holistic questions, to first stabilize, then liberate the global economy.
robust datasets, and wise leadership there are This failing is not Wikipedia’s for not monetizing
few viable solutions for cultivating these basic so- itself but rather a failure of economics for not
cietal building blocks. Digital literacy and kinder- identifying the natural value of Wikipedia within
garten preparedness, skills training and higher society. Whether contributing to articles or read-
education, and health and wellness at all levels ing them as preliminary research, time spent on
are indispensable parts of a building a strong Wikipedia is simply categorized as leisure time.
society. Foundational parts that cost a lot of mon- Time that has no economically quantifiable val-
ey. Money that economic development agencies ue. This complete disregard for the natural value
and professionals don’t have access to. in human activity as social capital is a fundamen-
tal flaw of economics.
This acknowledgement of needs with no clear
mechanism for funding is the biggest challenge Societal social trust between humans is the foun-
faced by agencies looking to nurture growth. dational yet unmeasured ‘dark matter’ of the
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 3
LIVING AND WORKING IN
LIVING AND WORKING IN
THE city of arts
THE city of arts
and innovation
and innovation
WINSTON-SALEM, FORSYTH COUNTY, NC
Located within
650 miles of
more than
half the U.S. Innovation
population Quarter
240 acre
urban-based
research park
Ranked #4 in
the U.S. for cost
effective data
centers by the
Boyd Company
Regional
workforce
of over
800,000
www.wsbusinessinc.com
Cost of living (336) 723-8955
well below
the national
average
18_WSBI_full_page_Fdi.indd 1 7/27/18 10:20 AM
FDI ALLIANCE CONTENTSCONTENTS
INTERNATIONAL
6 12
Lakewood, Washington
Topeka Spotlight
Becky Newton,
Molly Howey
11 16
Agribusiness Thrives in
Start. Move. Grow.
Chatham-Kent
Bill CRONIN
Stuart Mcfadden
35
24
Harford County, Maryland
Moreno Valley,
Steve Overbay
Mike Lee
40
28
Ruston
Start. Move. Grow.
Kristi Lumpkin
Bill Cronin
45
40
Moreno Valley,
Quiet Tenacity
Mike Lee
Mark Wickersham
52
48
Who Needs Data?
Topeka Spotlight
Todd Kuckkahn
Molly Howey
58
50
Lakewood, Washington
The City of Dayton
Becky Newton,
Courtland Holman
61
54
Seymour Texas
Ruston
Lauren Bush
Kristi Lumpkin
70
62
Agribusiness Thrives in Chatham-Kent
Harford County, Maryland
Michael Burton
Steve Overbay
75
74
Product on the Shelf
Product on the Shelf
John Sweeney
John Sweeney
82
82
The City of Dayton
Seymour Texas
Courtland Holman
Lauren Bush
84
92
Quiet Tenacity
Who Needs Data?
Mark Wickersham
Todd Kuckkahn
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 5
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has economic developers with international site selectors and investors.
continued to support our platform and participate This year we were happy to partner with the World FDI Forum 2018. This
in our September issue. FDI Alliance International was organized by the Conway Group. We were privileged to meet some
would like to say a special thank you to every of the world leading FDI experts. Forming these long-term international
organization, on a state and local level, that has business relationships will only strengthen our platform.
continued to support us through the years. Thank I would like to recognize and support our two new creative directors.
you for helping us celebrate four years in the They have played a major role in the success of the September issue of
industry. Your support has helped us effectively FDI Alliance International. We certainly couldn't be as successful without
expand within this dynamic industry sector. Our your hard work and dedication as we strive for excellence. I'm certain
readership is on track to increase annually by 250K corporate executives that their appointment will be a key part of our print and digital platform
all over the world.
as we move into 2019.
In 2018, our main aim is to increase our digital distribution reach on a global I would also like to thank our director of operations, Jacqueline Prieto.
level by using the the world's four most trusted social media platforms. She has ensured that the administrative side of FDI Alliance International
These platforms include Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. We runs smoothly. She truly adds great value to our platform as we expand.
now have solidified our position in the digital space and have the leading
social media presence across all of these major platforms. Effectively As the publisher of FDI Alliance International magazine, I feel truly blessed
using these four platforms, there will be an increase in our annual reach to have built so many great long-term relationships. I feel very privileged
to 1.2 million people. to work with so many wonderful executives from around the world. We
will continue to showcase the most lucrative business locations in the
This will be our second interactive issue with video elements throughout United States and Canada. We will continue to bridge the gap between
the digital magazine. Our digital version will reach many more prospective economic development and site selection.
clients. It is becoming quite popular and efficient in the age of ever
changing technology. This year has been a great year and promises to end very strong moving
Fdi Alliance International magazine has now established a strong and into 2019.
stable presence throughout the entire microsoft network. Our presence Courtney Margetson
can be seen in Forbes, CNBC, Wall Street Journal and Yahoo Finance.
Over the past four years, we have built an exclusive audience of international CEO / Executive Publisher
site selectors and C-level executives. They are actively planning their
future expansions for their international operations in the United States Follow Us On:
as well as Canada. We know this will strengthen our ability to connect www.fdiallianceint.com
Staff Special Thanks to Contributers
Executive Publisher Bill Cronin Dan Elliott
Courtney Margetson Pasco County FL Conner & Winters
Director of Operations Todd Kuckkahn Rob O'Brian CEcD
Jacqueline Green Portage County WI O'Brian & Associates
Business Development Director Molly Howey Robert Tunis
Jacob Schmidt GoTopeka Parnership KS Economic Development Consultant
Senior Sales Associate Courtland Holman Kristen Cox
Michael Bellinfatie Dayton Community & Development TX Governors Office of Management and Budget
Driving economic
growth
through
ecosystems
RoDRiCK MiLLeR
PReSiDeNT & CeO
ASCeNDANT GLOBAL
The most common misconception about economic ● Commercial linkages to external markets and sheer luck for results. The ecosystem is about
development (ED) is the very definition of the ● Robust and creative capital sources and tools developing an approach, processes, and protocols
practice. Groups who work on affordable housing to facilitate growth to increase predictability and likelihood for the
initiatives, lead children’s education programs, Execution success is tied to numerous factors such desired outcomes. Anything less is not sustainable
or build new city infrastructure often tout their as system and organizational capacity, goal clarity, and bares tremendous risks.
work as economic development. While Economic financial tools, political will, well-defined roles and There is increasing conversation around economic
development is connected to many different areas, responsibilities, and brand. One of the most important development ecosystem or the mix of partners,
ED truly revolves around a coordinated system elements to accelerating growth, ideally in a way their roles, and coordination in spurring growth
of partners and service providers focused on that is sustainable, is development and fostering a and sustainability in terms of jobs and private
increasing the number of net new jobs and growing strong economic development ecosystem. investment. A robust economic development
private investment in a sustainable fashion. In other Historically, many economic developers have not ecosystem is comprised of players in the public,
words, successful economic development happens worked under this framework and the results private, and nonprofit sectors working in tandem
in an environment that is intentional, focused, and have been mixed in terms of outcomes. Without to support companies, community and government
strategic around driving economic vitality. a system, communities are relying on the talent in creating new economic value and opportunities.
Securing economic success hinges on a clear of their local experts, inherent market position The adage, “success has many authors, but failure
understanding of a community’s current economic
reality and establishment of pointed goals in
a range of areas including job growth, private
investment, workforce development, and more.
The path to success is often not difficult to identify
for professionals who have training and quality
experiences in other markets. The difficulty often
lies in the ability to execute. Communities where
success will be most palpable share certain traits:
● An articulate economic development strategy
with clear goals and metrics
● Partnership between the public and private
sector to best manage risk and invest thoughtfully
bearing equity in mind with a keen focus on investing
in areas with the greatest potential for growth or
need for opportunity
● Engagement with community members around
their needs and desires Rodrick Miller (left) and Scott Page urge Flint to "Go Global" (Photo by Darlene Carey)
8 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
has only one” is particularly true in carrying out Key responsibilities of an economic development and awareness, promotion, and engagement.
economic development priorities. That is, political ecosystem include but are not limited to:
Whether corporate attraction, business retention
leaders, economic development organizations, small 1. Provide the product – Does your market have
and expansion, workforce, or small business efforts,
business service providers, and corporate leaders the appropriate workforce, capital, real estate and
a coordinated and integrated ecosystem garners
all desire to tout their economic development infrastructure to support the agreed upon growth
more effective, efficient and sustainable growth.
leadership, but few are willing to make critical long- goals? Who can help deliver these items, why would
Without clearly spelling out responsibilities, desired
term decisions needed to grow the economy. Some they do it, and how can they be encouraged to trudge
outcomes, and creating mechanisms to appropriately
tend to want to lead alone or drive the economic forward in partnership?
manage firm and market growth, the results will
agenda without collaboration for a community. That 2. Fill a pipeline with prospects - Be aggressive in
be scattershot, unclear, and difficult to replicate
may work to secure select transactions. However, reaching out to companies with the goals of increasing
– good or bad.
the long-term prospects for this approach leading startups, maintaining stay-ups, and scaleup
to sustained growth are slim. 3. Deliver on local knowledge – Provide insight Key steps a community should take to develop its
An economic development ecosystem is comprised into workforce development, capital, incentives, economic development ecosystem include:
of local economic development organizations, supply chain and other resources based on the 1. Determine what areas of the economic development
governmental organizations, regional EDOs, technical market capacity. ecosystem you want to develop first – small business,
assistance service providers, financial partners, 4. Work in partnership - Every organization cannot real estate development, traditional corporate
and private enterprises. Having these component do everything. Who does what why? How can these recruitment, etc.
parts does not necessarily equate with having organizations be leveraged to increase performance? 2. Define clear goals, appropriated performance
an economic development ecosystem, but these Ensure that there are outputs, and desired outcomes.
components do serve as the building blocks. An 5. Communicate strategy and wins – In order for 3. Map the landscape of service providers supporting
economic development ecosystem is a coordinated the work to continue, awareness of the work being businesses in the targeted category including
system of partners working together to achieve performed, shifts in strategy, and opportunities for what they do and their performance capacity and
common articulated goals. Partners in this system businesses, community members, and partners to expectation.
share information and data, manage projects jointly, plug in must be communicated. The communications 4. Establish an MOU outlining project management
and invest resources in shared objectives. efforts of the ecosystem should encompass education protocol amongst the partners.
5. Work on a few pilot projects to refine your
approach in working together.
6. Leverage shared data and project management
tools to strengthen service to the marketplace.
7. Execute strategies, assess performance, and
recalibrate approaches to optimize successes.
Building a high-functioning ecosystem should
be a priority for every community as it will help
organizations achieve more just by working in
greater partnership and coordination.
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 9
and talent pipeline, pro-business taxation policies, quality
products like buildings and sites for development, and a
community that will nurture that growth.
Why is Pasco County, Florida, one of the fastest
growing areas in the greater Tampa Bay region?
Pasco County is geographically situated in the center of one
of the fastest growing markets in the United States and has
room to grow. Being a consumer state, we have very low
transportation rates for distribution. Our talent pipeline,
pro-business government leadership, and favorable tax
environment makes Pasco an attractive place to grow
a business, and our local incentives make it the most
competitive location for business in Florida.
Briefly outline the economic development programs
available for businesses to Start, Move or Grow business
How important is it to retain, expand, and attract new business in Pasco County, Florida.
to Pasco County, Florida? In addition to recruiting companies to our county, we also
There are over 16,000 agencies in the United States that are recruiting work with our existing businesses to help them grow. Most
business to their areas. If we don’t focus on competitiveness, we stand of our economic growth comes from these businesses,
to lose our existing business, which means jobs for our residents, although it’s sometimes incremental. Unlike other EDC’s,
as well as miss out on the opportunity to recruit new business. It’s we also own and operate our own business incubators
about making sure we have the right soil conditions to grow new and offer microloans to small businesses through our
and existing business in order to create the right job mix for our SMARTstart Pasco Program. Many of the world’s major
community. By soil conditions, I am referring to skilled workforce headquarters are in the same location where they were
10 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
once start-ups. How we treat our new and existing business is as individuals. There are a variety of education and workforce
also the best advertisement for new recruitment. training options to help residents develop the skillsets necessary
to be an attribute to their employers. Our live, work and play
How does the International Program at Pasco EDC assist lifestyle in a suburban environment offers access to great
both local and foreign-owned enterprises operating in amenities like world class beaches, the arts, sports, outdoor
Pasco County? recreation, and the first Crystal Lagoon in the U.S.
Our International Program includes trade counseling for
both export and import, and trade missions designed to help
our companies find additional markets abroad. Pasco-based
companies are eligible for grants to attend trade missions.
Our Foreign Direct Investment Program not only includes site
location assistance and incentives, but also offers a soft-landing
program for smaller companies to locate at our incubators
called “SMARTLandings.”
What measures are taken to ensure businesses have the
resources they need to be successful in your region?
Our citizens understand economic development and the need
to remain competitive. They have repeatedly voted to fund
economic development programs using sales tax revenues.
What new strategies will Pasco EDC be implementing to
What industry sectors are you more focused on recruiting continue to attract foreign direct investment in 2019?
to Pasco County? We will be focusing on smaller, competitive companies that
Our focus is currently on six primary target industries: Life want to be part of our growing community.
Sciences & Medical Technology, Business & Professional
Services, Electronics, Aerospace, Aviation & Defense, Logistics How important is it to be known as Florida's most competitive
& Distribution, and Advanced Manufacturing. climate for business growth?
I think we already offer the most competitive climate for
business growth in Florida, but it’s important the rest of the
world knows. We want more companies to come and access our
talent, leverage our regional assets and geographic location and
enjoy our pro-business government policies. We want our Pasco
companies to be wildly successful and make lots of money!
START. MOVE. GROW
y our b us i ne s s he r e
What countries would you like to see more investment
from?
We welcome all FDI, but I think that areas like China and India
have some great opportunities in Florida, as well as some of our
current partners like Germany, Switzerland, France, and Japan. (813) 926-0827 ext. 224
[email protected]
What are the benefits of doing business in Pasco County?
http://www.pascoedc.com
Pasco County boasts an affordable lifestyle for families as well
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 11
Living in Lakewood
Whether you are looking for affordable, or high-
end lakeside living, there is a home for everyone in
Lakewood. Our mature neighborhoods are filled with
native Douglas fir and oak trees, offering beautiful
and quiet settings that make you feel like you’re
away from it all. Yet, shopping, entertainment and
restaurants are only minutes – or walking distance
– away. A favorite Lakewood destination for locals
and visitors alike is Fort Steilacoom Park with its
hiking trails, award-winning dog park, ball fields,
historic barns and our new Pavilion in the Park, an
outdoor amphitheater. The park is home to many great
events including our annual Lakewood SummerFEST
which drew 42,000 visitors in 2018. The city hosts
numerous, family-friendly events at Fort Steilacoom,
including our fall Truck and Tractor Day and our
summer concert series at the pavilion. In 2019 we
look forward to hosting the US Cyclocross National
Championships, which is expected to draw up to
Lakewood, washington 10,000 spectators and competitors from around
the country. And of course, water sports on the lakes
and fishing are also regional draws.
rich in history anD opportunity incentives and Opportunities
Lakewood was recently granted three Opportunity
Zones, a federal government designation to entice
long-term investment in depressed areas. Want to
Diverse in culture, strong in leadership and rich in history, Lakewood, Washington is a community beaming
build multifamily projects? There are parts of the
with nature and abundant opportunity. Lakewood truly is and up-and-coming hidden gem in the Puget Sound
city that offer a multifamily tax exemption for eight
region of Washington state, with target areas for development and significant investment opportunity.
or 12 years, depending on the project scope. HUB
Adjacent to major transportation networks with close connections to Seattle to the north, the ports of Tacoma
Zone, New Market Tax Credit areas, and EB5-eligible
and Seattle and military installations, Lakewood is the second-largest city in Pierce County. Incorporated
areas are all available in Lakewood. Land prices
in 1996, Lakewood is home to 60,000 residents and 5,000 businesses and is the host community to Joint
are relatively low compared to neighboring cities,
Base Lewis-McChord, the largest joint military base on the West Coast and one of the largest in the United
and while Lakewood is essentially built out, there
States. The city is 19 square miles with 2 miles of beautiful lakes and 14 parks. are still tracts available and multiple areas ripe for
international District redevelopment.
Lakewood has a thriving International District that is predominantly Korean, yet boasts multiple cultures. Rich in History
Visitors come from outside the state to attend our annual International Festival and film festival, to shop Before Lakewood was Lakewood, locals knew it as “The
at our one-of-a-kind markets and enjoy authentic cuisine from around the world. Prairie” because of its vast open fields. Steilacoom
Building a downtown and Nisqually Indians used the prairie as a ready
source of food and held gatherings before white
Lakewood does not have a true downtown, but the city recently completed a Downtown Subarea Plan with
hunters, trappers and settlers moved in.
the goal to create a rich, urban central gathering place with civic amenities, walkable streets and a mix of
uses including housing, entertainment, restaurants and retail. The new Downtown will include a central park,
green street loop, and festival street to host outdoor farmers markets, concerts and serve as a backdrop
to café patios and other specialty shops.
Woodbrook Business Park
Currently under development is a 160-acre industrial business park. A 467,000-square-foot spec building
was permitted and built last year and is already fully leased. Another 1.2 million square feet are planned.
The park will meet the high demand for industrial space in our region. Woodbrook, like the rest of the
city, is included in foreign trade zone No. 86 which allows for free trade within the zone – one of the many
incentives for locating to the area.
Lakewood industrial lands total 800 acres, including the Lakewood Industrial Park (LIP) with 150 acres
and 2.5 Million square feet of leasable space. LIP employs more than 1,600 people and is the fourth largest
for-profit employer in Pierce County.
12 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
first golf club built west of the Mississippi. It featured
trolley transportation from neighboring city of
Tacoma to Lakewood.
In the early 1900's, the famed Tacoma Speedway
was built. The mile-long wooden track circled the
open prairie and drew racing greats, such as Barney
Oldfield, Louis Chevrolet and Eddie Rickenbacker.
By 1923 the Oakes Pavilion on Lake Steilacoom
opened offering more public amenities like boating,
bathing and picnic grounds.
In 1917 the military built Camp Lewis on land donated
to the federal government by Pierce County. McChord
Field, now part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was
developed from the old County Air Field in 1938. In
later years Camp Lewis and McChord Air Force Base
merged to become Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The
installation remains a prominent player in the local
and state economies today and borders Lakewood
to the east and south.
Panattoni Development Company, Inc. was named one of the Economic Development Board As the area grew, other amenities were added,
of Tacoma-Pierce County’s “Excellent 10” for its 467,000-square-foot spec building in the including a regional hospital and two colleges – Clover
Woodbrook Business Park. Lakewood City Manager John Caulfield (far right) presents the award Park Technical College which recently celebrated
to Panattoni’s development team (from left to right): Brian Mattson, Development Manager, its 75th anniversary and Pierce College which was
Travis Hale, Partner and Bart Brynestad, Partner.
Located midway between the Columbia River and serve as a military post following an Indian attack on
the city of Vancouver, B.C., this prairie land was Fort Nisqually. The new fort, called Fort Steilacoom,
chosen by the British in 1833 as the site of Fort was used to quell Indian uprisings.
Nisqually, one of the fur trading post operated by
Many Army lieutenants and captains who made
the Hudson's Bay Company.
names for themselves during the Civil War came to
Settlers soon set up farming in the area. One of these Fort Steilacoom, including Gen. George B. McClellan,
farms, now the site of state-owned Western State Confederate Gen. George E. Pickett, Union Gen.
Hospital, was leased by the U.S. Army in 1849 to Philip H. Sheridan and Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant,
who later became President.
During the late 1800's homes and roads took over
the prairie. Indians and settlers were learning to named in 2018 as one of 10 finalists for the national
live together, sometimes holding joint celebrations 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence
in the summertime on the natural picnic grounds by the prestigious Aspen Institute.
of The Prairie. Contests of horseback riding often
accompanied a traditional Native American salmon
bake.
Stately homes were built along the shorelines of the
lakes, the most impressive being Thornewood Castle Becky Newton, EDFP
on American Lake. Now renovated into a spectacular Economic Development Manager
bed and breakfast and event venue, the mansion was
once considered one of the most beautiful estates City of Lakewood
and gardens in the nation. Another site dating to
Lakewood’s early days is Lakewold Gardens and the 6000 Main Street Sw | Lakewood,
Wagner Home located on Gravelly Lake. The home
and surrounding gardens are a national attraction WA 98499
that are open for tours and events.
PH: 253.983.7738 | FX: 253.589.3774
In its early days Lakewood was known as a weekend
destination for Seattle elite. The Tacoma Country CELL: 253-254-1204
and Golf Club was built in 1894 to further attract
the rich and famous. At the time, the club was the
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 13
PRIME MINISTER
JUSTIN TRUDEAU
INTRODUCING
CANADA
Justin Pierre James Trudeau, French born December parency, civil liberties, quality of life, education, and technologies. Pan-Canada strive to enhancing the
25, 1971) is a Canadian politician serving as the economic freedom. number of highly-skilled researchers and graduates,
23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada, and promoting collaboration among centers of excel-
Leader of the Liberal Party. Trudeau is the second- From top-ranked educational institutions, world- lence, and demonstrating global leadership around
youngest Canadian Prime Minister. Justin Trudeau is class researchers, and market-leading technology the economic, ethical, policy, and legal implications
also the first to be related to a previous holder of companies, Canada has a long history of being at of Al.
the post, as the eldest son of Pierre Trudeau. the forefront of the artificial (AI) and machine learn-
ing evolution. The organization will work with global companies to
Canada, is the second largest country in the world attract FDI in sectors aligned with the government’s
in area, occupying roughly the northern two-fifths of Canada maintains its leadership stance, Canadas economic growth strategy, in particular enhanced
the continent of North America. I. It has the world’s Government launched the $125M Pan-Canadian manufacturing, agri-food, clean technology, digital
longest coastline which touches three oceans. It is next Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017. Led by the Ca- technology, health sciences, bio-sciences, and clean
to the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans. It is the only nadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), the resources.
country in the world to be next to three oceans at once. Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy is de-
It has six-time zones. signed to further build on the ecosystem in Canada Foreign investment in Canada currently stands at ap-
by increasing the number of highly-skilled research- proximately $800 billion. Canada’s business-friend-
Canada is a developed country and has the tenth ers and graduates, enhancing research capabilities ly environment is built on world-class cities that un-
highest nominal per capita income globally as well and discoveries through collaboration across three failingly rank as the best places to live, work and play.
as the tenth highest ranking in the Human Devel- centers of excellence, and demonstrating global
opment Index. Canada ranks among the highest in leadership around the economic, ethical, policy
international measurements of government trans- and legal implications around advancement in AI
14 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
AGRIBuSINESS
THRIvES IN
Chatham-Kent
From growing for the world to distributing through international export, the food processing industry has a welcomed
home in Chatham-Kent
“Chatham-Kent is the ideal location to invest as the
When you choose Chatham-Kent, natural endowments of the area make it competitive.
you choose to gain access to: When you factor in the weather, crop heat unit (CHU)
days, soil quality, and availability of infrastructure
• Affordable land ready for development
and foreign manufacturing, it’s easy to see why
• Abundant natural gas companies are choosing to be here.” – Prashant
Pathak, CEO, Ekagrata Inc.
• Stable supply of affordable quality
fresh water Agriculture also plays a key role in the agribusinesses
located within the region. For example, the
• Access to high speed and fibre Internet headquarters for Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited, a division
• Serviced industrial land of DuPont and a major agricultural seed breeding and
biotechnology company, are located in Chatham-Kent.
• A competitive and experienced GreenField Specialty Alcohols Inc.'s Commercial
workforce
Alcohols division, Canada's largest ethanol plant
• Ready access to the uS market and one of the world's largest, is also located in
Chatham-Kent.
• An established advanced-
When it comes to agribusiness in Canada, there
is no place like the warm “banana belt” known as manufacturing supply-chain As a most recent example of majour investment,
Whyte’s, a leading Canadian-owned prepared food
Chatham-Kent. Located in southwestern Ontario,
• Key logistics options manufacturer and importer, has expanded from
Chatham-Kent is one of the largest municipalities
in the province and the 12th largest in Canada with • Competitive corporate tax rates Quebec into a new facility located in the Chatham-
Kent town of Wallaceburg.
over 2,450 square kilometers of the richest farm soil.
It is surrounded by fresh water, and is only an hour
sector, and other similar agribusiness. In addition,
drive to seven U.S. entry points. All of this means
the Chatham-Kent Economic Development team
that farmers and businesses, including the food
provides direct support for both domestic and
processing industry, have significant advantages
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiatives to ensure
over their competition.
that all investments yield their maximum potential.
Michael Burton, Director of Investment Attraction Agriculture and Agribusiness in
says “this provides our processors with a distinct Chatham-Kent
competitive advantage in penetrating the US market.
Agriculture is a $3 billion economic driver for the
Abundant feedstock of fresh vegetables with over 75
Chatham-Kent region with local crops including
varieties of crops makes Chatham-Kent an excellent
tomatoes, carrots, seed corn, cucumber, Brussels
site for new food companies that wish to establish
sprouts, pumpkins, sugar beets, and more. We also
North American operations.”
feature some year-round crops such as peppers and
Chatham-Kent has assets vital to supporting value- tomatoes which are grown in the ever expanding
added food processing operations, the greenhouse greenhouse industry.
16 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Agribusiness in Chatham-Kent
• There are over 2,200 farms
• There are 590,346 acres of farm land
• There are over 1,400 farms reporting
farm capital value in excess of one
million dollars each
• There are 13 million square feet of
greenhouse area
• There is a total of 10,198 businesses,
of which 2,447 identify as agriculture,
forestry, fishing and hunting
• There are 32 manufacturing businesses
dedicated to Food, Beverage and Tobacco
The Chatham-Kent Economic Development manufacturing, and warehousing. and species at risk reviews.
Team By being an Ontario Investment Ready: Certified Mayor Randy Hope is very involved in supporting
The team at the Chatham-Kent Economic Development Site, investors have access to up-front property the business community. “My main concern is that
are available to help businesses, both local and information, mapping and completed assessments business is able to operate in the community without
international, become an integrated member of including environmental, heritage, archaeological any bureaucratic impediments. We have great
the community. relationships with both the Provincial and Federal
In order to simplify the investment process, businesses governments and assist local companies in getting
who are ready to invest in Chatham-Kent can work Keeping Company with Great Companies funding from these governments for new investments.
directly with Economic Development Officers. They
When it comes to the Canadian tomato To get a clearer picture of the advantages in CK
serve as Project Managers providing a single point of
sector, any tomatoes grown for the investors simply have to contact www.InvestCK.
contact within the Municipality for the duration of
processing industry are grown in Chatham- com” says Mayor Hope.
the file. This unique approach is available to both new
Kent or Essex. There are a number of Continual innovation, specialization, and persistence
investors and existing companies in the community.
tomato processors in both regions. have brought the business of farming light years ahead
“From an international perspective, Chatham-Kent
Here in Chatham-Kent, we have three in the production of top quality, abundant, and safe
has high-quality affordable land that is backed by a
processors – ConAgra Foods (Dresden), food products. When you invest in Chatham-Kent,
stable government and features robust infrastructure.
Harvest-Pac Products (Chatham) and you are joining an agriculture and business community
Chatham-Kent is uniquely situated as an ideal
Weil’s Food Processing (Wheatley). that is connected, vibrant, and growing for the future.
location for agribusiness to be successful thanks
There are a number in the Essex region,
to a combination of right place, right cost, and right
and all of these processors use tomatoes
connections.” - Kim Cooper, Economic Development
grown by our tomato growers in both
Officer and Agriculture Specialist for Chatham-Kent
Chatham-Kent and Essex.
Economic Development
When you invest in Chatham-Kent,
Access an Ontario Investment Ready: Stuart McFadden
Certified Site you are becoming a part of a powerful Director Economic Development
community of manufacturers.
In order to ensure that businesses can make
60% of head offices of Canadian food 315 King Street West
investments, set up quickly, and avoid any issues,
and beverage processors are located Chatham, ON N7M 5K8
Chatham-Kent has established a 32-acre fully serviced
in Ontario.
greenfield property that is ready for development. Email: [email protected]
The site, which is zoned for multiple industrial uses, Ontario leads the country in agri-food Phone: 519-351-7700 x2034
is located directly adjacent to Highway 401 and exports. Last year, we shipped over
less than an hour drive to a US border crossing. $8 billion in agri-food products around Cell: 519-784-3502
It is located within the Bloomfield Business Park the world. www.chatham-kent.ca
with surrounding industries including trucking and
freight, computer systems design, agribusiness,
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 17
2016 Chatham-Kent Division Ag Profile, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs,
Major Field Crops, 2016 Census (acres) Major Fruit Crops, 2016 Census (acres)
Winter wheat 81,185 Total fruit crops 769
Oats for grain 787 Apples 281
Barley for grain 213 Sour Cherries 81
Mixed grains 44 Peaches 110
Corn for grain 185,527 Grapes x
Corn for silage 3,536 Strawberries 72
Hay 5,367 Raspberries x
Soybeans 232,700 Major Fruit Crops, 2016 Census (acres)
Potatoes 55 Total hens and chickens 245,237
Major vegetable Crops, 2016 Census (acres) Livestock Inventories, 2016 Census (number)
Total vegetables 28,412 Total cattle and calves 14,356
Sweet corn 3,786 Steers 2,474
Tomatoes 8,526 Beef cows 1,675
Green peas 4,502 Dairy cows 778
Green or wax beans 1,824 Total pigs 131,006
Soy Beans 767 Total sheep and lambs 4,931
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/stats/county/index.html
18 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 19
BRE IS THE HOTTEST TREND IN
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
WHY HAS IT TAKEN SO LONG ?
ROBERT
TUNIS
of industry clusters that define a region’s economy. ed and grown organically. A good part of these rap-
Existing companies have already developed deep idly growing companies have outgrown their orga-
networks in the community and contribute to the nizational capabilities and are desperately in need of
community’s economy in endless ways that cannot help to put together their management, marketing
all be easily measured. and planning. Both individual counselling or an or-
ganized ‘lecture series’ often in conjunction with a
As a result any economic development organiza- university or community college are invaluable.
tion worth its salt has developed a BRE strategy and
probably has a BRE division and manager. BRE is -Talent Attraction: This is the key area where we
doubtless more complex than business attraction are witnessing some major innovation. Talent and
Most of us who have been in the ‘business’ for a and harder to implement (as a former BRE Manager workforce is consistently rated as #1 or #2 (or
few years realize that economic development is I am allowed to make his statement without chal- both) in most firms’ decisions to locate and remain
at its heart a somewhat conservative profession. lenge, by the way). On one hand, business attrac- in community. Success in the ‘war on talent’ is vital
Major trends seem to take years to develop. One tion is usually organized around well defined projects in a community’s economic success. Handling tal-
of the more profound recent changes has been that have clear metrics. It centers on the ‘deal’ and ent attraction takes many forms. Some economic
the growing prominence of Business Retention and has developed sophisticated economic models to development agencies organize missions to take
Expansion (BRE) as a core element of most economic measure job creation, investment and tax genera- their companies out of state to market themselves at
development strategies. Some of the most creative tion. Once the deal is closed it becomes a political national job fairs and industry conferences. A num-
recent initiatives in economic development have success with accolades generously distributed. BRE ber of progressive communities have job boards dis-
taken place in Business Retention and Expansion on the other hand is more diffuse, long term and played prominently on their economic development
area. Even this change, however has taken over a harder to measure. At its heart BRE comes down to websites linking directly to local companies’ oppor-
decade or longer to develop. Why has BRE gained developing deep, long term and hard to measure tunities. Smart communities develop relationships
such prominence and why has it taken so long? relationships with the existing business community. with HR Directors at their major firms. It is important
It is often difficult to measure the direct contribution to work closely with existing workforce development
Since its inception and to this day, economic devel- of the local economic development organization in organizations which can create synergies through
opment has been largely synonymous with business any company’s decision to remain and or expand in their own networks. Regional universities and edu-
attraction. The recent fever over Amazon 2 has shown a community. Nevertheless, an economic develop- cational institutions are also great partners to help
that business attraction is not going anywhere as a ment organization’s BRE strategy is crucial to devel- lure back graduates and alumni through their career
core economic development strategy. Over the past oping the region’s economy. services divisions.
10-20 years however, it has become clear that keep-
ing a region’s existing companies (along with their Here is where many communities have concentrated - Intelligence and Networking: Regular liaison
technology and talent) is as important if not more in organizing their BRE programs: and frequent visits with local firms can help set up a
important than attracting business from outside. ‘early warning’ system, in order to forestall imminent
Most job creation (up to 80 percent) can be traced - Business Counselling: This is especially effective corporate departures. Firms appreciate meeting lo-
to existing firms. Existing firms become the anchors in communities where numerous startups have sprout- cal political leadership and airing any concerns that
20 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
may be on their plate. Most local firms value their incentives), companies on the verge of leaving often ville has one of the most sophisticated talent attrac-
location and can act as a business attraction ally in do not want the fact to be known. This is why a pre tion job boards in the country. Metropolitan Atlanta’s
identifying outside attraction candidates.Such a sim- existing relationship is so important. ChooseATL has invested since 2015 in an extensive
ple concept as a “Business Appreciation Breakfast’ talent attraction strategy launched with extensive re-
hosted by the Mayor (or other political leader) can - BRE gains just don’t look as spectacular as Business search and including a comprehensive regional job
go a long way in cementing loyalty among the busi- Attraction successes. For better or worse, big new board. It recently launched “The Ultimate Job Inter-
ness community. At times, just identifying which busi- company openings get better press than any number view,” a contest providing winners up to $10,000,
nesses reside in your community can be a challenge. of companies deciding to remain in a community or an expense-paid trip to Atlanta, and the opportunity
In one of my previous communities, we were unable expand. to interview with top executives from some of the
to have access to the email addresses of local com- region’s largest and fastest-growing companies.The
panies in the tax registry for privacy reasons. Nation- - One of the perennial complaints of BRE managers City of Scottsdale, Arizona has developed one of
al business directories are often years out of date. is the lack of incentives available for existing compa- the most far reaching talent attraction strategies in
nies compared to those available to new companies the western states, remarkable for a city of its size
What are the major challenges in operating an ef- from the outside. This complicates the challenge of a (in full disclosure I should mention I recently worked
fective BRE program? Why has it taken so long to local economic development organization to put to- with the City of Scottsdale in their BRE program). The
gain national prominence? : gether a viable solution to retain a local companies. Research Triangle, North Carolina Partnership has
Local political leadership needs to be reminded of been successfully promoting its ‘Work in the Trian-
-In contrast to a newly recruited firm, existing firms the importance of existing companies when they put gle’ initiative for a number of years including local
are already well established and may not believe together incentive legislation. ambassadors named ‘Smarty Pants”. On a larger
they require assistance or even contact from a local scale,the groundbreaking Pure Michigan Talent Con-
economic development organization. Usually mak- A large percentage of US communities are now in- nect has developed statewide virtual job fairs that
ing the first contact is the major challenge. Once a volved in Business Retention and Expansion. Talent allow applicants to chat directly with employees.
firm determines that true concrete assistance is of- attraction especially appears to be the area where
fered, they become much more enthusiastic. a good amount of innovation is being found in cre- So have sympathy for your local BRE manager (or
ative economic development organizations. Many even buy him/her a coffee). Although lacking the
- As opposed to a business attraction candidate which have created regional partnerships economic devel- ‘bells and whistles’ of Business Attraction, BRE has
welcomes contact from economic development (if opment, workforce and educational organizations shown its worth and is here to stay.
for no other reason than the potential of receiving along with chambers of commerce. WorkIT Nash-
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 21
GOVERNOR
JERRY BROWN
STATE OF
CALIFORNIA
Today, California is the 6th largest economy in the cessing resources or learning more about financing size of companies or the geographic location where
world and continues to lead the nation in several key opportunities and incentives in California. they intend to do business. Additionally, the program
metrics, including: job growth, foreign direct invest- The list of services offered at GO-Biz ranges from sets aside 25% of available credits in a fiscal year for
ments and venture capital deals. In addition, Cali- navigating federal, state and local incentives and companies with revenue under $2 million during the
fornia has the largest corporate tax credit program in permit requirements; connecting foreign investors base tax year of when they apply for the credit.
the country, the largest film credit, the largest tourism with California projects; overseeing the state’s 14 For investors or businesses abroad, the GO-Biz
marketing budget and was the first state to offer on- Innovation Hubs (iHubs); and managing the state’s International Affairs unit oversees activities related
line applications for business incentives. Moreover, highly successful California Competes Tax Credit to the Governor’s international business and trade
Governor Brown’s climate action and sustainability program. investment MOUs. These MOUs provide the frame-
goals are spurring innovation in emerging technolo- work for bilateral cooperation ensuring businesses,
gies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and What is the California Competes Tax Credit Pro- investors, researchers and educators have the re-
energy consumption while laying the foundation for gram? For businesses planning job growth and sources and contacts they may need to build part-
California’s ‘green’ economy. investment, the California Competes Tax Credit nerships that will lead to economic opportunities. As
program provides a credit against current and fu- mentioned above, California remains the number
Leading California’s activities to encourage private ture tax liability based on a company’s projected net one state for attracting foreign direct investments
sector attraction and expansion is the Governor’s new jobs and capital investments in each year over and as of 2016, internationally based companies
Office of Business and Economic Development a five year period. Since 2014, GO-Biz has allo- employed 561,000 California workers and were
(GO-Biz). GO-Biz is the one-stop shop for investors, cated $555.3 million to 775 companies projected responsible for 4.6 percent of the state’s total pri-
businesses, site selection consultants and all eco- to create 77,178 new jobs and make $14.5 billion vate-industry workforce.
nomic development stakeholders interested in ac- in new investments. There are no restrictions on the
22 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
The besT locaTion for your
BUSINESS
Competitive, successful companies looking to relocate or expand their brand know there is one place in California that consistently beats the rest – the City of
Moreno Valley. Ideally situated in the heart of Southern California, Moreno Valley delivers the right market opportunity, a qualified and motivated workforce,
the best pro-business environment and an unsurpassed quality of life.
At 4,500 businesses strong, Moreno Valley is home to
Fortune 500 and international companies including:
ALDI Foods Harman Kardon ResMed
Amazon Karma Automotive Ross Dress For Less
Cardinal Glass Lowe’s Home Improvement Serta Mattress
Deckers Outdoor Masonite Doors Sherwin Williams
Federal-Mogul Minka Lighting Skechers USA
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare O’Reilly Automotive Solaris Paper (coming Fall 2018)
Floor & Decor Philips Electronics United Natural Foods
Harbor Freight Tools Procter & Gamble Walgreens
Location, Location, Location Moreno Valley provides ample shopping opportunities Air – Moreno Valley’s March Inland Port Airport
Moreno Valley is an innovative city with a bright with two regional shopping destinations and 40 is ideal for air cargo and private corporate flights,
future. Solid growth has propelled the 51-square-mile shopping plazas; major tenants include Costco, while passengers may choose from five international
community to become the second largest population SuperTarget, Home Depot, Macy’s, Burlington airports within an hour’s drive.
in Riverside County and the twenty-first largest in Coat Factory, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods, Ulta, BevMo Highways – Transportation corridors State Route
California. and more. 200 nationally recognized and boutique 60 and Interstate 215 offer same-day access to all
restaurants offer distinctive dining experiences. Our
Situated in the heart of Southern California, Moreno parts of California, Nevada, Arizona and Mexico.
restaurant chains outperform the national average
Valley is only an hour away from Los Angeles, Orange
by as much as 25.6 percent. Rail – Light passenger rail system Metrolink recently
and San Diego counties and less than three hours to
opened a state-of-the-art $248.3 million station
Nevada, Arizona and Mexico. Riverside University Health System Medical Center
serving Moreno Valley. Twelve additional stations
(headquarters for Riverside County’s hospital
Moreno Valley’s population of 210,000 is booming within a 20-mile radius form the local rail network.
system, based here in Moreno Valley) and Kaiser
with an annual growth rate of 5.04%. 2.3 million
Permanente are both expanding their facilities to Shipping – Fortune 500 companies in Moreno Valley
people live in a 20-mile trade radius and form a
meet strong regional demand. appreciate the close access to two of the nation’s
strong workforce of 1.1 million. busiest port complexes, Los Angeles and Long Beach.
growth beyond compare Residential construction is adding additional new
housing opportunities with nearly 7,000 single Bus – The Riverside Transit Agency provides
Moreno Valley lead the region in absorption of more
and multi-family units under construction or in the dedicated daily bus routes to key points throughout
than 8.4 million square feet of new industrial corporate
development process. Moreno Valley.
facilities in the past two years. The newly-approved
World Logistics Center offers an additional 40.6 Vast transportation network Bicycle and walking – Moreno Valley is one of
million square feet – the largest industrial corporate Our location makes it simple to access sophisticated the few cities with a master multi-use trail system
business campus in California. and convenient transportation systems: offering more than 32 miles of trails for pedestrians,
cyclists and equestrians.
24 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
strong educated workforce
With its city-owned electric utility company, Moreno parks, the best new restaurants and breweries,
Three colleges (University of California, Riverside,
Valley offers attractive electric rate discounts that cultural celebrations and theater, all under perpetual
Cal Baptist University and Moreno Valley College)
range from 7% to 26.5%. Businesses may receive an sunshine and palm trees.
attract more than 40,000 students. In total, 44
additional two percent discount for hiring 20 percent hottest Market in southern California
universities and community colleges educate more
of their workforce from Moreno Valley residents
than 225,655 undergraduates within 50 miles of Moreno Valley’s ideal location, business friendly
or an additional four percent discount for hiring
Moreno Valley. atmosphere and motivated workforce are why so
40 percent of their workforce from Moreno Valley
many Fortune 500 companies have made it their
More than 50 percent of Moreno Valley residents residents. Additional rebates exist for solar power
home. Contact us to find out what we can offer you.
are employed as white-collar professionals. The and energy efficiency upgrades.
City has a strong, motivated workforce of more than
The City also developed the “Hire MoVal” program,
84,000 and growing.
which offers business license fee waivers and access
affordability to small business development resources. Together,
Moreno Valley offers some of the most affordable the City of Moreno Valley and the County of Riverside
corporate lease and land values, as well as the best run the popular Employment Resource Center,
housing value and cost of living, in all of Southern offering businesses free workforce recruitments,
California. employee training, business consulting, workshops
and job postings. Under certain criteria, businesses
Cost of doing business is low, with no payroll or local
receive incentives for hiring recent graduates, as well.
wage ordinance.
For businesses operating in imports and exports,
We are also ranked as the third most fiscally strong
Moreno Valley is a designated foreign trade zone. And
city in the nation by The Fiscal Times.
under the Time and Materials program, businesses
accelerating opportunities through may be eligible for cost savings on post-entitlement Mike Lee
incentives Planning, Building & Safety, Land Development and Economic Development Director
Our Go MoVal Strike Team of City representatives Fire Prevention plan check, permit and inspection fees.
stands ready to assist businesses with all needs as things to do 14177 Frederick St,
they happen. Moreno Valley, CA 92553
Residents and visitors alike enjoy the array of
Time is money. Our concierge service assists businesses community programs and events offered by the Phone: 951.413.3460
through each stage of the development process. City, with 200 classes for children and adults, plus
Our unparalleled plan check turnaround times parades, celebrations and family activities. We have Email: [email protected]
consistently beat other agencies in the region. And an indoor trampoline arena, an equestrian park, a golf Website: www.morenovalleybusiness.com
we recently implemented SimpliCITY, a permitting club and even a Wind Symphony and Master Chorale.
system that allows developers and businesses to Our Southern California location makes it convenient
check their permit status online. to access local beaches and mountains, amusement
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 25
GOVERNOR
RICK SCOTT
STATE OF
FLORIDA
Florida is a South Atlantic state bordered by Ala- ida. Given the convenient geographic layout of the Florida has long been a leading destination for for-
bama and Georgia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean state, most companies are a short drive to one of eign investment and the principal U.S. gateway to
to the east, the Straits of Florida to the south, and four major cargo gateway ports located in Florida. Latin America
the Gulf of Mexico to the west. It is the southeast- This access gives even small companies opportuni-
ern-most state. ties to export products overseas. International trade and foreign direct investment ac-
counted for about one-sixth of the state’s econom-
In Florida we understand what it takes to do interna- The state of Florida has created 180,200 jobs over ic output last year and supports an estimated one
tional business and will always be ready to welcome the past year, and has steadily kept unemployment million jobs. Florida has the highest trade surplus
you. The state offer a talented workforce, top-ranked rates below the national average. At the same time, among all states, with total trade valued at $147.7
infrastructure, global connectivity and quality of life achievement gaps are closing in Florida’s Pre-K-12 billion flowing through Florida’s ports last year. Flor-
your company needs. system, Florida continues to break visitation records, ida exported more goods than 190 countries in
and our state is continuing to diversify its economy. 2017, making the state one of the world’s leaders
The state of Florida has a very diverse workforce in international trade.
totalling 9.6 million workers. Florida’s talent pipe- Florida has launched a first-of-its-kind program to
line is consistently ranked among the best in the the help foreign investors prepare for U.S. market entry The economy in the state of Florida has topped $1
country. in Florida. The Venture Bridge Florida program is a trillion, meaning that if Florida was its own nation, it
partnership between several Florida organizations, would have the 17th largest economy in the world.
Florida is one of the largest export states in the U.S. including the National Entrepreneurship Center The tourism industry has an economic impact of
and is a major gateway for merchandise trade be- (NEC), Enterprise Florida (EFI), the Florida Business $67 billion on Florida’s economy.
tween North America, Latin America, the Caribbean Incubator Association, and the Association of Sister
and other world regions. America pass through Flor- Cities of Florida.
26 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 27
START. MOVE. GROW.
in P AS c O cO un T y , Fl OR id A
Formed in 1987, the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is the lead economic development
About Pasco EDC organization. Being dedicated to the overall growth and prosperity of Pasco County through the development
Pasco County is a business-friendly community with of a sustainable and diversified economy. Pasco EDC is a private, non-profit organization that promotes
strong, proactive governmental support of five elected countywide economic development. They continue to be a strong partnership funded by corporate and
County Commissioners and a County Administrator. public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County. Pasco EDC is committed to positive
With lower tax rates, Pasco corporations and residents growth to make Pasco County a great place to live and work. You will not find a more supportive county
benefit. to do business. - Work together
Florida’s corporate Our Mission:
income taxes are 5.5 Our overall mission is to stimulate balanced
percent, with a $5,000 Retail sales tax is 7% and diversified business growth in our
exemption. Also, with no sales or use tax
S-corporations are on the labor component community.
State personal income exempt from corporate of qualified research
tax is 0%. income tax. and development. Our Vision:
To be known as Florida's most competitive
climate for business growth and development.
Our Values:
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
● Integrity - Do the right thing.
● Innovation - Deliver creative solutions.
- - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - -
Florida has no inventory Total ad valorem ● Accountability - Achieve successful results.
tax on raw materials, mileage rate in Pasco ● Leadership - Initiate positive action and
work in progress or County is 13.0279%.
finished goods in There are no state level change.
inventory. ad valorem taxes on ● Collaboration - Work together for
buildings or land.
ulimate and valuable progress.
28 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Providing a wealth of information and data on both metropolitan areas in Florida. This means your dollar
their properties and community. This is done so for housing, shopping and dining goes further here.
companies are not waiting for a community to find Industry
an appropriate property and determine its suitability
Existing Industry is still the key to a vibrant community.
for development.
Our industries include Manufacturing, Business and
Recognizing this trend, the Pasco Economic Professional Services, Distribution and Logistics, Life
Development Council in partnership with Pasco Sciences and so many more. Within our Industries
County has implemented the Pasco Ready Sites we have varying niche clusters that include: food &
Program. The Pasco Ready Sites Program, evaluates beverage, medical device, electronics, plastics and
sites for all of the qualities that a company is looking shared services just to name a few.
for in order to relocate. Let us put our experience
Pasco County also enjoys the benefit of being
to work for you.
home to numerous foreign owned companies such
Workforce Connected City as Mettler-Toledo, Zeppelin Systems USA, Nestle,
Clark Dietrich Building Systems and many more.
Workforce and education is not only local but it is The Connected City is a 7,800-acre mixed-use
Countries represented by these companies include
also regional. Within Pasco County, there is an active community that will be the first Smart Gigabyte
Japan, Germany and Switzerland.
workforce of 225,000 people. More impressively, the Community in the nation. It will be built from the
Tampa Bay area MSA has access to over 1.9 million ground up with a fiber network providing exclusive International Assistance
people in their workforce. ULTRAFi internet technology ranging from 1Gbps to
The Pasco Economic Development Council’s
With varying skills sets, experiences and education, 10Gbps. Envisioned by Metro Development Group, International Business program can help companies
Pasco County provides companies access to: the community will also be powered by renewable expand their business in the USA. Through services
energy and have over 100 miles of designated
● Median age: 42 of facilitation of site selection, connections to local
autonomous vehicle lanes.
● Average wage: $36,365 workforce providers as well as assistance with local
The site will include a high-tech education center. government regulations and applying for grants
● Mean travel time to work: 30 min
It will also have wellness campus with advanced and incentives.
Pasco has access to over 230,000 students enrolled
research facilities, an innovation center, a medical
in top colleges and universities in the state of Our SMARTLandings program helps international
hospital and a med-spa. There will also be a health
Florida. Such universities include; University of ventures quickly establish a presence in one of the
and performance institute. The two master-planned
South Florida, Saint Leo University, University of fastest growing markets. By offering flexible office
communities will feature two 7-12 acre MetroLagoons
Tampa, University of Florida, University of Central space, market intelligence and assistance with
by Crystal Lagoons for watersports and swimming.
Florida, Pasco Hernando State College, Hillsborough navigating government regulations. We also provide
Community College, Rasmussen College and St. Residential/Quality of Life connections and networking opportunities within
Petersburg College. the Tampa Bay business community.
Pasco County is one of the fastest growing counties
If partnering with an apprenticeship program in Florida. It is celebrated as part of one of the With such advances is technology, site selection,
is of interest to you, American Manufacturing strongest metros (Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater workforce supply, international assistance programs
Skills Initiative provides a pre-apprenticeship and MSA) in the country for job creation. Our region and an already thriving international list of companies….
apprenticeship program. This program is on target is attracting the brightest minds from around the the Pasco County Economic Development Council
to German manufacturing standards. The program world while creating an energy and vibrancy that is your leader for future business.
works closely with Industry standards to prepare will fuel our economy. Pasco County has cultivated
students for the workforce. an environment of diverse communities, companies,
institutions and entertainment. Our success is based on
Availability an open-minded approach to life, business and ideas.
One of the fastest growing trends in the site location
We are in close proximity to many of the attractions
business is the demand for project-ready industrial
known in Florida including Top ranking Beaches,
properties. The reason is simple, companies need
Disney World, World Class golf courses, biking trails
ready access to buildable sites.
and so much more!
This is needed in order to make a location decision
Pasco County Drive Time to Destinations:
with the ability to efficiently begin construction and Bill Cronin
complete a project. The location decision process ● Tampa International Airport – 23 min President & CEO
demands available properties and those properties ● Clearwater/ St. Petersburg - 40 min Pasco EDC
need to be ready for development. ● Orlando – 1.5 hrs (813) 926-0827 ext. 224
Companies looking to build new facilities want ● Tallahassee – 3.45 hrs [email protected]
properties that are ready to go and relatively risk free. ● Miami - 4.5 hrs
As a result, communities seeking to recruit projects The overall cost of living in Pasco County is 88.9% of
need to be prepared to market their properties. the national average. This is lower than other major
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 29
WATER STREET BY THE NUMBERS
$3 Billion $34 Million in infrastructure 1,300
development committed by City of Tampa and Hillsborough County new residential units
12.9 acres of new and enhanced 1M+square feet of new retail, cultural, educational,
parks and public gathering places and entertainment spaces
53+ acres will be transformed, doubling the size of Tampa’s 23K+ people will live in, work
Downtown and connecting existing community and cultural anchors in, and visit Tampa Bay every day
Phase 1 – Scheduled for completion between 2020-2021
1.1million 300,000Square feet of new 100,000 SF of
Square feet of new office space retail space, including a grocery store and gym meeting space – JW Marriott
30 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Tampa’s downtown core doubles in size
with the ground-breaking of Water Street
PAUL
WILLIES
cool even in summer, shaded by a canopy of trees underway – reconfiguring the street grid connecting
and accented by water features. downtown with the Channelside district to the east of
the project, installing new underground water and
Digital integration and engagement have been part sewer lines and major utilities. The money paid from
of the vision of Water Street Tampa since day one. downtown Tampa’s Community Redevelopment
App-based parking on demand, neighborhood-wide Area funds. CRAs have a state designation that
WiFi, digital services, including dynamic wayfinding, allows them to use locally generated money to fund
intelligent buildings, a digital concierge for fans, hotel projects within the CRA. The city would reimburse half
guests, residents, and visitors will enhance the experi- the costs from its share of the CRA; the other half is
ence throughout Water Street Tampa and downtown expected to come from Hillsborough County’s share
of the CRA revenue.
The project is the vision of Jeffery Vinik, the 57-year old
By Paul Willies
Senior Commercial Real Estate Appraiser transplant from Boston who swooped into Tampa Today, Jeff Vinik and his team at Strategic Property
Appraisal Development International seven years ago snapping up the National Hockey Partners looks out over their new creation with pride
League (NHL) Tampa Bay Lightening for a reported and anticipation.
Tampa, FL – Tampa’s long anticipated $3 Billion $110 million dollars.
makeover – has been branded with the name Water Vinik, acquired his wealth as a mutual fund manag- Water Street is but one of five major developments
Street – and its coming out of the ground on er in Boston at the helm of Fidelity Magellan in the that have recently completed, or are under way –
53+ acres sandwiched between downtown and 1990s, the largest fund anywhere in the world at the including the $20 million renovation at Tampa In-
Channelside District on the city’s waterfront covering time. Later, moving down the street from Fidelity to ternational Airport (TIA), the opening of the historic
1 million square feet of mixed-use development in start his own big, widely followed hedge fund – Vinik Armature Works building as a new chic food hall
18 distinct buildings. One of the single largest urban Asset Management. and meeting space on the banks of the Hillsborough
projects underway in the United States at this time. River in Tampa Heights, and the massive 120+ acre
Over the past seven years – Vinik through his com- redevelopment of the West River district incorporat-
The entire project is being designed in an eco-friend- pany Strategic Property Partners (partially funded by ing the 25-acre Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park on the
ly way – the project labeled the first WELL-Certified Cascade Investments LLC – a property company west bank, and the 22-acre Midtown Tampa – a
district in the world, meaning it will meet a new, controlled by Bill Gates) has quietly bought up the mixed-use development located at the intersection
evolving standard that prioritizes design for health land surrounding the Lightening’s Amelia Arena. Be- of I-275 and S Dale Mabry Hwy – with much more
and well-being, and elements like daylighting, out- sides the raw land, Vinik’s enterprise also bought the to come!
door access, and air-quality. A new development Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, next to
wide cooling system will save energy and allow roof- the arena, for $150 million. He also bid more than For more information on Water Street visit
tops to trade AC units of green roofs and gardens. $7 million in a bankruptcy auction to take over the www.waterstreettampa.com
An active pedestrian experience is at the heart of the troubled Channelside Bay Plaza – which is now un-
design. Water Street Tampa will add 1 million square der renovation and has been re-branded as Spark- Paul Willies is a regular contributor to FDI Alli-
feet of new retail, cultural, educational, and enter- man Wharf. ance, a commercial real estate appraiser based
tainment space at the street-level, as well as 12.9 in Tampa, Florida, and the owner of Appraisal
acres of new and enhanced park and public spaces. The City of Tampa and Hillsborough County has Development International, - Inc (www.apprais-
To make the Water Street Tampa neighborhood truly adopted, and to date is scheduled to invest up to $34 aldevelopment.com) and can be reached at
[email protected]
walkable, streets have been specially designed to be million for the infrastructure of the area which is well
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 31
The new USF Health Morsani College of Medicine 395,000 Sq. Ft. building under construction will top out at 13 stories - a key component of the
Water Street district that will accommodate 1,800 students. Jeff Vinik donated the land to USF to kick-start the district – photo by Paul Willies
Residences
Water Street Tampa will feature a total of approximately
3,500 new residences, including condominiums and
apartments. 1,300 new residences will be built as part of
the neighborhood’s initial phase, bringing nearly 2,000
residents to the neighborhood as soon as 2021.
Hotels
Water Street Tampa will be home to the city’s first five-
star hotel, The Tampa EDITION, and the region’s first
519 room JW Marriott, a four-star, convention-oriented
hotel. Created through a partnership between innova-
tor Ian Schrager and Marriott International, The Tampa
EDITION will offer a boutique, individualized hotel ex-
perience, with a commitment to groundbreaking design
and vibrant public spaces, activated with exciting pro-
gramming to serve as a dynamic social hub for guests
and locals.
In addition, SPP have acquired the existing 727 room
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina, investing an
additional $40 million in renovating the public areas Photo by Paul Willies
and rooms.
32 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Retail & Restaurants
One of the fastest growing cities in the United
States, Tampa is densifying and diversifying. Mil-
lennials and empty nesters alike are drawn to the
area by job growth and an unquestionably com-
pelling quality of life.
Water Street Tampa’s retail landscape will enhance
Tampa’s profile on the national stage, attracting pro-
fessionals, residents, and tourists to explore and enjoy
the dynamic waterfront neighborhood.
As part of the district, SPP have rebranded the Chan-
nelside Bay Plaza as Sparkman Wharf, opening up
the existing building to the waterfront – creating a
new lawn area surrounded by pop-up restaurants
Moving earth for the planned development – photo by Paul Willies
built out of containers.
Offices
The neighborhood will feature 2 million square
feet of modern, high-design commercial space,
1.1 million square feet of which will be opening
as early as 2020–2021.The initial phase in-
cludes major renovations to the existing Chan-
nelside Bay Plaza (Sparkman Wharf) that will
instill a new sense of vitality by bringing industri-
al, loft-inspired creative office space unlike any
currently seen in Tampa.
Created to be cutting-edge and highly amenitized,
the new office towers will be sustainably designed
and WELL-certified—a first for the region. Surround-
ed by almost 13 acres of lushly landscaped open
spaces, the buildings will be part of the larger Water
Street Tampa neighborhood, the first WELL-certified
community in the world, a standard that has been
developed in partnership with the International Well
Building Institute.
Source: www.waterstreettampa.com Rendering courtesy of University of South Florida
Construction underway at the newly branded Sparkman Wharf
anchoring the Water Street district – photo by Paul Willies
* Sparkman Wharf - named for former U.S. Rep. Stephen M. Sparkman, who When complete in early 2020, Sparkman Wharf will include about 180,000
in 1905 engineered a congressional appropriation of $448,350 (more than square feet of office lofts, 65,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, plus a
$12 million in current dollars) to dredge a channel for Tampa’s port — a politi- 1-acre outdoor space with a lawn, outdoor dining and beer garden.
cal victory that would shape Tampa for a century. Conceptual drawing courtesy
of Strategic Property Partners.
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 33
GOVERNOR
NATHAN DEAL
STATE OF
GEORGIA
Georgia is located in the southern corridor of the and global access according to area development moves 20% of the East Coast’s overseas containers.
United States. The terrain is made up of coastal magazine in 2015. It was rated so high due to its su- The Brunswick Port is the busiest Seaport for auto-
beaches, mountains and farmland. Atlanta is the perior land, sea and air transportation that sustains mobile Imports in the sixth largest for automobile
capital city and it is known as the Peach State. Geor- business growth in an increasingly global economy. processing in the world. It handles cargo for 21 do-
gia is one of the nation’s top states for business and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is an mestic and foreign auto manufacturers. It is also the
the governor is Nathan Deal. epicenter for air travel and it’s home to the world’s second largest green facility on the East Coast.
most frequently traveled airport. With access to 80%
Businesses headquartered in Georgia include 17 of the US market within a 2-hour flight and direct Georgia has the most extensive rail system in the
Fortune 500 headquarters and 33 Fortune 1,000 flights to 70 International destinations in 50 countries southeast United States with two Class I railroads.
companies. There is a diversity in business ownership makes this a very busy airport indeed. These railroads are Norfolk Southern and CSX which
with 40% of minority firms. This exceeds the national operate with 4,680 miles of track. It has superior rail
average in Georgia. It ranks number 5 in the US for The Georgia Port Authority (GPA) facilitates global accessibility for intermodal, bulk, automotive and ev-
the number of women-owned firms. The state ranks trade through deep water ports in Savannah and ery type of shipment. There is an extensive interstate
number 10 in growth entrepreneurship according to Brunswick with inlaid operations in the cities of Bain- highway system facilitating the efficient movement of
the Kauffman Foundation in 2015. With an A rating bridge and Columbus. The Port of Savannah is the more than $620 billion of cargo by truck each year.
score for the top 5 small business friendliness ac- most efficient Seaport operation in North America It has six interstates connecting 80% of the US popu-
cording to Thumbtack in 2016. due to its large single-terminal design. It’s the fourth lation within a two-day truck drive.
Georgia is ranked as the #2 state for infrastructure busiest and fastest-growing US container port and it
34 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
• Come Grow Globally •
LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA
GOVERNOR
NATHAN DEAL
STATE OF • $3,500 Opportunity Zone credits AVAILABLE
SITES
• Subzone of Savannah FTZ 104
GEORGIA • 1,400 acre park less than 1 mile
from Interstate 95
• 30 minutes to Port of Savannah
Georgia is located in the southern corridor of the and global access according to area development moves 20% of the East Coast’s overseas containers.
United States. The terrain is made up of coastal magazine in 2015. It was rated so high due to its su- The Brunswick Port is the busiest Seaport for auto- • 200,000+ workforce includes
beaches, mountains and farmland. Atlanta is the perior land, sea and air transportation that sustains mobile Imports in the sixth largest for automobile
capital city and it is known as the Peach State. Geor- business growth in an increasingly global economy. processing in the world. It handles cargo for 21 do- Fort Stewart labor pool
gia is one of the nation’s top states for business and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is an mestic and foreign auto manufacturers. It is also the
the governor is Nathan Deal. epicenter for air travel and it’s home to the world’s second largest green facility on the East Coast.
most frequently traveled airport. With access to 80%
Businesses headquartered in Georgia include 17 of the US market within a 2-hour flight and direct Georgia has the most extensive rail system in the
Fortune 500 headquarters and 33 Fortune 1,000 flights to 70 International destinations in 50 countries southeast United States with two Class I railroads.
companies. There is a diversity in business ownership makes this a very busy airport indeed. These railroads are Norfolk Southern and CSX which
with 40% of minority firms. This exceeds the national operate with 4,680 miles of track. It has superior rail
average in Georgia. It ranks number 5 in the US for The Georgia Port Authority (GPA) facilitates global accessibility for intermodal, bulk, automotive and ev-
the number of women-owned firms. The state ranks trade through deep water ports in Savannah and ery type of shipment. There is an extensive interstate
number 10 in growth entrepreneurship according to Brunswick with inlaid operations in the cities of Bain- highway system facilitating the efficient movement of • Come Grow Glob ally •
the Kauffman Foundation in 2015. With an A rating bridge and Columbus. The Port of Savannah is the more than $620 billion of cargo by truck each year.
score for the top 5 small business friendliness ac- most efficient Seaport operation in North America It has six interstates connecting 80% of the US popu- www.lcda.com
cording to Thumbtack in 2016. due to its large single-terminal design. It’s the fourth lation within a two-day truck drive.
Georgia is ranked as the #2 state for infrastructure busiest and fastest-growing US container port and it
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 35
What defines success?
hen I look back on this #tbt, I
can count the many blessings Beauty is what we make it out to be and my intentions salon was always intriguing allowing me to come
I have received. I have gotten are to provoke individuals throughout the world to up with my own conclusions of what I though the
W mostly everything I have asked look at beauty as more than just a physical attribute, ladies should do in their various situations. Back
for in life. What I realize is that those things but more of a perspective. The concept of Change then the seed was planted that I would be in the
manifested, both tangible and intangible, Your Life with Beauty was started when I was a beauty industry in some way. Moving forward I
because I was specific in my wishes, dreams, little girl. My mother has always been a master graduated high school, went to local community
and most of all, my prayers. I am healthy to stylist for as long as I can remember. She worked college for two years then, moved to Florida where
the letter. Some would say that is success. I at chain salons like JCPenny’s in my younger years I studied fashion design and marketing and received
am married to a loving husband and have two and then moved to privately owned beauty shops my Bachelors of Fine Arts from the International
beautiful boys. Some would say that is success. in Alabama. I spent most Saturdays in the beauty Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa. I
I have had in my hand a good bit of money, met shop sweeping the floor and shampooing hair, and learned quite a bit in my two years attending art
and hung out with people of celebrity, and listening to the many conversations starting at the school but gained more through my volunteerism
consider myself beautiful from the inside to age of 11. Observing the conversations through the and activism throughout the community at large or
the out. Some would say that is success, but
I want more. You may say that the statement
of wanting more is ungrateful. I disagree. The
world we live in is an abundant world. There
is enough food, love, success, prosperity for
each and everyone of us. Anything my heart
desires I can have, because I believe I can have
it. I have faith. And just to pinpoint what I am
speaking into existence these “things” are not all
material. On the list of wants is more purpose,
more love, more growth and understanding,
more wisdom along with prosperity, vacations,
a SUV and that house in Odessa that I will be
purchasing.
36 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
via the fashion connections in the city of Tampa but also speak on politics, spirituality, relationships,
I built a vast of life skills, business gifts, and authorship, entrepreneurship, self-love and care,
overall experience by being involved. As soon health and wellness, and finding the beauty in most
as I graduated I began an internship at Home things. The topics are on subjects that we can connect Amandia Reese Craig
Shopping Network where I was hired on as a to day to day. If the show impacts the viewers or
full time fashion stylist to host, personalities listeners in some way then I have completed my
and celebrities who sold on the network. I purpose for the episode. I bring empowering guest Serial Entrepreneur
learned here as well, however, discovered that on to showcase the world in a positive light. I stay
working in the cooperate world was not for me in the realm of “positive vibes only” and I always Change Your Life With Beauty
long term. I came to the conclusion that I would encourage loving one’s self and each other.
be an entrepreneur. Most people go through life never realizing their Phone: 813-847-8524
Because I grew up around the beauty industry purpose of living. Luckily, after 31 years, I finally
and had a trade in fashion design and marketing know mine. I am Amandia Reese Craig and I change [email protected]
Change Your Life with Beauty has been both people’s lives with beauty.
personal and global. For me, beauty is not I am so grateful for everything in my grasp and I am
just about physical attributes. It is also about excited to welcome more. How do you define success?
perspective. And so, on the Change Your Life with #CYLWB, ARC
Beauty Show, I not only give tips on cosmetology,
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 37
GOVERNOR
ERIC HOLCOMB
STATE OF
INDIANA
Indiana is an East North Central state bordered by industry. We’ve developed the most university super- Indiana has programs and initiatives that offer busi-
Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky to computing capacity of any United States campus, ness support and expertise to companies that are
the south, and Illinois to the west. and we’re leading the nation in manufacturing jobs investing and creating jobs in Indiana. The state of
creation. Indiana is working to improve our quality of place,
Indiana is a state that works because it’s about more infrastructure, available development sites and reg-
than just good business sense. It’s about building ulatory assistance to build economic strength and
something that will last. It’s about the freedom to set The State of Indiana offers many business tax incen- opportunity that grows and attracts new business
our own terms. It’s about the place we call home. tives, corporate tax credits and economic develop- and talent.
We draw our strength from vibrant cities and towns, ment programs for companies creating new jobs
beautiful state parks and trails, a bold history of sport and investment in Indiana. Our business tax structure Indiana also provides financial assistance to quali-
and culture, and some of the most amazing people is also very competitive. Indiana’s corporate income fied high-tech firms and small businesses and offers
you’ll ever meet who are delivering craft, passion tax is decreasing from the current 6.5% to 4.9% by a variety of programs to support new business start-
and brilliance to Indiana. 2021. As the decrease is phased in, the tax rate will ups and business expansion and growth.
drop each year. Indiana has a flat state corporate tax
Indiana is home to the orthopedics capital of the rate on adjusted gross income and no gross receipts
world and the world’s second-largest automotive tax or inventory tax.
38 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
GOVERNOR
ERIC HOLCOMB
STATE OF
INDIANA
Indiana is an East North Central state bordered by industry. We’ve developed the most university super- Indiana has programs and initiatives that offer busi-
Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky to computing capacity of any United States campus, ness support and expertise to companies that are
the south, and Illinois to the west. and we’re leading the nation in manufacturing jobs investing and creating jobs in Indiana. The state of
creation. Indiana is working to improve our quality of place,
Indiana is a state that works because it’s about more infrastructure, available development sites and reg-
than just good business sense. It’s about building ulatory assistance to build economic strength and
something that will last. It’s about the freedom to set The State of Indiana offers many business tax incen- opportunity that grows and attracts new business
our own terms. It’s about the place we call home. tives, corporate tax credits and economic develop- and talent.
We draw our strength from vibrant cities and towns, ment programs for companies creating new jobs
beautiful state parks and trails, a bold history of sport and investment in Indiana. Our business tax structure Indiana also provides financial assistance to quali-
and culture, and some of the most amazing people is also very competitive. Indiana’s corporate income fied high-tech firms and small businesses and offers
you’ll ever meet who are delivering craft, passion tax is decreasing from the current 6.5% to 4.9% by a variety of programs to support new business start-
and brilliance to Indiana. 2021. As the decrease is phased in, the tax rate will ups and business expansion and growth.
drop each year. Indiana has a flat state corporate tax
Indiana is home to the orthopedics capital of the rate on adjusted gross income and no gross receipts
world and the world’s second-largest automotive tax or inventory tax.
Quiet Tenacity flamboyant nor glamorous way. In fact, the Wikipedia
entry notes that Mr. Huntington’s steady hard work
and unfailing calm manner earned him the respect
Imp re ssive Re sult s of his fellow delegates.
Throughout the years, Huntington – the location – has
contributed very significantly to the betterment of
society. Huntington’s former/late U.S. Congressman
The April 2018 issue of FDI Alliance International the Articles of Confederation. He served as the chief J. Edward Roush nearly single-handedly created
featured a story about the continued tenacity of justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court and was the Nation’s 9-1-1 Emergency Response System.
little Huntington County, Indiana, USA, a Community the 18th governor of Connecticut. Huntington is the hometown of former U.S. Vice
in Northeast Indiana, with a population of 35,000. President Dan Quayle.
The County and its seat of government, the City of It’s logical to believe that such a distinguished career
Huntington, are both named for a signer of the U.S. could not have been possible without managing Huntington’s contributions to the history of the
Declaration of Independence and former president of through both good times and bad. He was engaged sports world are also significant, being the home
the U.S. Continental Congress, Samuel Huntington. in the leadership of the world around him, yet not in a of former ABC Sports Broadcasting legend Chris
Schenkel. Currently, young E.J. Tackett of Huntington
Huntington – the location – shares many of the is among the best bowlers in the world having won
traits which historically had defined Huntington – several championship tournaments sponsored by
the man. According to Wikipedia, Mr. Huntington the Professional Bowlers Association.
was a jurist, statesman, Patriot, delegate to and
later president of the Continental Congress, he To w P a t h Tr a i l Steady hard work and unfailing calm manners defined
signed both the Declaration of Independence and many of those legends and continues to define the
40 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Continental Structural Plastics a division of Tejin, and
Helena Chemical Company a division of Marubeni.
“The list of FDI projects in Huntington County is
impressive, especially for a small market like ours,”
added Wickersham, who is completing his 11th year
as the executive director for the Huntington County
Economic Development Corporation. “We’ve taken
our lumps too as most of the world has heard about
the transition of manufacturing from the local UTEC
plant, however, the world really hasn’t heard about
the growth in UTEC’s local engineering team. It’s
very impressive,” he remarked.
The industrial projects in Huntington County are
complimented by numerous community quality of life
development projects in 2018. Airport expansion,
downtown revitalization projects, vocational education
efforts, park enhancements, and the completion
of recent transportation corridor projects like the
$30 million connector from U.S. 24 to I-69, the
$5.2 million Etna Avenue corridor project in the
City of Huntington and the opening of the $1.7
H un t i n g t o n A lum i n um million Archbishop Noll Parkway on Huntington’s
east gateway corridor, and miles of new multi-use
trails, demonstrate a quiet tenacity in this County
which very simply sums up why the title of the April
economic development efforts in Huntington County, Golfo di Napoli joins other FDI investors such as, article was “Getting It Done.” It’s evidence of how
Indiana. The April issue of this magazine used the Brazil’s Gerdau Steel Corporation, Canadian-based hard work rooted in quiet tenacity, continues to
title, “Getting it Done” when describing the success Onward Manufacturing Company, French-based produce impressive results in Huntington County,
of Huntington County’s economic development team. Schneider Corporation, German-based Bendix Indiana, USA.
And foreign direct investments have appreciated Commercial Vehicle Systems, and Japanese-based
these “Huntington traits” as well.
The State of Indiana recently announced the addition Mark Wickersham
of Italy’s Golfo di Napoli company to the list of FDI Executive Director
projects in Huntington. The company plans to develop Huntington County Economic Development
a $9.5 million facility, creating 35 new jobs on a
development site in southern Huntington County.
8 West Market Street Huntington, IN
The location had long been a dream of the local 467509
planning community, however, it took a collaboration Office: 260-356-5688
of local, County and State efforts to designate the
location as an Indiana PRIME Certified Site. That Email: [email protected]
designation drew the attention of the development Website: http://www.hcued.com
world to the potential possibilities for the location.
“The project was announced almost exactly one
year after Indiana’s Lt. Governor, Suzanne Crouch,
came to Huntington County to announce the site
as ready for development,” said Mark Wickersham,
executive director of the Huntington County Economic Ne w S u s p en s ion B r i d g e
Development Corporation.
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 41
MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA’S WORKFORCE
IS INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE
BY JOSEPH S. PETE
Nestled on the shore of Lake Michigan, Michigan a business because of a work-ready workforce.The having a 60 percent graduation rate to a 90 percent
City, Indiana boasts a workforce that not only meets cost of living is low compared to other regions and graduation rate. They’re doing great things with the
the needs of local employers but is internationally there are many amenities that other areas do not school district.”
competitive. have, like the lakeshore, ease of travel and commute
and we’re close to a large metro area – Chicago.” Michigan City Area Schools do an excellent job of
The city of more than 31,000 residents on the Great teaching soft skills, such as showing up on time,
Lake’s south shore lies about an hour’s drive south- Michigan City has brought in more than $1 billion showing up every day and showing work ethic,
east of downtown Chicago. It’s home to a lively and in private and public sector investment over the past Hulse said. They also increasingly have tailored the
diverse economy that includes tourism, manufactur- five years. The city has spent millions of dollars on curriculum to the needs of local employers.
ing, healthcare, gaming, retail, banking, profession- upgrades to its lakefront, a downtown plaza and
al services and the arts. other amenities for attracting and retaining talent. This fall, Michigan City High School will launch its Air
“We have the workers for several industries and for Compressor Academy that’s sponsored by Sullair: A
The beachfront city is home to a K-12 school system more outside investment,” Economic Development Hitachi Group Company where students can work
that had the state’s first STEM-certified middle school. Corporation Michigan City, Indiana Executive Direc- on equipment used in its Michigan City plant.
And, the LaPorte County Career Center boasts pro- tor Clarence Hulse said. “We invited national and
grams such as an Energy Academy, Construction international companies to give our area a second “They get to assemble and disassemble air com-
Apprenticeship program and a new air compressor look. We have the workforce, the strategic location, pressors,” Hulse said. “Several other companies
academy at the high school. the access to consumer markets, low cost of doing have since jumped on board, including Sullivan
business, favorable business climate and an existing Palatek, Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Boss Indus-
Michigan City recently showcased its assets to site pipeline that ensures qualified employees.” tries and Vanair. It’s a very active cluster that supplies
selectors from across the country at the SiteLink con- over 2,000 jobs in Michigan City, which is the No. 1
ference at the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel, and Spa. The Economic Development Corporation Michigan location in Indiana for air compressor-related com-
City, Indiana helped bring the city 25 new projects panies.”
“It was important for the selectors to get a true feel of between 2015 and 2017 that resulted in $54 mil-
what Michigan City and LaPorte County has to offer lion in investment, 350 new jobs and the retention Ensuring a ready supply of workers is the number
and meet the generous and friendly people here,” of 750 jobs. one priority needed to persuade current companies
Michigan City Chamber of Commerce President to expand and lure outside companies in, Hulse
Mary Jo Orlowski said. “It is a great location to open Michigan City has a workforce that can attract new said. That’s why the city has been investing so heav-
employers because it’s fortunate enough to have ily in quality of life, such as with $5 million in im-
Ivy Tech Community College, Purdue Northwest in provements to the lakefront Washington Park, the
nearby Westville and Indiana University Northwest new North Pointe Pavilion with rooftop views of Lake
down Interstate 80/94 in Gary, Hulse said. Michigan and a new cruise boat that takes visitors
“Region schools have been very proactive in build- out on sightseeing trips and sunset dinner cruises.
ing a pipeline for future workers,” he said. “They’ve
worked with NIPSCO to prepare students for utili- “Quality of life is key to workforce,” Hulse said. “You
ty careers, whether as linemen or energy analysts. want to be able to attract quality people and give the
They’ve taught students welding, machining, con- local talent a reason to stay at home. You want to
struction and helped them land apprenticeships to give them a place to feel welcome. If you want to be
gain work experience. The high school doesn’t just attractive to more companies, you have to create a
promote the trades; it offers more dual-credit class- place where more people want to congregate and
es than anyone in Northwest Indiana. It went from have positive experiences.”
42 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Michigan City Area Schools and the A.K. Smith ing at institutions like the A.K. Smith Career Center, office has been reaching out to companies about
Career Center are preparing students for careers which offers vocational, professional and dual-credit corporate sponsorships.
in welding, machining, the culinary arts and man- classes to high school students from across LaPorte
ufacturing so they’re ready to hire right out of high County. “It’s another economic development tool to add to
school, Orlowski said. the tax base and population,” Meer said. “It adds
“Segments of the community need more prepa- extra value to homes in Michigan City. If you have
“The EDC and the Chamber partner to send MCAS ration,” Meer said “We went after these grants for two children who qualify, that adds $40,000 to the
th
th
7 - 8 grade students to the International Manu- those who need more preparation, whether to learn value of your home.”
facturing Technology Show in Chicago each year a new trade or familiarize themselves with new tech-
to give the students exposure to manufacturing on nology. We’re getting people ready for the building The city has been building momentum as it’s brought
an international level,” Orlowski said. “Students are trades like ironworkers, pipefitters and heavy equip- in $1 billion in public and private investment over the
bused to McCormick Place and are able to interact ment operators. There’s a big need for construction past five years, including a $240 million hospital by
with manufacturing businesses on a one-on-one lev- workers and it’s a good career. We want students to Franciscan Health- Michigan City just off Interstate
el. You can see the light bulbs go off when they real- be ready to ready to go to work or an apprenticeship 80/94.
ize that there are so many products made all around to brush up their skills.”
the world and they can be part of that production, The city’s been clearing away buildings between the
making things that they never realized they could.” In 2014, the La Porte County Career & Technical lakefront Washington Park and downtown to clear
Education program (A.K. Smith Career Center) the way for redevelopment as it adds more lakefront
Michigan City is investing in quality of life opened the state’s first Energy Academy to prepare parking.
Michigan City’s economy has been booming in re- students for careers at the utility NIPSCO, a subsidi-
cent years. ary of the erstwhile-Fortune 500 Company NiSource An infusion about $150 million in private-sector in-
in nearby Merrillville. vestment is expected when South Shore Line com-
“In 2012, unemployment was at 10 percent in muter rail double tracking comes through, speeding
Michigan City,” Mayor Ron Meer said. “Right now, “In vocational areas, industry-specific instructors up travel times to Chicago, Meer said. Transit-orient-
it’s 4.4 percent. A lot of the major employers have work right with our educators,” he said. “They have ed development is expected to bring in more Illinois
‘help wanted’ signs out right now. Major employers a feeder system. Major manufacturers even bring residents and millennials, many of whom may live in
and small businesses are looking for full-time help.” some of their equipment into the school so students or near downtown.
Over the last few years, Michigan City has worked can get prepared to work on it if they choose to go Such investments have helped draw in companies
to bring in workforce training grants, offer Michigan right into the workforce.” like Sera Solutions, a website design, social media
City High School graduates scholarships that offset management and digital advertising company that
the cost of college tuition and boost the quality of The school system offers many dual-credit programs relocated to Michigan City and then decided to ex-
life, Meer said. and graduates can go on to Ivy Tech Community pand there.
College or Purdue University Northwest “on the
“We’re trying to grow the climate for economic de- city’s doorstep” in Westville. Michigan City is making “It’s a good location for employees to commute
velopment and job creation,” he said. “We have a it more affordable for its residents to go off to col- from Northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan and
vision for making the city a place that attracts new lege with the Michigan City Promise Scholarship that the South Bend/Mishawaka area,” Sera Solutions
residents and businesses.” offers all graduates of Michigan City High School Founder and Chief Executive Officer Seth Spencer
who are the children of Michigan City homeown- said. “It’s convenient for employees and clients.
Michigan City and the nearby city of LaPorte recent- ers $5,000 a year for four years to any accredited We’ve grown into significantly larger commercial
ly landed a $677,000 Skill UP Indiana! grant from college or trade school in Indiana. It’s funded with space because of the local talent pool, the availabil-
the state government for manufacturing job train- revenue from the Blue Chip Casino, and Meer’s ity of interns from Purdue Northwest and Ivy Tech,
and the quality of life. They’re revitalizing a plaza
across from us right in the heart of downtown, which
makes the decision to expand here easier. It makes
it a nice place to work, where our employees have
places to eat and things to do nearby.”
Michigan City listens
Sera Solutions recently moved to a larger space on
Franklin Street in the Uptown Arts District in down-
town Michigan, adding 2,000 square feet and 10 to
15 new employers over the next few years.
Spencer said that’s largely because the community
has provided the employees and interns needed to
grow his business.
“There’s a focus on STEM in education in Michi-
gan City and LaPorte County,” he said. “Fourth and
fifth-graders are learning coding and apps. They are
unbelievably skilled.”
Sera Solutions has been able to hire local graduates
who are adaptable and ready to learn.
“In software development and graphic design, em
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 43
ployees are looking to go directly to Chicago or
Indianapolis, and we need to work to draw talent
from LaPorte and Porter counties. We want to hire
local people.”
Students are coming out prepared for high-tech
jobs, Spencer said.
“It’s said that the Midwest moves a lot more slow-
ly than the rest of country,” he said. “But Northwest
Indiana and Southwest Michigan are leading the
way. There’s STEM education, good universities,
momentum, an amount of revitalization and a large
talent pool with adaptable skills. We tell employees
it’s not what they know but what they can learn. If
you can survive, you’ll thrive… We need to be able
to innovate quickly.”
Spencer said he was also impressed that the city of-
fered grants, such as for facade improvements, that
Michigan City hosted events that drew hundreds of
thousands to town like the Great Lakes Grand Prix
on Lake Michigan and the Taste of Michigan City
food festival, and that city leadership and econom-
ic development officials listen, such as when he first
paid a visit to The Economic Development Corpo- prepare students for a wide range of careers. speak with greater clarity in partnerships with indus-
ration Michigan City, Indiana and immediately got try, the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce and
an audience. “There’s an engineering program, an entry-level stakeholders. We need to expose students to more
construction class and at the LaPorte County Career workforce opportunities, such as by taking them to a
“It’s a huge thing,” he said. “They are attentive and and Technical Education Center, welding programs, conference in Chicago where they can learn about
listening and willing, even to get you in touch with culinary programs, automotive partnerships and manufacturing and technology.”
local landlords about office space. They’re always a a partnership with the construction trade union, as
phone call away.” well as opportunities with criminal justice, which has To that end, Michigan City schools recently hired
Michigan City Area Schools makes a point of listen- been very popular, and fire science, which includes a College and Careers Coordinator, Director who
ing to local employers to ensure it’s preparing both training for EMTs and local fire departments,” Ea- ensures students from kindergarten on are aware of
students who want to go on to college and those son-Watkins said. “We try to listen to key stakehold- options for local careers, such as by bringing indus-
who want to immediately enter the workforce, Su- ers in LaPorte County to make sure the work we do is try representatives in to give talks to elementary and
perintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins said. totally aligned to the needs of the workforce.” middle school students. The hope is to ensure all stu-
dents end up with very good jobs, even if they’re not
The community has been supportive, raising Michigan City Area Schools not only listen to local likely or disposed to go on to college.
$10,000 in private donations in two weeks to send manufacturers and other key industry leaders in the
the state champion robotics team to the internation- community, it makes sure they’re speaking the same “One of the things that makes a difference in Mich-
al competition in Detroit. The school system has got- language, Eason-Watkins said. igan City is we work collaboratively with the eco-
ten engineering training funding from Project Lead “Educators spoke of pathways and standards and nomic development corporation and with the city
the Way and local employer Alcoa but is working to things of that nature,” she said. “But we need to to move the city forward,” Eason-Watkins said. “We
cater to the needs of the workforce and to local busi-
nesses because we understand education is integral
to the future.”
High school students from across LaPorte County get
acquainted with local manufacturing employers at a
“Made in LaPorte County” event that is held every
other year. It is an opportunity for employers to get
in front of students and share with them the products
that are made right in their communities.
“About 30 manufacturers spend the whole day with
young people who can see and feel and touch what
they make,” said Linda Woloshansky, president and
chief executive officer of the Center for Workforce
Innovations in nearby Valparaiso. “We make sure
the workforce gets developed from an early age so
there’s a pipeline of workers with the credentials they
need and work ethic to build the economy in North-
west Indiana.”
44 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Customized workforce solutions for
employers
Michigan City and LaPorte County have a vibrant
economy that needs more professionals in a num-
ber of industry sectors such as computer science,
information technology support, hospitality adminis-
tration, logistics and supply chain management, ed-
ucation business administration, medical assisting,
advanced manufacturing and the skilled building
trades since an entire generation of workers is retir-
ing in large numbers, Ivy Tech Community College
Michigan City Campus President Dr. Peter Linden
said.
“Collectively viewed, a sustainable employee devel-
opment pipeline is essential making a description
of Michigan City’s workforce more of a focus on
effectively reaching the community,” Linden said.
“Outreach entails informing students, parents and
community leaders of the many career opportuni-
ties indicative of the modern workplace and today’s
globally integrated economy. As a result, Michigan
City Area Schools and Ivy Tech Community Col- high-skilled position. the administration has worked to address specialized
lege’s Michigan City Campus partner in developing “Expanding our curricular partnership beyond pro- workforce needs for local businesses with an interna-
high school and adult education students for viable viding dual-credit college courses, our proposed ini- tional presence, such as Dwyer Instruments.
career paths while ensuring a seamless transition to tiative will meet employers’ needs locally and across
Ivy Tech.” LaPorte County by offering skilled technician training “It is not unusual for me to work closely with busi-
when the center’s normally scheduled courses are ness and industry executives including CEOs and
Ivy Tech’s local leadership met with Michigan City not in session thereby expanding workforce devel- HR directors as well as labor leaders, directors of
schools to discuss use of lab and shop space at the opment capacity,” Linden said. “This will also cre- economic development, superintendents, principals
A.K. Smith Career Center, which serves all LaPorte ate another avenue for students to earn a college and local officials such as the mayor and city plan-
County high schools with job training programs credential – by way of workforce training. Industrial ner,” he said. “Meetings are often focused, directly or
such as automotive services technology, construc- technology, machine tool, welding and advanced indirectly, on workforce development and the local
tion technology, facility maintenance, welding, manufacturing courses were proposed. Once final economy. With this in mind, my prompt response to
modern machine technology, and the Health Ca- approval is received, we could possibly begin offer- the operational needs of a business is normal.”
reers Academy. The career center teaches students ing our first courses at the career center later this fall.”
with classroom, lab and real-world experiences in a Michigan City works with potential investors and
work-oriented environment. Ivy Tech’s Michigan City Campus has recently hired existing employers on tax abatements, infrastructure
full-time faculty members to help meet the city’s and even on land in some cases, Meer said. But
Students going directly into the workforce into fields workforce needs. most importantly, it works to ensure there’s a pipeline
like automotive, welding, machining and hospitality of suitable job candidates.
are celebrated at a signing day ceremony at the A.K. “Accomplished faculty with applicable industry expe-
Smith Career Center like what college athletes get, rience were approved for information technology, “We know businesses need the resource of human
LaPorte County Career and Technical Education Di- logistics and supply chain management and indus- beings who have the skills, capabilities and work
rector Audra Peterson said. trial technology,” Linden said. “We also hired a full- ethic,” he said. “In Michigan City and LaPorte Coun-
time early college coach who is engaged at area ty, we make sure workers are prepared to enter the
The Career Center’s curriculum is crafted with in- high schools, A. K. Smith Career Center and with workforce and get the training or retraining needed
put from local employers like Urschel Laboratories, adult education students. During summer 2018, our so they’re prepared to do the work. Our school sys-
Dekker Vacuum Technologies and Sullivan-Palatek. Michigan City Campus also initiated its first associate tem is competitive with any in Northwest Indiana.”
degree accelerated program – in elementary edu- The Economic Development Corporation Michigan
“We quite often work hand-in-hand with employ- cation.” City, Indiana, the schools, the city and other com-
ers,” Peterson said. “We have to make sure the kids munity partners have been working on both place
are getting what they need, so we tailor the edu- Ivy Tech’s applied programs have industry-specific making and workforce development in all sectors.
cation to the training and skills employers need... advisory boards that convene regularly.
We’re always looking for more partners, whether “We want to see white-collar jobs, blue-collar jobs,
that’s internships, job shadowing or talks in the “Giving freely of their time, talent and expertise, pro- e-commerce and banking,” Hulse said. “We want
classroom.” gram advisory board members are business lead- people to come here and to stay here to live, work,
ers who ensure our offerings are attuned to industry and play. I believe we have a stellar workforce that
The A.K. Smith Career Center in Michigan City of- needs and trends,” Linden said. “Members provide allows us to play in the big leagues. Our workforce
fers 14 programs, all of which are set up for students input into curricular updating to assure programs re- pipelines, education and quality of life ensure that
to earn certification and some of which include du- main current and hire students.” local companies can be successful. Several partners
al-credit courses. It will start offering enough this fall are working together to help educate and maintain
for high school students to graduate with both a high The community college is adding a board of trustees the talent pool.”
school diploma and an associate degree that would this fall that will help guide the campus, and most of
allow them to immediately enter the workforce in a the trustees are business leaders, Linden said. And
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 45
GOVERNOR
JEFF COLYER
STATE OF
KANSAS
Jeffrey William Colyer, is an American surgeon and Clark’s exploration through present-day Jackson tural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn,
the 47th Governor of Kansas. A Republican, he County. sorghum, and soybeans. Kansas, which has an
served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 km2)
since 2011, as a member of the Kansas Senate from Giving recognitions to a confluence of rivers and re- is the 15th-largest state by area and is the 34th
2009 to 2011, and in the Kansas House of Repre- sources, Kansas City served for decades as a central most-populous of the 50 states with a population of
sentatives from 2007 to 2009. point along three major Western migration trails, in- 2,911,641. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans.
cluding the Oregon Trail, which celebrates its 175th Mount Sunflower is Kansas’s highest point at 4,041
Kansas is a Midwestern state Its capital is Topeka and anniversary in 2018. feet.
its largest city is Wichita. Kansas embodies the U.S.
heartland with its Great Plains setting of rolling wheat The Lewis and Clark Lookout highlights this journey ansas alongside great schools, a low cost of living
fields. The Museum of World Treasures in Wichita, as well, as a statue marks the spot where Lewis and and vibrant communities, Kansas enjoy an aston-
the state’s largest city, covers world history from di- Clark paused atop a steep bluff (in now-Downtown ishing quality of life. Kansas cities offer an array of
nosaurs to Elvis, while the open-air Old Cowtown Kansas City) to take in a sweeping panorama of the exceptional cultural options from food and music to
Museum traces the city’s pioneer past. In nearby Missouri River Valley. sports and art. Of course, it also famous for their
Hutchinson, the Cosmosphere displays the Russian friendly small towns, scenic natural beauty and wide-
Vostok and Apollo 13 spacecrafts. Visit Westport to follow historical trail markers and ex- open spaces.
Year round, visitors can check out the National plore the oldest neighborhood in the city—another
Frontier Trails Museum for an in-depth look at KC’s former starting line for Westward expansion. With a population of just over 2.9 million, Kansas
trailblazing history, including insights into Lewis and Kansas was one of the most productive agricul- packs a heavy economic punch. A proactive legis
46 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Jeffrey William Colyer, is an American surgeon and Visit Westport to follow historical trail markers and ex- And don’t forget the state’s historic farm and cattle
the 47th Governor of Kansas. A Republican, he plore the oldest neighborhood in the city—another towns - places like Dodge City, Garden City, Salina,
served as the 49th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas former starting line for Westward expansion. Hays and Great Bend - that have made Kansas the
since 2011, as a member of the Kansas Senate from Kansas was one of the most productive agricul- Heartland of America and one of the most prolific
2009 to 2011, and in the Kansas House of Repre- tural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn, agricultural regions on earth.
sentatives from 2007 to 2009. sorghum, and soybeans. Kansas, which has an
area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 km2) Governor Colyer has worked tirelessly to create a
Kansas is a Midwestern state Its capital is Topeka and is the 15th-largest state by area and is the 34th Kansas tax environment that fosters growth amongst
its largest city is Wichita. Kansas embodies the U.S. most-populous of the 50 states with a population of the state’s leading job-creators: small businesses.
heartland with its Great Plains setting of rolling wheat 2,911,641. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans. As a result of this work, Kansas small businesses
fields. The Museum of World Treasures in Wichita, Mount Sunflower is Kansas’s highest point at 4,041 are now growing by a faster percentage than all of
the state’s largest city, covers world history from di- feet. the bordering states and the national average. This
nosaurs to Elvis, while the open-air Old Cowtown is critical, as most Kansans work for small business.
Museum traces the city’s pioneer past. In nearby ansas alongside great schools, a low cost of living In tax year 2013, more than 8,600 first-time small
Hutchinson, the Cosmosphere displays the Russian and vibrant communities, Kansas enjoy an aston- business filers brought more than $486 million in
Vostok and Apollo 13 spacecrafts. ishing quality of life. Kansas cities offer an array of new income to the state. The old tax system pun-
Year round, visitors can check out the National exceptional cultural options from food and music to ished entrepreneurs and savers alike, resulting in
Frontier Trails Museum for an in-depth look at KC’s sports and art. Of course, it also famous for their slow job growth and limited economic opportunity.
trailblazing history, including insights into Lewis and friendly small towns, scenic natural beauty and wide- Lowering income tax burdens and transitioning to
Clark’s exploration through present-day Jackson open spaces. consumption taxes allows for economic growth and
County. more opportunity for every Kansan. Under this poli-
With a population of just over 2.9 million, Kansas cy, Kansans are getting higher paying jobs.
Giving recognitions to a confluence of rivers and re- packs a heavy economic punch. A proactive legis-
sources, Kansas City served for decades as a central lative and regulatory environment and major ad- The KAAAC members devise strategies to address
point along three major Western migration trails, in- vantages in costs, taxes, skilled workforce and major the public policy concerns of the African American
cluding the Oregon Trail, which celebrates its 175th transportation assets have merged to make the Sun- community through its partnerships with the state
anniversary in 2018. flower State a haven for investment and innovation. agencies, corporations and foundations. The Com-
Kansans are famous for their modesty, but it’s hard mission will serve as a conduit for programs, grants,
The Lewis and Clark Lookout highlights this journey not to brag about the state’s world-class communi- research, and policy advice for state and local or-
as well, as a statue marks the spot where Lewis and ties. Kansas is a blend of cosmopolitan and rural, ganizations in addressing concerns that are unique
Clark paused atop a steep bluff (in now-Downtown with everything from booming metro areas, down- to the African American Community in the state of
Kansas City) to take in a sweeping panorama of the towns and suburbs, to serene farm communities and Kansas.
Missouri River Valley. quaint college towns.
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 47
Topeka is a vibrant capital city filled with friendly people, an affordable cost of
living, and access to excellent education programs. Short commutes allow for
residents to work within their desired fields while pursuing their favorite leisure
activities in their down time. Most residents of Topeka would agree: the capital
city is a wonderful place to live, work, and play.
Securing Topeka’s future as a desirable place to raise families, start a business,
or simply enjoy visiting, community leaders began working on a development
strategy known as Momentum 2022.
Momentum 2022 is a four-phase research and strategic planning process that
included community engagement, regional scorecards and competitive assessment,
developing holistic economic development strategy and finally, implementation
all to be completed within a five year span. The framework for implementing the
process includes five specific goals: develop homegrown talent, create vibrant
and attractive places, grow a diverse economy, promote a positive image, and
collaborate for a strong community.
More specifically, developing homegrown talent includes aligning the “talent
pipeline” already existing in Topeka and Shawnee County, ensuring that all children
in the area are ready for kindergarten, preparing students for college and careers
and expanding education for adults.
48 FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018
Creating vibrant and attractive places Finally, collaborating for a strong community
includes optimizing tools and programs by fostering and promoting a diverse and
to improve quality of place, developing a inclusive Topeka and Shawnee County
dynamic regional core, and investing in and encouraging healthy, safe, and engaged
infrastructure that promotes quality of place. communities.
Growing a diverse economy by enhancing To accomplish these goals, strategic
the entrepreneurial ecosystem, maintaining objectives will be implemented by
a best-practice economic development committees comprised of community
program, and pursuing policies that support members committed to the growth and more can always be done with additional
holistic economic development. success of Topeka. A great deal of work is resources, committed leadership, and a
Promoting a positive image by aligning already underway in Topeka and Shawnee spirit of cooperation. The ultimate goal
marketing messages to boost efficiency and County related to many of the goal areas, is to effectively incorporate existing,
impact while projecting a positive image to objectives, and recommendations in the enhanced, and new activities under a
residents and outside talent. framework of Momentum 2022, but coordinated implementation framework.
Questions regarding Topeka and its plan for
economic development can be
directed to:
Molly Howey
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785.231.6040
FDI ALLIANCE | SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2018 49