!DOCTYPE html> Cape Coral Economic Development Strategic Plan - Task 11 Report

Cape Coral Economic Development Strategic Plan

Task 11 Report

Implementation Plan

VISION

A city evolving from its suburban roots into a new urban paradigm as a self-sustaining network that promotes economic vitality togehter with lifetstyle and cultural excellence


MISSION

Provide the strategic recommendations necessary to ensure that economic growth keeps pace with population growth.


11.a Target Industries and Existing Employment Base

We are beginning the synthesis of key data points from report for infographics summaries. More to follow...

11.b Assessment of Business Startups

We are comparing Business Tax Receipts records from 2021 through 2024 to identify start-ups. More to follow...

11.c Adequacy of Training Programs

We are summarizing the training gaps identified in the Workforce analysis task. More to follow...

11.d Growth Plans for Higher Education

We are preparing narratives of interviewed conducted with FGCU and FSW with focus on entrepreneurial studies. More to follow...

11.e Mixed-Use, Downtown, Green Building, Incubators, & Other Programs

We are extracting incentives proposals and other recommendations from relevant tasks research. More to follow...

11.f New Business or Industrial Park Development

We are summarizing commercial space demand the proposed Cape Coral Corporate Park and Cape Coral Executive Airport Park based on job creation expectations developed during the Targeted Industry section. Additioanlly, we are preparing drive time maps and tables for travel time delivery from I-75 interchanges at Punta Gorda and Fort Myers as basis for distibrution facilities recommendations. More to follow...

11.g Potential for Convention and Tourism Promotion

After questioning many of the interviewees about the potential for convention business for Cape Coral and determining that the cost of building a respectable and competitive convention center would not provide a good return on investment, we have reached the following conclusion that is set forth on page 10 of the tourism report in the SWOT analysis in item #11 under WEAKNESSES / CHALLENGES relating to Tourism Attractions / Infrastructure / Visitor Experience.

11. Insufficient large businesses, not enough hotel rooms, and competitive convention operation in Ft. Myers makes it impractical to prioritize convention / business tourism.

Since the Westin does have facilities for business meetings, the best use of Cape Coral's resources would be to meet with the Westin Manager and determine how the city could best help the Westin maximize the use of its business related facilities.

If the proposed Cape Coral Center were to be developed as a downtown civic center, its potential use for public meetings, graduations, sporting events, and arts/cultural activities would be more relevant to the residents than tourists. Although it could be useful as an indoor venue for concerts and other events that have the potential to attract tourists. However, a multi-use civic center differs from a convention center. To be competitive a convention center needs a large space or series of spaces that can easily be adjusted. It also requires delivery docks, storage areas, and other logistcal amenities that a smaller venue will lack.

We are currently examining the relationship of tourism and targeted industry promotion. More to follow...

11.h Potential Funding Sources

No work activity yet performed.

11.i 10-Year Strategic Initiatives Action Plans


Framework 1: Evolution & Change

Goal 1.a: Public Outreach Method to Discuss Innovative Approaches to Land Use
    • Initiative 1.a.1: Public Visioning Sessions for Cape Coral’s Growth
    • Initiative 1.a.2: Committee of the Whole Public Access Website
    • Initiative 1.a.3: Citizen Advisory Committee for Public Input on Major Projects
    • Initiative 1.a.4: Benefit/Cost Analysis for Future Projects
Goal 1.b: Develop a Branding Identity for Cape Coral
    • Initiative 1.b.1: Compelling Narrative and Tagline About Cape Coral
    • Initiative 1.b.2: “Call to Arts” Program
    • Initiative 1.b.3: Events that Celebrate Both Big City and Small-Town Living

Framework 2: A New Urban Model

Goal 2.a: Cape Coral as A Network of Interconnected Neighborhoods
    • Initiative 2.a.1: Cape Coral’s IT Infrastructure Promotion
    • Initiative 2.a.2: On Demand Water Mobility Transportation System
    • Initiative 2.a.3: 4-Quadrants Commission on Neighborhood Identity and Wayfinding
Goal 2.b: Promote Policies that Focus on Infill Development and Waterfront
    • Initiative 2.b.1: Opportunity Mulitplex Program
    • Initiative 2.b.2: Cape Coral Land Bank
    • Initiative 2.b.2: Strategic Site Assemblage Tax Credit
Goal 2.c: Propose Signature Developments that will Generate Identity for the City
    • Initiative 2.c.1: Cape Coral Executive Airport
    • Initiative 2.c.2: Cape Coral Corporate Park
    • Initiative 2.c.3: Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District

Framework 3: Sustainability & Resilience

Goal 3.a: Evaluate Resiliency Solutions for Impacts by Major Weather Events
    • Initiative 3.a.1: Low Impact Storm Water Infrastructure Program
    • Initiative 3.a.2: Cape Coral FloodWatch Program
    • Initiative 3.a.3: Cape Blue Incentive
Goal 3.b Educate the Public on Practical Environmental Sustainability Programs
    • Initiative 3.b.1:  Cape Coral Eco-Newsletter and Blog
    • Initiative 3.b.2:  Solar Community Cooperative Task Force

Framework 4: Economic Vitality

Goal 4.a: Expand the Role of the Office of Economic & Business Development
    • Initiative 4.a.1: OEBD Elevation to Full Department Status
    • Initiative 4.a.2: Independent Economic Development Website
    • Initiative 4.a.3: Economic Impact Analyses for All Capital Expense Projects
    • Initiative 4.a.4: Accredited Economic Development Organization Status
    • Initiative 4.a.5: One-Stop-Shop for Business Development
Goal 4.b: Support Existing Business Retention & Expansion
    • Initiative 4.b.1: Streamline the Permitting Process
    • Initiative 4.b.2: Cape Coral Executive Corpst
    • Initiative 4.b.3: Vocational Training Silos for the Trades
Goal 4.c: Promote New Targeted Industries and Clusters
    • Initiative 4.c.1: Establish Working Group for Each Target Industry Cluster
    • Initiative 4.c.2: Targeted Industry Job Creation Grant
    • Initiative 4.c.3: Target Industry Prospectuses
    • Initiative 4.c.4: Industry Familiarization Tours
Goal 4.d: Engage Higher Education in Workforce Development
    • Initiative 4.d.1: Expansion of Online Learning Opportunities
    • Initiative 4.d.2: Cape Coral Startup Support Center/li>

Framework 5: Lifestyle & Cultural Excellence

Goal 5.a: Attract the Interest of Major Retailers and Hospitality Vendors
    • Initiative 5.a.1: Pop-Up Retail Fairs
    • Initiative 5.a.2: Consumer Spending Potential Reports
Goal 5.b: Recognizing the Importance of Tourism to the Overall Economy
    • Initiative 5.b.1: Increase Activity and Access to Cape Coral’s Waterfront
    • Initiative 5.b.2: Promote Experiential Tourism Product by Expanding Outdoor Activities
    • Initiative 5.b.3: Explore Opportunities to Work with Short-Term Rental Providers
    • Initiative 5.b.4: Further Develop the Already Existing Family Activity Cluster
    • Initiative 5.b.5: Further Develop Youth, Adult & Scholastic Sports Facilities
    • Initiative 5.b.6: Enhance & Develop New Visitor-Focused Events
    • Initiative 5.b.7: Support More Unique Local Dining Options & Enhanced Evening Activities
    • Initiative 5.b.8: Encourage Cross-Promotion and Joint Packaging Among Related Attraction
    • Initiative 5.b.9: Energize & Educate Locals About Tourism In Cape Coral
    • Initiative 5.b.10: Consider a Co-Op Marketing Approach with Certain Attractions
    • Initiative 5.b.11: Tourism Leadership & Collaboration / Partnerships
    • Initiative 5.b.12: Engage Higher Education Institutions as a Catalyst
    • Initiative 5.b.13: Designate an Individual to be Responsible for Tourism

11.j Implementation and Budget Schedules

Implementation Scehedules

Critical Action Iems Timeline chart

Critical Action Iems Timeline - Non Immediete chart

Implementation Budgets

Critical Action Iems Budget chart Non-Immediate Action Iems Budget chart

11.k Task 11 Progress Report/video conference

No work activity yet performed.