2013 Business Outlook for Florida's Capital Region

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S

2013 Business Outlook for Florida’s Capital Region LEON, GADSDEN, WAKULLA AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES

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k a r e n b m o o r e . c o m

Karen B. Moore

Beth Kirkland, CEcD

WELCOME! Welcome to what we hope will become a frequent reference for you as you navigate the economy and assess opportunities for growth — whether locally or globally — by offering new products or services, expanding to new markets or investing in facilities, equipment and talent … or all three.

Through product development, marketing, research, technical assistance, special incentives and zones and industry sector initiatives that strengthen the competitive advantage of the region, the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County is aggressively serving the needs of regional employers and creating an opportunity for our graduates and our children to stay in Tallahassee.

The EDC could not offer this suite of resources without the support from more than 100 public and private investors. These investors allow the EDC to continue building the momentum the region is experiencing in job creation and capital investment.

We encourage you to use the Business Outlook to learn more about the programs available to elevate your business. The future is now for Florida’s Capital Region, and we are poised for a Quantum Leap!

&OUSFQSFOFVS t &YQMPSFS $PMMFDUPS t "EWPDBUF $&0 'PVOEFS For me, connecting means listening, seeing, engaging, relating, inspiring and advocating.

Thank you,

Karen B. Moore Chairman

Beth Kirkland, CEcD Executive Director

Welcome to a platform that allows us to connect like never before.

P.S. To learn more about Project Quantum Leap, visit TalEDC.com/QuantumLeap

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Paul Watts, COO Electronet Broadband Communications, Bart Gunter, Kevin Vaughn and Lisa Beasley.

RE AL CUSTOMERS . RE AL ISSUES . RE AL SOLUTIONS .

We were using a national provider for our VOIP telephone and Internet service. We were constantly having performance issues that were negatively impacting our business. We called on Electronet to help us improve our performance and assist in solving our telephone system problems. Electronet built ďŹ ber optics into our business and connected our remote ofďŹ ces. They assisted us in our purchase of new VOIP phones that are working great. We have greatly improved our performance and reliability while reducing expenses. We would highly recommend Electronet to anyone wishing to improve their business communications. They are a true hometown communications company!

Kevin Vaughn Recipiant: Roger, Gunter, Vaughn

Recipiant: Electronet

3 4 1 1 C a p i t a l M e d i c a l B l v d . Ta l l a h a s s e e , F L | 2 2 2 . 0 2 2 9 | w w w. e l e c t r o n e t . n e t

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TAB L E OF CONTE NTS

About the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/ Leon County As an affiliate organization of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, Inc. (EDC) is a public/private partnership between the city, county and private investors committed to establishing a competitive business climate that results in job creation. By connecting the private sector, education and local government, the EDC helps join forces to: » foster entrepreneurialism; » advance local businesses; » grow targeted industry sectors; and — » attract innovative companies to our area.

By supporting new business development, providing technical assistance and advocacy to regional employers, as well as managing a suite of business retention, expansion and attraction resources, the EDC is creating a sustainable regional economy.

To find out more, please visit www.TalEDC.com

3 Welcome Letter

24 Transportation

6 Entrepreneurial Excellence

29 Industry Sector Roundtables

14 International Business Development

33 Educated Workforce

17 Tax Incentives

36 Quality of Life

20 Healthcare

38 Facts & Figures

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Produced in partnership with:

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TALLAHASSEE NURTURES ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT A

great idea can be born anywhere, but where it grows up has a lot to do with its long-term success.

For the ideas lucky enough to get their start in Tallahassee, there is a growing, nurturing environment awaiting them that has proven successful in helping entrepreneurs transition innovative concepts into thriving businesses.

The Tallahassee region is home to a strong and well-coordinated entrepreneurial ecosystem that is perhaps unrivaled for a community of its size. Key community leaders from business, education and government have collaborated to create an environment that provides entrepreneurs with access to everything they need to be successful — or at least take it to the next level.

Start-ups have access to intellectual capital from our universities, research institutions and extended entrepreneurial community. Our baseline talent pool includes C-level managers, recent graduates and a workforce trained in a variety of useful skills. Financial capital is available through government grant and loan programs, venture capitalists, banks and corporate partners. Local Chambers and the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County work with trade associations and government officials to advocate for entrepreneurs.

And finally, a wide variety of resources and support are available through local incubators, industry roundtables and economic gardening programs.

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Tallahassee’s climate of innovation and job growth is gaining attention outside the region as well. Moving.com recently recognized Tallahassee as one of the Best Cities for Millennials, while The Atlantic Media Company categorized Tallahassee residents as being a part of America’s Leading Creative Class. In 2011, Tallahassee also earned honors as one of the Best Midsized Cities for Job Growth from Newgeography.com in addition to being a part of 100 Leading Locations for 2011

by Area Development magazine.

Any of these factors individually would be helpful to an entrepreneur, but when considered collectively, they present a unique and exciting ecosystem that encourages the kind of risk-taking entrepreneurship that creates business and redefines industries.

Where Do the Ideas Come From?

Of course, ideas can be conceived in kitchens or garages, but in Tallahassee many of the ideas fed into the entrepreneurial pipeline come from researchers at Florida A&M University and Florida State University.

Research coming from our universities has a strong history of leading to commercial success. FSU researchers developed the cancer-battling drug Taxol. Bing Energy located its international headquarters in Tallahassee because of the nanotechnology breakthrough by FSU Professor Jim Zheng

that will lead to better and cheaper fuel cell production.

“Thirty six startups have come out of FSU work in the past 16 years,” said John Fraser, FSU assistant vice president for research and economic development and executive director of IP Development and Commercialization. “These startups are a way to create jobs locally. Universities can help companies grow, and we want to begin to more proactively market our research.”

To help FSU researchers get started, the FSU Research Foundation created the GAP Grant Program to commercialize research performed at the university while actively supporting the faculty in their pursuits. Each year, the program allots $250,000 as a way to encourage faculty to pursue entrepreneurial ventures related to their research. Many of the 37 research proposals supported would have not moved forward without the help of the GAP grants.

Over the past six years, GAP grant funded projects have seen a return of $11 per $1 of grants distributed for a total of $15,586,000 in funding for further research. This funding has come from organizations like the American Heart Association, Department of Defense, National Institute of Health and the United States Army, in addition to licenses negotiated with private companies like Bing Energy and Aldrich Chemical. Going forward, the GAP program intends to get the broader business

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community involved and increase the amount of funding received from the commercial sector.

Helping Entrepreneurs Get a Strong Start The EDC’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Program (EEP) was created to help startup businesses and entrepreneurs make it through the vulnerable stages of business development. With the help of local business experts, program participants go through courses such as developing successful business ideas, marketing strategies and effective sales as well as exploring options for funding and financing to equip them for success.

These courses occur over eight sessions and have the advantage of putting startup businesses and entrepreneurs faceto-face with business leaders who have successfully navigated the early stages of business development.

The majority of participants in the EEP have limited general business experience, with perhaps a working knowledge in only one aspect prior to entering the program. Yet, through these sessions, they get training on how to handle some of the most challenging aspects of business development. Without guidance, most start-ups and entrepreneurs have the potential to make major mistakes in building a successful team or incur severe financial hits by not being aware of critical legal and ethical principles of business.

The EEP recognizes these pitfalls and

has sessions devoted to helping students avoid these mistakes.

For example, the sixth week of the class addresses entrepreneurial insights, in which participants hear “from the trenches” stories from a panel of local entrepreneurs. This is an opportunity for the class members to hear how entrepreneurs would have handled their start-up processes differently and ask them questions directly. As a result, students get a chance to engage entrepreneurs and experts who would not usually be accessible to them.

Another highlight of the program is the final class on giving business presentations. During this session, participants take the knowledge and resources they have acquired during the previous seven sessions and present their business ideas to experienced entrepreneurs. Participants then receive feedback to help them gauge the feasibility of their business, gain insights on the market potential and the availability of financing options.

Sixty-three individuals have graduated from the EEP. They represent 41 companies, including Nuekie Inc, a specialist in the research and development of dermatological products for people of ethnic background, and BungoBox, a company that rents reusable plastic moving boxes and supplies.

Justin Wheeles, owner of the start-up company Spray Box, attributes his ability to launch his company directly to the connections and instruction he received

@ AMTC5 @AMWATmovers @BigBendWorks @BingEnergyIntl @BungoBox @COTNews @FLDEO @FloridaDBPR @FloridaState @FSUJMI @FSUMagLab @GoToTCC @GrowFL @Innovation_Park @KingArthurTools @KnightFdn @LeonCounty

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The Entrepreneurial Excellence Program will navigate you through the vulnerable stages of business development by providing access to a team of local business experts, researchers and specialists who will help increase your chance of success in the market.

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AMWAT is one of more than a dozen Tallahassee companies to have benefitted from GrowFL, the state’s economic gardening program.

through the Entrepreneurial Excellence Program. Through the EEP, Wheeles updated his business plan and gained access to crucial resources to get his product from prototype to sales-ready.

“The course provided a new framework for how I view my business,” says Greg Frost of Gulf Coast Tung Oil, “As a business with an agricultural focus I qualify for specialized financing options, and the EDC introduced me to Farm Credit of Florida through which I was able to get an equipment loan. The course also provided encouragement and realistic ways to gauge whether my business plan was moving in the right direction.”

Ready for Stage Two When a company moves beyond the start-up stage, they often are in prime position to really take off — with the right help. GrowFL, the state’s economic gardening program, focuses on helping existing small businesses grow by providing them with the high-level strategic resources and tools they ordinarily may not have access to. GrowFL has provided high-end quick-response strategic resource tools/technical assistance to more than a dozen Tallahassee compa-

nies, including AMWAT, Partners in Association Management, Notary Public Underwriters and Accent Office Interiors.

To be eligible, a company must be defined as Stage 2, a for-profit, privately held business, with at least 10 employees but no more than 50, generating at least $1 million but not more that $25 million in annual revenue.

“These are typically not companies that have a lot of capital to invest in marketing,” said Michael Parker, director of the Economic & Community Development Department at the City of Tallahassee. “What the program does is pool together a lot of technical expertise in marketing and business development and gives these companies access to this technical expertise to help them explore (the possibilities), like launching a new product.”

Tallahassee is a leader in the economic gardening movement, having recently received a Level I program certification from the National Center for Economic Gardening (NCEG). Requirements for Level I certification include documentation of entrepreneurial support, local economic development agency support and a program director certified by

NCEG — a requirement fulfilled by the EDC’s Kara Palmer Smith. Last March, the City of Tallahassee provided the EDC $35,000 to train and certify EDC staff in providing economic gardening services to local businesses.

The EDC will continue to play a significant role this coming year. The Florida Legislature recently approved another year of funding, which will enable GrowFL to seek and find local partners to help deliver economic gardening.

A local GrowFL success story is King Arthur’s Tools, a small, family owned business that specializes in power tools and accessories — named after medieval Knights of the Round Table. They had an idea for a white board, sort of a “smart board,” for writing notes, but it was a new product line outside their standard offerings. The GrowFL team provided a valuable market study that led to a successful product launch through a national office products retail chain. It is an example of a business that was established and successfully expanded by utilizing services provided by GrowFL. Bennett Napier, CAE, the president and CEO of Partners in Association Management, says taking advantage of GrowFL services was a no-brainer.

“There’s no cost to the program and getting involved is extremely helpful,” he said. “I think the thing that surprised us the most in terms of getting involved in the program is the depth of resources.

You don’t really realize the different types of subject matter experts they actually have, that they can bring to work for you. It’s really like lots of extra sets of hands coming on board to do projects that you know you should be doing but don’t have time to get to.”

Napier says GrowFL helped with branding and general client prospecting to a broader audience. “Thanks to the GrowFL program, our company will likely secure one or two new clients within the next 12 months, which will bring our revenue up significantly.”

Getting the Right Support Creating the right environment is a must-have for any economy to survive and thrive, and Tallahassee has many service organizations, offices and agencies designed specifically to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit.

Tallahassee Community College (TCC) is an example of an academic 2013 B U S I N E S S O U T L O O K

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center that has assumed the role of entrepreneurial educator.

TCC supports entrepreneurs in a number of ways, including the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, which is geared toward developing skills among manufacturers and employees. The center was the result of a Department of Defense grant designed to help preserve American manufacturing capability.

The AMTC has a number of high-tech tools available, including a 3-D printer capable of creating plastic prototypes of tools, machine parts or other products.

As part of that training center, TCC built an incubator for manufacturing companies. This incubator offers configurable space, which is leased to tenants who come in with a manufacturing concept but need a place to set up shop and work out the bugs in the system.

The college is also encouraging entrepreneurship by exploring ways to reconfigure its TCC Capitol Center facility into a white-collar business incubator. Located downtown at the Brogan Museum, the center offers top-quality

Eunice Cofie, President and Chief Cosmetic Chemist of Nuekie, Inc. is one of over 60 entrepreneurs who have completed the EDC’s Entrepreneurial Excellence Program.

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meeting and conference space. There are 22 executive suites with telephones, IT, IT support, a common break room, conference room and board room — all for a low monthly fee.

The Florida Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by Florida A&M University and located at Innovation Park, also stands ready to help the cause of the entrepreneurial eco-system.

The center is a small business support service-oriented center where “we analyze the needs of existing business owners and try to provide some type of technical assistance to those business owners based on their identified needs,” said the SBDC Director Keith Bowers.

The SBDC has been around for more than 20 years and the FAMU branch is one of 35 such centers in Florida. The local office provides service to Liberty, Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Franklin and Wakulla counties.

Aside from teaching the basics, the SBDC also conducts market research, financial

analysis, feasibility studies, website review and social media marketing.

“We’re pretty comprehensive,” Bowers said. “And everything we do is through certified business consultants, people who have strong backgrounds in accounting, marketing, management and operations.

“Anybody who is interested in providing any type of support or services, whether it’s capital formation resources or training opportunities, we’re willing to assist them in any way we can,” he said. “That’s what I think is needed in this environment, because it’s a tough environment for small businesses to succeed. They really need as much help as they can get. Really, the entrepreneurial eco-system is just that: a community in and of itself.”

Changing the Business Culture Not every city in Florida can offer young, budding entrepreneurs a place to explore their potential as well as provide them a hip and happening place to live

and relax. But thanks to two private endowments — from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and JMI Family Enterprises — Tallahassee is becoming exactly that place.

The Knight Creative Communities Institute (KCCI) seeks to attract and keep young professionals, and develop a new type of workforce for the Capital City. Founded in early 2009 and funded by a five-year grant from the Knight Foundation, KCCI’s mission is to improve the cultural and social resources of the city in a way that attracts a “creative class” of employee.

In 2007, KCCI designed a grassroots effort to get citizens excited about improving things around their hometown.

Their efforts produced the Tallahassee Film Festival, Sustainable Tallahassee and the Get Gaines Going effort. The latter initiative has turned Gaines Street into a “walkable” arts and entertainment district that appeals to creative young workers.

“It’s about making Tallahassee a better place to live, work and play for

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young professionals,” said KCCI Executive Director Laurie Hartsfield. “If you can make your city attractive to creative types, creative employers will come here and the workforce adapts to help (the economy) diversify.”

Aside from the Gaines Street improvements, Midtown is also becoming a “place” to gather and live.

“We don’t have hard data but you are seeing more young professionals go to place-making efforts like Midtown and grouping there and gathering there,” she said. “Midtown is thriving and seeing the price of homes go up and a lot of young professionals are moving into that area.”

The Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship, which is part of the College of Business at The Florida State

University, was founded in 1995 by donations from automobile tycoon Jim Moran, his wife Jan, and JM Family Enterprises Inc. JMI’s mission is to groom current and next-generation entrepreneurial leaders and be a constant source of education and expertise. The institute serves 2,000 business and non-business majors and more than 200 businesses in the community.

Randy Blass, director of JMI, said the faculty, staff, research library and all the facilities of the Florida State University College of Business create a unique conduit through which the business leaders of tomorrow learn their trade today.

“We come at this from a recognizable entity and are able to provide a resource to the community, a conduit of resources, out from the university to the commu-

nity,” he said. “We connect students with the business community. We become a connector of a lot of capabilities and we are a valuable resource to be leveraged by the small business community.”

JMI faculty and staff provide students, faculty, entrepreneurs and business owners the tools and expertise necessary to develop strategies that establish and sustain advantages for businesses in today’s competitive marketplace and to creatively pursue new opportunities and innovations involving the startup of new business ventures.

It is part of a patchwork of like organizations that deliver services and connect people — working together to make Tallahassee an attractive place to start a business, run a business or grow a business.

TAKE YOUR SECOND-STAGE BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL! To be eligible for the GrowFL program, a business must:

• Be a for-profit, privately held, investment-grade business • Have at least 10 employees, but no more than 50 • Have had its principal place of business within Florida for the previous two years • Generate at least $1 million, but not more than $25 million in annual revenue Programmatic support for GrowFL is provided in-part by:

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I NTE RNATIONAL BUSI N E SS DEVE LOPEM E NT

GOING GLOBAL

Local companies have the ability to expand their influence worldwide

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ompanies that want to expand their horizons through exporting or importing goods and services have the world at their fingertips in Tallahassee.

The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County Inc. (EDC), Enterprise Florida and the U.S. Department of Commerce are ready to help businesses interested in international trade make the connections that can bolster their bottom line.

“We provide a way for businesses in our communities to start thinking globally,” said the EDC’s Kara Palmer Smith. “We give them the tools and resources needed to do business overseas.”

The first step is helping companies decide if they are ready for foreign markets through workshops and one-on-one sessions.

“The biggest thing is education and research,” said Palmer Smith. “We can help determine whether it’s a good market for their product.”

The EDC also helps businesses and university research institutes secure grants to participate in state-led trade missions and then markets the region at international trade shows, such as the annual Farnborough International Airshow in England, the world’s largest annual aerospace trade show. A major selling point for Tallahassee: Companies like EADS/Airbus and Boeing can benefit from the vast research capabilities at Florida State University’s High Performance Materials Institute and the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion.

Several local companies have already taken the plunge into the international market. F4Tech is a leader in forest technology and natural resources management. GTO (Gates That Open) has installed hundreds of thousands of gate operators around the world. Other successful international enterprises headquartered in Tallahassee include H.B. Sherman Traps, King Arthur’s Tools, Danfoss Turbocor, Verdicorp, BEC Industries and Bing Energy Inc., the latter with its own production facility in China.

Bill Rutherford, president of Clemons, Rutherford & Associates Inc., a local architecture firm that does work across the country, dipped his company’s toe into the international market during a state-led trade mission to Brazil in 2011. He’s scheduled to go back late this fall to have more meetings.

“Brazil is booming and we are dying,” he said. “They have a thriving economy and they are looking for American companies to help them.”

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He said Brazil plans on spending big money in preparation for hosting the 2013 World Cup, 2016 Olympics and possibly the 2020 World’s Fair, with most of those dollars to be spent on infrastructure.

“We’ve worked on a hospital in Zaire and a school in Haiti, but we were asked to do those,” Rutherford said. “This is the first time we’ve actually looked for work outside the country. And we did it because of the economy.”

During the Great Recession, the only sector of the Florida economy to keep growing was international trade — and it grew by double digits.

“The theme I hear (from businesses) all the time is, ‘If it wasn’t for our international sales, we would have been dead in the water,” said Andrea Moore, regional manager for international trade development at Enterprise Florida, which coordinates training and resources with local organizations like the EDC. “More businesses are looking at export.”

Mike Higgins works with export-ready companies that have a developed product or service they want to sell overseas. He is a member of the EDC’s international advisory committee and is an international trade specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce whose district covers from Tallahassee to Mobile.

He too has seen a growing interest in international trade, “and with the way Florida is positioned, a lot of people are looking to Latin America.”

Palmer Smith said many companies feel they won’t succeed in an @EnterpriseFL overseas business — until they see that companies smaller than theirs @ExportGov are doing it.

But she adds, “We have them @Farnborough2012 take small steps instead of a deep dive to make sure this is the right @TalEDC move for them.”

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TAX I NC E NTIVE S

A STRONG ENVIRONMENT FOR JOBS AND INVESTMENT The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County (EDC) manages a suite of resources designed to foster the expansion of existing companies and attract new businesses that create high-wage jobs and invest in facilities and equipment.

Business dollars go a lot further here because there is no state personal income tax, no corporate income tax on limited partnerships and subchapter S-corporations, no state-level property tax, no property tax on business inventories and no sales and use tax on goods produced in Florida for export outside the state.

To assist economic growth, the EDC maintains an inventory of the best local, state and federal programs that support new business development and provide one-on-one navigation through state and local regulatory, permitting and incentive application processes. By helping to keep projects on schedule, from start to finish, business are able to accomplish their goals within their required time frames.

LOCAL INCENTIVES

City of Tallahassee/Leon County Targeted Business Program Offers incentives to new and existing businesses that create value-added jobs within the city and county, rewarding businesses that will diversify the economy, are suited to the local business mix and will generate revenue growth from the sales of goods and services outside the local economy. The program also seeks to reward businesses that locate in designated target areas for economic growth and development; that build environmentally sensitive projects; and that do business with other local businesses.

Funds awarded under this program would be used to reimburse 1) up to 100% of the cost of development fees and 2) a portion of the capital investment of the business project based on ad valorem taxes paid.

Community Redevelopment Agency The Tallahassee CRA, created in 1998, consists of more than 1,450 acres of residential, commer-

cial/retail and industrial land uses, all conveniently located near the heart of downtown Tallahassee. Included within the boundaries of the redevelopment area are 13 neighborhood communities; seven major commercial/retail areas; and numerous mixed-use areas. The area borders parts of Florida A & M University and Florida State University. Extensive city infrastructure, including water, sewer, electricity and gas, are available throughout the redevelopment area.

STATE INCENTIVES

Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program Available for companies that create high wage jobs in targeted high value-added industries.

Includes refunds on corporate income, sales, ad valorem, intangible personal property, insurance premium and certain other taxes. Preapproved applicants who create jobs in Florida receive tax refunds of $3,000 per net new fulltime equivalent Florida job created; $6,000 in an Enterprise Zone or Rural County. For businesses paying 150 percent of the average annual wage, add $1,000 per job; for businesses paying 200 percent of the average annual salary, add $2,000 per job. New or expanding businesses in selected targeted industries and corporate headquarters are eligible. Cap of $5 million to single qualified applicant, no more than 25 percent can be taken in one year.

High Impact Performance Incentive Grant In order to participate in the program, the project must: operate within designated highimpact portions of the following sectors — clean energy, corporate headquarters, financial services, life sciences, semiconductors and transportation equipment manufacturing; create at least 50 new full-time equivalent jobs (if a R&D facility, create at least 25 new full-time equivalent jobs) in Florida in a three-year period; and make a cumulative investment in the state of at least $50 million (if a R&D facility, make a cumulative investment of at least $25 million) 2013 B U S I N E S S O U T L O O K

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TAX I NC E NTIVE S

in a three-year period. Once recommended by Enterprise Florida and approved by the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the high impact business is awarded 50 percent of its eligible grant when operations begin and the remainder when full employment and capital investment goals are met.

Quick Response Training Program Designed as an inducement to secure new valueadded businesses to Florida as well as provide existing businesses the necessary training for expansion. The program is flexible and structured to respond quickly to meet training objectives. Reimbursable expenses include curriculum development, trainers’ wages, textbooks/manuals.

Workforce Florida, Inc., the state’s public-private partnership created to coordinate job-training efforts, administers the program.

Incumbent Worker Training Program Leon County Enterprise Zone #3701

Provides training to currently employed workers to keep Florida’s workforce competitive in a global economy and to retain existing businesses.

Administered by Workforce Florida, the program

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is available to all Florida businesses that have been in operation for at least one year prior to application.

Enterprise Zone The Tallahassee/Leon County Enterprise Zone is nearly 20 square miles in size. New businesses that want to locate there, or existing businesses that want to expand jobs, equipment or square feet, can earn a monthly credit against their state corporate or sales and use tax for wages paid to new employees.

Also available: a sales tax refund on equipment, machinery and building materials used in the enterprise zone; a corporate tax credit for a company that establishes five or more new jobs; property tax exemption for child care facilities; tax credits for businesses that donate to approved community development projects.

Economic Development Transportation Fund (Road Fund)

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Designed to alleviate transportation problems that hinder a specific company’s location or expansion decision. The award, up to $3 million, is made to the local government.

Urban Job Tax Credit Program The program provides tax credits to eligible businesses that are located within the 13 Urban Areas designated by the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity and hire a specific number of employees. In the Tallahassee Urban Area, the credit is $1,000 per qualified job and can be taken against either the Florida Corporate Income Tax or the Florida Sales and Use Tax, but not both.

FL Small Business Credit Initiative Through loan participation, loan guarantees and venture capital via the Florida Opportunity Fund, Florida’s Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) will leverage private capital for Florida’s small businesses, which are defined as businesses with 500 employees or less. After five years, Florida must show that, taken together, $10 in new small business lending or investment was generated by every $1 in SSBCI funding. Therefore, Florida’s SSBCI Program is anticipated to generate at least $976,623,490 in new private capital for Florida’s small businesses.

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Rural Incentives Florida encourages growth throughout offering increased incentive awards and lower wage qualification thresholds in its rural counties. Additionally, a Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund and Rural Infrastructure Fund exist to meet the special needs that businesses encounter in rural counties.

For more a more comprehensive listing of tax incentives, please visit taledc.com.

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H E ALTHCARE

THE PULSE OF HEALTHCARE

You’re in the right place for cutting-edge technology and service

Tallahassee Community College’s Ghazvini Center will double its enrollment capacity in healthcare programs over the next five years to serve the area’s two hospitals and expanding VA Clinic.

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allahassee is a regional epicenter of medical know-how, education, service, technology and insurance.

This industry employs more than 20,000 of the region’s workforce of 190,800. The area’s expanding health care options include two major hospitals, cancer and birthing centers, surgical and urgent care facilities and a quality of care that consistently wins national recognitions.

The towering hospitals of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare and Capital Regional Medical Center are the most visible symbols of a healthcare system that, while based locally, serves much of the fourcounty region around the capital city, provides jobs for many and saves lives.

The executives of both hospitals speak about their facilities’ accomplishments with more than just a touch of pride.

“We’re the regional safety net and serve the needs (of patients) between Jacksonville, Pensacola and Macon, so we do a lot of things most other organizations don’t do,” said Mark O’Bryant, president and CEO of Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare.

“We pride ourselves on the quality care delivered here at CRMC. At the end of the day I want to be known for the quality care we deliver, and through these recognitions the ‘proof is in the pudding,’” said Brian Cook, president and CEO of Capital Regional Medical Center.

Both healthcare institutions are making great strides in providing more efficient, cutting-edge healthcare.

TMH recently opened a state-of-theart neurovascular suite dedicated to diagnosing and treating complex neurological disorders such as ruptured aneurysms and severe strokes. Also recently introduced are new minimally invasive surgical procedures for heart valve replacements, which can now be done via small incisions in the groin as opposed to open heart surgery.

“We are one of the few places in the South doing this,” O’Bryant said.

TMH also opened up a cancer center in partnership with the University of Florida and Shands that has some of the best cancer-fighting technology in the nation, he said, explaining the importance of patients not having to leave home to seek treatment.

“There were a strong number of people leaving here to get cancer care, and over

the past two or three years we have made significant investment in upgrading the technology and clinical skillsets around cancer services,” O’Bryant said.

TMH is also building a freestanding emergency center near Interstate 10 and Thomasville Road. This facility will be a full-service general ER for all patients and will include specialized care for pediatric and geriatric patients. Meanwhile, severe trauma cases will still be sent to the ER on the main TMH campus.

Meanwhile, CRMC is reaching for the sky – literally. Two new floors are being built and are slated to open in January 2013. The seventh floor will be a shell for future expansion, and the eighth floor is for 44 medical telemetry beds, bringing the total number of beds at the hospital to 242.

“The total project cost is just over​ $15 million and 100 new jobs will be created,” Cook said. “That’s a sign of HCA’s investment in the Tallahassee community and meeting the needs of the community. Bringing those 44 new beds online is our current project and we desperately need those. We are running at capacity year-round right now. We’ve had a tremendous growth rate the last three to five years at CRMC.” Cook also said that Capital Regional is one of only 620 hospitals in the United States to be named one of the nation’s Top Performers on key quality measures

by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America.

Local hospitals aren’t the only ones on the move in Tallahassee. Construction of a massive veterans outpatient clinic is slated to begin sometime in 2013 at the corner of Blair Stone Road and Orange Avenue. With a building footprint of 200,000 square feet, the new clinic will be much larger than its predecessor located on Mahan Drive.

“The residual effect is going to be very positive in terms of other commercial development,” said Jay Townsend, assistant city manager for Transportation & Development Services. “I think the plan is there will be lots of supporting uses to this clinic so you’ll see some restaurants, hotels … it’ll be a regional draw. It could pull in vets from South Georgia.”

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H E ALTHCARE

The TCC Ghazvini Center is equipped with cutting-edge technology, allowing students to strengthen and apply their skills in simulated real-time settings.

Preventing Illness Of course, nobody wants to be sick to begin with or spend time in a hospital or pay the high costs of all of the above.

That’s why health insurance providers like Capital Health Plan and Florida Blue place emphasis on the prevention of illnesses such as hypertension and high blood pressure, which lead to stroke and heart attack.

“The CDC just came out with a report that says public health enemy No. 2, right behind cigarettes, is the challenge we have in our country identifying within our population adults with high blood pressure and, beyond that, controlling high blood pressure,” said CHP’s CEO John Hogan, captain of one of the top-ranked insurance providers in Florida. “The ballpark estimate is that 30 percent of the adult population in the U.S. has high blood pressure. Generally, only about 50 percent of the folks 22

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who have it, have it under control via diet, exercise, medication if necessary so it doesn’t get to a point where it’s dangerous. One of our priorities within the health plan is to control high blood pressure. We want CHP members to, ultimately, have the best blood pressure control of any region in the country.”

Keeping close watch on blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels is something that Florida Blue (formerly known as Blue Cross Blue Shield) has taken a keen interest in as well, and has incorporated into the operations of its new retail sales center on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee.

Nurses are on staff to serve as community resources for Florida Blue members navigating healthcare issues, according to Center Director John Padgett.

“What they do is provide information on access to care providers, cost and quality and how to save money on prescriptions.

Then our sales staff have a ‘health plan

checkup’ where they look at your plan to make sure it’s the best fit for you,” he said.

What makes the new retail center special, Padgett said, is the health screening fairs that are held the second Saturday of the month. These are open to anybody regardless of insurance or carrier. Nurses are on hand to check blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar levels, measure height and weight and to help people put together their own health and wellness plan.

“Our mission is to help people in the community achieve better health,” he said. “It’s personal support in a friendly, face-to-face environment.”

@CapitalRegional @FloridaBlue @TMHForLife

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TRANSPORTATION

AIR POWER RESURGENCE

At the intersection of commerce and travel sits the Tallahassee Regional Airport, which could become a major economic player in the near future.

TLH has enhanced the passenger experience from the moment you enter the airport until you board your flight resulting in lower fares to more locations.

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In his first year at the helm he can point to an impressive list of accomplishments, among them:

T

allahassee Regional Airport is changing — and may wind up becoming a powerful economic driver in its own right.

To Aviation Director Sunil Harman, the airport he’s been running for a year and half is more than just a place for business travel. It’s more than just a means to an end. It’s a place that has tremendous commercial potential.

In fact, August 2012 was up 10.2 percent over August 2011. And, in October, high demand brought an extra direct flight to Washington, D.C., and another to Miami. In 2013, lower costs are expected to make the airport more attractive to airlines and there are hopes of adding three new cities, possibly West Palm Beach, Orlando and New York’s La Guardia or Houston.

The momentum is already there from the airline side. In 2012 they received a 10 percent reduction, in 2013 they are getting another 10 percent reduction — and in 2014 they are slated to get a 20 percent reduction. At that point, Tallahassee is expected to be in the middle of the pack of Florida’s 23 commercial airports in terms of cost structure.

Harman said the rate reductions should make the airlines more inclined to provide competitive fares, but that’s already happening.

“Airlines have offered sales that are precipitously lower; I’m talking 60 percent off,” he said. “We’ve been advertising sales by American and Delta to Miami and Atlanta, $160 round-trip, all-inclusive. Those are run every week as specials with short booking timeframes. I personally did a trip to Honolulu for $630 round-trip. So I know that we have an airport that is very competitive today in terms of fares.”

Analyzing the Situation Keeping costs low, exploring new markets and promoting economic development are all part and parcel to the airport’s success.

When Harman was hired back in May 2011, he set about making improvements in the airport’s maintenance, operations and capital projects with the goal of eliminating and reducing excess expense and cost. He also increased revenue from airport tenants. The combination made the cost of doing business here much more palatable to the airlines.

“We were able to commit to the airlines and say this year, ‘You will receive a reduction, a rollback in (cost per enplaning passengers) rates back to fiscal year 2010 or calendar year 2009 levels,’” he said, a goal which yielded a 10 percent cost decrease.

Another competitive step: becoming an international port of entry, a designation that could open up a world of larger

OPERATIONAL COSTS HAVE BEEN CUT BY

2.2% NON-AERONAUTICAL REVENUES HAVE INCREASED BY

5.1%

DAILY FLIGHTS HAVE INCREASED

52%, 46 70 FROM

TO

THE NUMBER OF CITIES SERVED WENT FROM

5 7 TO

DEPARTING AIRLINE SEATS HAVE INCREASED

14%

FARES WERE REDUCED BY

23%

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TRANSPORTATION

markets and business ideas.

“We have to look at the surrounding areas and ask, what does Tallahassee offer other than the business travel?”

Harman said. “Couldn’t Tallahassee be, for example, the gateway to the pristine Gulf Coast? Couldn’t we target a different audience that wants pristine beaches, but not necessarily the whole resort-type experience and enjoy nature the way it was intended? There is a huge market for this. We could market this in Europe. But in order to do that, we’d have to become an international port of entry.

So we are pursuing this international port of entry designation.”

non-aeronautical business ventures could be cultivated as well.

A resort-style water park, a solar farm, a consolidated car rental service, cargo container station, auto dealerships, a

high security storage vault center — are all ideas that have been tossed around.

There’s even enough room in and around the airport property for things like a paintball range, drag strip or motocross

Business Opportunities Await Airports with good management can become much more than just facilitators of essential air travel. In certain cases a city airport can become an economic engine in its own right. The city is studying how revenue opportunities within the airport footprint could be maximized and how

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Extended runways and a master plan for 1200 acres of developable land are attractive to aeronautical and non-aeronautical companies alike.

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track. But what eventually gets developed will depend on what the market will bear, and what is compatible with the airport.

Danny Langston, CEO of Flightline Group, agrees with the airport leadership’s economic vision.

“There are often strong, forward thinking airports at the heart of healthy, vibrant communities, and Tallahassee is an excellent example of this. Working together, business leaders, airport management and community officials have successfully brought a broad scope of high-tech businesses to the airport,” Langston said. “While these businesses might not be directly related to aviation, they do bring high-paying jobs and investment to the community and have fostered continual and long-term growth.”

At the Tallahassee Regional Airport, for example, there is a wide array of government and civilian businesses such as the Department of Interior, Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission, Tallahassee Helicopters, Flightline Technical Services, SouthEast Piper, Piper Parts Plus, HondaJet Southeast, Florida Aviation Center, Flightline Technical Services and High-Performance Magnetics.

“All provide goods and services for Florida, the southeastern U.S. and across the globe,” Langston said.

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There are approximately 271 miles of major highways and 343 miles of secondary roads throughout the Tallahassee-Leon County area, and these serve as important ground transportation corridors within the central Panhandle. From a business perspective, Interstate 10 is a major highway with easy access from several points in Tallahassee. Pensacola and Jacksonville are just a three-hour trip in either direction, and Interstate 75 is about 90 minutes away. The other important roads of commerce are U.S. Highway 90, U.S. Highway 27, State Road 267 and U.S. Highway 319. U.S Highway 231, an important north-south route between Panama City and Montgomery, Ala., is little over an hour west of Tallahassee.

Railroads provide another important link in the commercial transport business. CSX Transportation has a main rail line that runs @Airbus east and west through Gadsden, Jefferson and Leon counties and @BingEnergyIntl carries bulky freight such as non@Boeing metallic minerals, chemicals and coal. Several short-line carriers @CSX connect CSX at strategic north@EnterpriseFL south points such as Panama City @F4Tech and Perry. Rail shipments serve many distribution nodes, ware@HondaJets houses and shipyards throughout @iFlyTallahassee the region, including Port Panama @KingArthurTools City — a major shipping hub that is Florida’s link to markets @LivelyTech throughout Latin America.

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I N DUSTRY SEC TOR ROUN DTAB L E S

BUSINESSES BANDING TOGETHER TO BUILD A STRONGER ECONOMY T

he Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County provides business resources for targeted industry sectors that match the region’s strengths, goals and assets as well as provide for a diversified and sustainable regional economy.

The industries are emphasized because of their opportunity for growth, creation of quality jobs above the average wage, role in regional development and connections to workforce-development resources.

Area manufacturers like Danfoss Turbocor Through Industry Roundtables, Compressors develop strategic partnerships leaders in industry, education and with higher ed and advocacy groups through the EDC Industry Roundtables. government design and implement specific initiatives that promote high-wage job retention and expansion. Each sector collaborates with local and state organizations care providers, including the two hospitals, already form one of that provide technical assistance and public advocacy. the largest segments of private employers in the area. Several cutting edge facilities and treatment centers have recently Capital Region Manufacturing opened up across the region.

Chair — Chris Eldred, President, TeligentEMS Companies have been formed and are being nurtured through This industry-led group strives to highlight workforce needs, the EDC’s Entrepreneurial Excellence and GrowFL programs, best practices, regulatory and business changes in the manuincluding Prevacus, BioFront Technologies and Nuekie. facturing arena. There are opportunities for collaboration to promote business creation as well as expansion and growth in Information Technology jobs in the Capital area. Among key issues being addressed: Chair — Dave Overholt, regional manager, Carousel Industries workforce development, workforce training grants and tax Representing one of Tallahassee’s foundational sectors, this credits for research and development in manufacturing. group focuses on education and business development. One of its big initiatives is an education summit where students Health Sciences & Human who need IT internships are matched with local businesses that Performance Enhancement can use the help. Another is the annual tech expo, which highChair — Col. Mike Smith (retired), lights the work of local IT firms, from computer companies to FSU College of Medicine, director of the networking and voice recognition firms. Industry leaders work Center for Strategic Public Health Preparedness side by side with researchers and investors to attract and nurture With Tallahassee already a health care hub for North Florida technology-based businesses. and South Georgia — bolstered by Florida State University’s College of Medicine and Florida A & M University’s College Renewable Energy & The Environment of Pharmacy — this sector is seen as a major growth opportuChair — Nancy Paul, general manager, Marpan Recycling nity for the region, particularly in biomedical research. Health This sector has blossomed in large part through partnerships 2013 B U S I N E S S O U T L O O K

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that businesses have developed with university-based research institutes. The region is committed to protecting the environment through the use of clean and renewable energy. Among the local success stories: Danfoss Turbocor (oil free compressors for large scale air-conditioning systems); Bing Energy (developing a less expensive hydrogen fuel cell): Verdicorp (turning waste heat into electricity); SunnyLand Solar (making high efficiency solar tubes); and Marpan Recycling.

Aviation, Aerospace & Defense

Chair — Domenick Eanniello, general manager, Million Air Tallahassee With Tallahassee already a hub of aviation, aerospace and defense industries, this group is working to bring similar companies to the region. Its efforts have been boosted by an expansion of the regional airport, runway extensions, a push for an international designation and lots of developable land around the airport. Among the aviation and defense leaders here: Flightline Group, a regional dealer for Piper and HondaJet; Chemring Ordinance; General Dynamics Land Systems; TeligentEMS; and Datamaxx Group. Research and training institutes that contribute to local innovations include the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, the High-Performance Materials Institute, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Lively Airframe and Powerplant program.

Transportation & Logistics

Chair — Mark T. Llewellyn, P.E., president, Genesis Group The strategic location of the Tallahassee region, along with easy access to interstates, railroads, ports and airports, is a major selling point for economic development. The roundtable has engaged landowners, developers, city and county engineers and planners, economic development professionals, transportation system designers and logistics companies to review available resources and anticipate expanded demands for infrastructure.

Research & Engineering Services

Chair — Ron Miller, interim director, Leon County Research and Development Authority University-based research at Florida State University and Florida A&M University has been a major economic driver in the region.

Over $250 million dollars a year from the US Department of Defense, National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, to name a few, fuel a sector that employs approximately 2300 full time and 1600 part time employees, many of whom work in Innovation Park, a 208 acre R&D park managed by the Leon @FSUCoM County Research & Development @Genesis_Group Authority. Tallahasseeans are @Innovation_Park generating solutions for global commerce in aerospace, arts, @TalTech energy and life sciences.

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E DUCATE D WORK FORC E

A TALENTED LOCAL WORKFORCE IS TRAINED AND READY B

usinesses looking to relocate to the Tallahassee area get access to one of the most talented workforces available — a direct result of the region’s educational offerings, from topnotch public schools through top tier higher education programs.

Nearly three out of every four residents have some college education — and 20 percent of the population has a graduate degree. Leon County’s public school system consistently earns an “A” rating from the state for school and student performance — and in 2012, 50 percent of the schools were rated “A.” The area is also home to two state universities and one of Florida’s largest community colleges, plus there is access to private institutions of higher learning, like Keiser University and ITT Technical Institute.

Local educators agree that companies looking to move into an area will most likely put the quality of the local educational environment at the top of their list. At the college and university level, schools see themselves as a partner to business — and they often become part of the conversation when prospective new companies are brought into town.

“We provide the human capital for companies that need quality, educated students,” said Caryn Beck-Dudley, dean of the College of Business at Florida State University. “We’re unusual in that we have two universities, rather than one, and a large community college that offers technical degrees and certification programs — all in a smaller town.”

FSU is a top-tier research university that has prompted several research-toindustry spinoffs and Florida A&M University is a premier school among historically black colleges and universities. Both have nationally recognized business schools

that graduate savvy entrepreneurs and the two jointly operate a College of Engineering that has been hailed for its initiative in creating programs that align the academic curriculum with industry needs.

“There is a good process whereby good companies can find the expertise they need,” said Braketta Ritzenthaler, assistant dean of industry and research at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

“We’re not doing research to do research.

We’re doing research to develop jobs for the citizens of Florida. We feel we’re a good draw for companies to come here.”

Not only do local schools graduate talent, they put an emphasis on research that can be commercialized, encourage entrepreneurship within student ranks, collaborate with new businesses to design education programs for their individual workforces and offer consulting services provided by talented faculty.

Targeting Industries The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County supports targeted industry sectors that match the region’s strengths, goals and assets and help ensure the local economy is diversified and sustainable while providing quality, high wage jobs. Those sectors include: aviation, aerospace, defense and national security; engineering and research; health sciences and human performance enhancement; information technology; renewable energy and the environment; and transportation and logistics.

Many programs in the region have been designed to complement those targeted sectors.

“We have pretty robust educational offerings between the universities, the college and the private schools. It creates an environment where innovation is valued, where young people will

Students gain hands-on experience in STEM fields from nine higher education providers.

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E DUCATE D WORK FORC E

want to come,” said Jim Murdaugh, president of Tallahassee Community College.

A prime example of the synergy between the schools is the partnership that TCC has with the engineering programs at FSU and FAMU. Explained Murdaugh, “They produce the engineers, we produce the technicians. So there is an ability to provide a complete workforce.”

TCC’s Center for Workforce Development offers training in fields where workers are most in demand, including information technology, allied health, manufacturing and business, as well as construction and trades. And the school’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center provides customized and technologically advanced training for workers in businesses that are already here and is considered a significant resource for attracting new manufacturing businesses to the region with its ability to provide quick response training.

“We have developed curriculum to meet the needs of companies like Danfoss Turbocor and we can customize for companies looking to relocate here,” Murdaugh added.

TCC, FSU and FAMU have zeroed in on the growing health care field, expanding their offerings in health care sciences.

TCC operates the Ghazvini Center for Health Care Education in the heart of the city’s burgeoning health care corridor, close to both major hospitals and the Red Hills Surgical Center, where students train on cutting edge technology

Tallahassee universities receive over $250 million in research dollars annually.

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that allows them to respond to emergencies in simulated real life settings.

Keiser University enlists the aid of business leaders across the state to provide feedback on what they are looking for when hiring graduates. That helps in developing programs and curriculum. It opened a graduate program on its Tallahassee campus in 2011 and so far the most popular degree is the Masters in Business Administration, which takes about 14 months to complete.

“We serve adult learners, who usually have other obligations than school. So our university is designed around the student; the programs are designed to be convenient for students,” said Kelli Lane, associate vice chancellor of media and public relations.

As the economy improves she said the school anticipates moving toward specialized contract training programs that will be based on needs in the community.

president for research and economic development and executive director of IP Development and Commercialization. “These startups are a way to create jobs locally. Universities can help companies grow. And we want to begin to more proactively market our research.”

FSU’s annual “Sneak Peek” gives faculty and students, including those from the jointly run engineering school, a chance to showcase business and technology initiatives to local business leaders.

“We’re heavily involved in that because it’s a good experience for our students, who need to develop a business and marketing plan,” said Ritzenthaler. “We’re striving to get our students to know what entrepreneurship is, so that they’re not just doing research in a vacuum.”

Prizing Entrepreneurship Research that comes from the universities can lead to commercial success. FSU researchers developed the cancer-battling drug Taxol.

Bing Energy located its international headquarters in Tallahassee because of the nanotechnology breakthrough by FSU Professor Jim Zheng that will lead to better and cheaper fuel cell production.

“Thirty six startups have come out of FSU work in the past 16 years. The first was Taxolog,” said John Fraser, FSU assistant vice

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QUAL IT Y OF L I F E

TALLAHASSEE HAS IT ALL

Our vibrant community has endless offerings for work and play

T

allahassee is a good place to do business and a great place to live.

This is a vibrant town where history comes alive, culture abounds and there is a strong sense of place. To top it off, there is no rush hour — it’s more like 15 or 20 minutes.

For businesses and residents, the area boasts the best of all worlds. It has been selected as one of the Top 25 best midsized cities in the country for job growth and named as one of the Top 100 leading locations by Area Development Magazine. In 2011, it won the Livability Award from the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

To underscore the region’s all-around appeal, Tallahassee has also been named one of the 10 best cities for Millenials, one of the top college destinations and a favored choice for retiring Baby Boomers.

Although the Capital City isn’t directly on the coast, it’s not in Kansas either. It’s about a 45 minute drive from some of the best beaches in the world on St. George Island and St. Theresa, and even closer to St. Marks. Pristine rivers and national forests surround much of the area, and canopy roads — where the Spanish mossladen branches of live oak trees that line both sides of the road meet overhead — head out from the center of town in all directions.

The Great Florida Birding Trail runs through town. There are two state universities and a large community college, plus several private university options for continuing education. There’s a symphony alongside year-round theater, opera and dance performances and a growing arts community.

There are also plenty of affordable real estate options for business and residential, ranging from the high rises of down36

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town to a variety of suburbs to the equestrian estates in outlying areas.

“There are quality properties at reasonable prices,” says Ed Murray of NAI Talcor, who adds that interest in the area has been picking up because “we’re not a small town anymore.” For businesses looking to relocate, “there are great commercial sites to build on, office buildings to purchase, some good retail spots.”

What’s becoming particularly attractive, especially to young professionals, is the local focus on developing smaller communities within the larger community, places where people can live, play and shop within walking distance.

“One of the things people and companies look for is a true quality of life,” says Will Butler, president of Real Estate InSync. “We’ve always had suburban and rural, but historically we have not had a real urban location. Now, in a place like Midtown you’re seeing urbanization in its purest form take shape.”

These are the types of communities that economic development leaders believe will lure in the younger workers and recent college graduates needed to bolster the local workforce — another important element in a company’s decision to relocate here.

Wayne Tedder, director of the Tallahassee/Leon County Planning Department, has been working within the community for years to bring businesses and surrounding neighborhoods together. A more formal program, called “Sense of Place Initiatives,” has been in operation for two years.

“We ask them, ‘What is it you need?’

And in some cases, the neighborhoods tell us they can’t walk to the commercial

areas simply because there are no sidewalks,” Tedder says. The money to fund the projects comes from local governments, including the $1 million the city spent on the Fifth Avenue Plaza beautification project in Midtown.

Midtown is an example of a distinct neighborhood that has combined business — including entertainment. shopping and dining venues – with nearby quaint residential areas. Making news on the retail front: A Whole Foods store is expected to open in summer 2013.

“Whole Foods is a trendsetter. It leads,” says Butler. “When they hit here, other retailers will look.”

Besides Midtown, there is a vibrant Downtown, where the state Capitol sits.

The area offers popular eateries, rose gardens, fountains, high-rise condominiums and state museums. Adjacent to Florida State University is CollegeTown, still in its development stage, which will offer retail, dining and entertainment options along with apartments. Nearby Gaines Street is undergoing beautification to make it a more attractive shopping and dining destination.

Southwood is a planned community with a developing commercial area that

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@COCAbuzz @COTNews @EmbryRiddle @FAMU_1887 @FlaglerCollege @FloridaState @GainesStreet @GoToTCC is built on land that once grew timber for The St. Joe Company. Market Square to the north of town sports an eclectic mix of retail and dining establishments near residential neighborhoods.

“We’ve had a brain drain in this community. By creating these districts, we’re capturing the vibrancy that will help us retain these bright minds,” Butler says.

“We have much more clarity of vision, probably because of the recession. We have more stakeholders holding hands and pulling together than ever before.”

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FAC TS + F IGURE S

Community Rankings

Population, 2011 Tallahassee/ Leon County — 277,971 Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson and Wakulla Counties — 369,758 Population Increase 2000 to 2010 — 15% 2010 to 2011 — 0.099%

#10 College Destination, Small Metro 2012

Income Median Household income — $44,490 Education Level, Leon County, 2010 Graduate or Professional Degree Bachelor’s Degree Associate’s Degree Some college, no degree High school diploma or equivalent Less than high school diploma

18.76% 26% 9.14% 18.9% 18.86% 8.32%

AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC RESEARCH

10 Best Cities for Millennials HUFFINGTON POST 2012

2011 High School Graduation Rate 84.8% Educational Institutions Barry University — Bachelors, Masters Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University — Associates, Bachelors, Masters Flagler College — Bachelors Florida A & M University — Bachelors (11,289 Undergraduate Enrollment), Masters, Professional, Doctorate Florida State University — Bachelors (31,418, Undergraduate enrollment), Masters, Professional, Doctorate ITT Technical Institute — Associates, Bachelors Keiser University — Associates, Bachelors, Masters Lively Technical College — Associates Tallahassee Community College (Enrollment, Approximately 14,000) Associates, Certificate Programs Labor Force, 2011 Leon County — 190,800 (Cite: FRED Data) Unemployment Rate (October 2012) Tallahassee MSA – 6.6% Leon County – 6.4% Gadsden County – 8.7% Jefferson County – 8.0% Wakulla County – 5.9%

America’s Leading Creative Class THE ATLANTIC MEDIA COMPANY

Best Choice for Retiring Boomers WASHINGTON ECONOMIC GROUP, INC. 2011

International Innovation Leader INNOVATION CITY, 2011

(Cite: Department of Economic Opportunity, Labor Market Statistics Center)

National 2011 Livability Award LIVCOM AWARDS, 2011

Housing

Best Midsized Cities for Job Growth

Tallahassee Avg. Residential Sale Prices (January-September 2012) Detached Family Home — $198,000 TLH/Condo — $88,600

(Top 25)

NEWGEOGRAPHY, 2011

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