Economic Development

Innovation and Economic Development Team

Creating a comprehensive approach to sustainable economic development

Creating a sustainable economy for Broward County requires a disciplined approach and collaboration within the county, region and all industry sectors. The Innovation and Economic Development team will focus in promoting legislation that promotes our local and regional economic development aspirations in the implementation of key strategies for investment and job growth. We will work jointly with other teams to ensure legislation developed by the Governor of the State of Florida is compatible with our needs.

Team Leader:
Jose Cortes, Skanska USA Building Inc. 954-240-7996, jose.cortes@skanska.com

Team members:
Dr. Linda D. Bolitho, United Nations World Education Committee; Bob Caine, Project Caine; Gary Hines, Broward County School Public Schools; Les Hollingsworth, Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management; Mason Jackson, Workforce One; Michael Madfis, The Madfis Group; JC Nadeau, Florida Natural Energy LLC; John R Pisula, State Farm; David J. Rivera, City of Coconut Creek; Al Siefert, Al Siefert Electric; Robert Van Fleet; Greg Vayda, Florida Power & Light; Doug Weber, Paladin Global Partners; Frank Herhold, Marine Industry; Manuel Mencia, International Department, Enterprise Florida; Amy Evancho, Florida Economic Development Council; Deborah Wilkinson, Office of Economic & Small Business Devt.

Mission:
Our team will harness the economic energies of the tri-county region to optimize positioning within the region for state and federal funding and advocate for the region's economic development issues in creating jobs and capital investment.

Issues:
•    Gain consensus and encourage participation and collaboration between the public, private and education sector to prioritize the development of long-term strategies for economic growth, job creation and improved quality of life.
•    Ensure the development of sustainable economic initiatives focused on investment and job growth.
•    Funding and establishment of initiatives in the areas of business assistance, tax incentives, and improved financing options to stimulate organic private-sector growth to create a viable engine of economic prosperity.
•    Promote, stimulate and maintain emphasis to attract, recruit and expand businesses within the creative industries sector.
•    Provide a platform to facilitate business assistance programs specifically tailored for the small to medium size companies and entrepreneurs to facilitate business start-ups and expansions.

Date Submitted: 11/09/11