Economic Development Council of Collier County

Description

In October 1997, a Public/Private Partnership was established between the EDC and Collier County Board of County Commissioners. This partnership reflects a commitment on behalf of both the public and private sectors in Collier County to diversify the economy, create high wage value-added jobs, and facilitate capital formation. Through Collier County’s Public/Private Partnership, the EDC works with community leaders in both the public and private sector to expand and attract companies in the target industries of Health & Life Sciences, Computer Software & Services, aviation and light manufacturing.

As a direct result of this Public/Private Partnership, more than 18,768 high-skilled jobs have been created or retained within our target industry sectors - paying an average wage approximately 30% above that of Collier County - with over $1 billion in capital investment introduced into the county's economy from
October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2007.

Vision: Collier County is an active center of research and development and applied science with an enviable quality of life. The community attracts creative and highly educated knowledge workers that support the County’s strong research base, which provides well paying jobs for current and future generations. Collier County has research centers from which economic spin-offs occur and is known as a leading medical, technology and research community.

Objective: To promote technological innovation and spur entrepreneurship, which supports industry cluster development and knowledge networks.

Outcomes:
·Increase proportion of knowledge-based primary jobs.
Collier County’s economy is overly dependent on population driven industries of construction, tourism and related services. To achieve long-term economic sustainability, it is necessary to create a better balance of primary job opportunities.

·Diversify tax base.
Collier County is overly reliant on collections from residential property taxes. Generally, a greater proportion of property taxes are needed from non-residential sources to cover the cost of services required by its citizens.

·Increase recognition of Collier County as a global knowledge center.