Heart of Florida
Key Results
Heart of Florida Regional Coalition is making its mark in the region with these early milestone completions.
November 30, 2004
A community planning retreat was held in Micanopy to develop a strategic roadmap for the newly established Heart of Florida Regional Coalition. The participants, representing key regional leadership, overwhelmingly supported the regional concept and proceeded to develop a desired vision into five strategic focus areas: Economic Development; Legislative/Political; Marketing/Brand Expansion; Quality of Life; and Organizational Structure/Funding. The result of this planning retreat provided the catalyst to formalize the coalition around the strategic focus areas and create a more formal organization to meet these objectives. Early funding for the Coalition was established through Congressman Cliff Stearns and the Small Business Administration.
May 30, 2007
The newly formed Heart of Florida Regional Coalition Coordinating Board had its inaugural meeting to establish its regional presence and begin the action oriented journey of service leadership to the region.
September 6, 2007
The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition Coordinating Board held its strategic planning conference to fine tune its strategic focus areas and begin developing its three-year strategic plan. The strategic focus areas were modified to include: Economic Development; Legislative; Marketing/Branding; Regional Water; Regional Transportation; Arts, Culture & Recreation; and Organization Infrastructure.
Key Results
Economic Development
Heart of Florida National Site Location Consultant’s Event – Gainesville Council for Economic Development, Ocala/Marion County Economic Development and Progress Energy teamed up to conduct a regional event to showcase the region to prominent national economic development site location consultants. The consultants represent targeted corporations around the country find appropriate sites for expanding their businesses. The consultants were presented with a regional overview of the strengths and assets of the region, were provided a guided tour of potential development sites and were personally welcomed by the region’s leadership. This has become an annual event resulting in several new projects brought to the region by attending consultants.
The Heart of Florida supported and assisted in developing a funding plan strategy for the region’s Small Business Development Center. The plan resulted in the successful funding of the Small Business Development Center, restoring its presence and expanding its services. The business counseling services provided by the Small Business Development Center is critically important for small businesses in this region.
The Heart of Florida assisted with developing a business retention strategy for a manufacturing facility in the region. Serving on the mission specific taskforce, the action steps developed helped retain the facility in the region.
Promotional advertisements in national publications have highlighted the assets in the Heart of Florida for regional economic development opportunity.
Through the organizational skill and energy of Florida’s Eden, the Heart of Florida Scenic Trail has become a reality. The Scenic Trail through Marion and Alachua counties is guided by map and electronic technology that provides a touring experience of the natural treasures, cultural assets and local haunts in the region.
The 2009 Heart of Florida Consultant’s Event was held, attracting top site location consultant’s from around the country. The event focused on the available regional assets and sites, the favorable economic development strategies and excellent available trained workforce. The region is in discussion on possible projects directed to the Heart of Florida.
Legislative
The Heart of Florida has participated in the annual Alachua and Marion Counties Legislative Days. The Heart of Florida banner was displayed in the State Legislative Building rotunda. Visits to the legislators are made along with the local/regional leadership. The Heart of Florida has been present for the annual legislative delegation hearings and has been recognized as a viable interface with the legislature.
Legislative priorities for 2009 were presented to the Alachua and Marion County legislative delegation.
Regional Water
Regional water supply management and protection is a critical regional issue that the Coalition quickly moved on addressing. On November 30, 2007, the Heart of Florida conducted a Regional Water Supply Management Forum. The Forum was organized to bring the key water supply partners together to discuss the current and future state of water supply management and next step action items that should be considered. The Forum was co-chaired by the mayors of Gainesville and Ocala. Participants included representatives of the regions water management staff, elected city and county officials, state representatives and senators, water management district, water conservation and management organizations, and business leaders. This historic regional collaboration yielded several action items that supported the region’s emphasis on water management and conservation.
On April 22, 2007, the Heart of Florida Regional Coalition conducted a Regional Water Conservation Workshop. The workshop included over thirty water related utilities and organizations working together to determine how to define and measure successful water conservation and exploring water conservation best practices that could be incorporated in the water supply utilities conservation plans. Input was offered by specialists in the field. The utilities represented, both public and private were provided technical and practical application of water conservation measures.
In 2009, the HOF developed a strategy to respond to the potential impacts of the Water Congress recommendations to the Century Commission. Action plans have been developed to support the region’s water management objectives.
Marketing/Branding
The Heart of Florida logo has been developed and utilized on various applications. The logo is available on both the Star Banner and Gainesville Sun Websites. Many businesses, radio stations, other media outlets and advertisers have begun using the Heart of Florida as a regional identifier. The Gainesville Regional Airport Website welcomes flyers to the “gateway” to the Heart of Florida.
Regional Transportation
A regional request for Congressional funding to support an I-75 corridor traffic improvement study was submitted. The Alachua County MTPO and the Marion County TPO worked together on the proposal to utilize technology to alert drivers of traffic conditions and alternative routes for severe congestion situations. Funding was not approved.
Heart of Florida Annual Summit
The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition held its regional Summit on March 2, 2009 at the University of Florida’s Emerson Alumni Hall. Over 115 leaders participated in the four and a half hour session, focusing on situation assessments on water, new technology ventures, economic development initiatives, mega regionalism and transportation. Summit participants indicated that improving clout in policy advocacy and ensuring a rising regional reputation must be built on great execution and project successes. Click here for a view of the PowerPoint presentations.
Current Events/Projects
Economic Development
The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition is participating in a critical Healthcare Workforce shortage Steering Committee. The purpose of the Steering Committee is to address the region’s healthcare workforce shortage in faculty, students and professionals. The steering committee is composed of healthcare educators, hospitals and business leaders. Several strategies are under development to address these shortages and provide regional awareness of the employment opportunities. The second annual Heart of Florida Healthcare Summit was held on September 22, 2008. Plans are currently underway for the 1009 Healthcare Summit.
Regional alliances with organizations such as the Florida High Tech Corridor are under development to promote the region and grow its innovation technology presence.
Heart of Florida Annual Summit
Plans will begin soon on the second Annual Summit.
Legislative
The Heart of Florida Coordinating Board is developing its 2010 regional legislative approach in support of regional issues.
Regional Transportation
The Coordinating Board will hear reports on the current state of the region’s airports and plans for the future in transportation and services.
Broadband Stimulus Funds Assessment
The Heart of Florida convened a regional team to evaluate the feasibility of applying for federal grant funds for expanding the middle mile loop of broadband infrastructure within the region. The feasibility analysis is to determine the application qualification and sustainability opportunity of the system for continuous governance, operation and maintenance. The team will report its findings.
