Foster Economic Growth

Goal: Create innovative and effective partnerships to support the development, expansion and attraction of primary target industries

Strategies:
• Create, attract and retain primary target industries
• Set annual goals for increased square footage, capital investment and jobs

Objective A: Emerging technology-based industries

1. Work with colleges and universities within Florida High Tech Corridor to accelerate technology spinoffs
2. Identify sources of early stage capital (e.g. Venture, Angel, Revolving Loan Funds)
3. Perform incubator assessment and feasibility study
4. Strengthen and expand relationships with existing and targeted industries

Objective B: Entrepreneur Success 

1. Provide professional resources to assist emerging companies
2. Identify and work with expert resources to address specific needs of the entrepreneur community
3. Identify properties/areas suitable for developing/sustaining entrepreneurial activities (e.g. walkable downtown areas, Dade City Business Center, others)
4. Provide a full scope of services to business start-ups and businesses graduating through stages of growth
5. Enlist PEDC investors to assist business activities, including:  accountants, attorneys, financial, marketing and other professional services
6. Create a one-stop shop for entrepreneur activity, including business workshops

Objective C: Financing Options

1. Assist emerging industries with locally controlled financing options
2. Provide expert guidance regarding all forms of financing (Conventional, SBA)
3. Develop Revolving Loan Funds for businesses seeking working capital and gap financing

Objective D: Business Development and Retention

1. Evaluate the need for Target Industry Cluster program for: Bio-Technology, Aerospace, Aviation and Medical Technologies Research and Development Institutes and Financial Services
2. Participate  in trade and consultant missions and other appropriate business development marketing activity. 
3. Execute existing and target industry based retention/expansion strategies 
4. Identify merging clusters that compliment target industries
5. Implement a supplier focused business attraction strategy 
6. Implement national marketing program
7. Create international program for exporting/importing markets
8. Create fee for service project permitting team

Objective E: Partner with Regional State Economic Development Organizations 

1. Create a viable, mutually supportive partnership with other regional E.D. entities and governments toward competing to attract new businesses.
2. Participate in the appropriate state/regional organizations that network with target businesses
3. Engage PEDC leadership to participate in key regional efforts of the Tampa Bay Partnership
4. Engage in regional efforts that promote economic development initiatives

Objective F: Urban Land Institute

1. Evaluate employment opportunities along US 19 Corridor 
2. Assist medical supply companies and bio-tech research firm to cluster around hospitals
3. Identify and grow the competitive advantage of the market areas
4. Engage cluster development around existing arterials