The Tax Foundation has ranked Florida among the nation’s Top 5 States for Business. To read the full article, go here -
http://www.areadevelopment.com/StudiesResearchPapers/10-27-2010/tax-foundation-tax-climate-index49021.shtml

The Objective and Challenge:

Can Gainesville transition its current economic focus to a more competitive, knowledge-based economy for all of our citizens? How can we engage the University and other knowledge providers – public and private sector alike – to transform the way we do business, retain students and graduates, and expand the resources necessary to enhance our quality of life?

Can we overcome limitations – in both mindset and the way we measure success – by adopting new metrics?

Can we tell our story better – about our successes, assets and individual endeavors? Yes we can.  And we will.

Addressing the Challenges:

In less than six months, more than 200 individuals worked together in an unprecedented approach to create and prioritize Fundamental Actions for Implementation.

Through an initial research phase, including data analysis and defining our unique assets, rich and robust targets of opportunity were identified on which to grow a new generation of jobs and startup enterprises, and to attract the best minds and ideas to Gainesville.

In turn, we determined barriers limiting our success and agreed to collaborate on resolutions.

See complete article at: http://innovationgainesville.com/?s=global+economy

Facility breathes new life into lithium-ion battery manufacturing equipment

The Council for Economic Outreach (CEO) is pleased to welcome Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. (BES) to Alachua County.  BES will create 15 jobs with an average wage of at least $40,000.  This comes in the midst of economic uncertainty amid a continued push toward clean energy independence.

The existing facility and machinery, located at Phoenix Commercial Park on US Hwy 441, will undergo an update suitable for the company’s development and manufacture of lithium-ion cells for rechargeable batteries.  Renovations and upgrades to the facility are expected to cost approximately $10 million and will occur over a two-year period.  

Brent Christensen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach, noted that CEO has been working to recruit BES since October 2009.

“Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. was naturally attracted to Alachua County by the valuable equipment housed at Phoenix Commercial Park, and we pledge to assist in nurturing this company to new heights by connecting it to the area’s innovative resources in technology, advanced workforce development and unparalleled quality of life,” Christensen said.

The company considered other areas throughout North America and Asia, ultimately choosing Florida and Phoenix Commercial Park.  

“Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. is a perfect fit for Phoenix Commercial Park, as Phoenix focuses on becoming the center of exciting new energy product research and manufacturing in the southeast,” said Lisa Albertson, landlord of the facility.

“We are very fortunate to have a tenant like Bren-Tronics, a strong company with a grounded business philosophy.  It is our belief that the company’s presence in Alachua County is a very positive move toward drawing other clean energy partners to this area. We would like to thank the CEO group and the Alachua County Commissioners for their support.” 

Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. will be eligible to receive $82,500 in performance-based economic development tax rebate incentives to locate here, 20 percent of which will originate from Alachua County.   

Richard Drummond, Alachua County Assistant County Manager, said, “Bren-Tronics’ decision to locate portions of its research and manufacturing operations to Alachua County is a significant milestone.  This provides new jobs in a growth segment of the economy that represents innovation and alternative energy development.  In addition, the facility being occupied by Bren-Tronics Energy Systems, Inc. contains valuable lithium-ion manufacturing equipment unique to North America and the United States.  This will allow for the retention of that equipment locally resulting in the export rather than import of lithium-ion cells, and providing for future expansion of this market segment.”

We are Proud to Announce Our New Designation!
 
On April 28, 2009, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners considered and passed the designation of the Phoenix Commercial Park as the “Phoenix Commercial Economic Enhancement District” under the Brownfield Redevelopment Program. The Brownfield Redevelopment Program empowers communities, local governments and other stakeholders in economic development to work together to prevent, assess, and reuse brownfields.  A Brownfield is defined as an area where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived contamination.

A recent press release from Alachua County Department of Environmental Protections states:

The Phoenix Commercial Park (12895 NW Highway 441, Alachua) occupies a portion of the former Moltech Power Systems plant.  An April 22, 2009 article in Gainesville Sun incorrectly reported that the Phoenix Commercial Park is contaminated and that the parties responsible for the cleanup would be determined after the Brownfield designation.  However, all available information indicates that there is no contamination at the Park.  Additionally, the existing contamination at the former Moltech Power Systems is already under remediation by the owners of that part of the property.   “I’m not aware of any environmental contamination or cleanup concerns associated with the Phoenix Commercial Park” stated, Environmental Protection Department Chris Bird; “however that perception may exist due to the historical use of the property”.  A Brownfield designation will help to alleviate those concerns and also provide tax incentives for companies creating jobs and locating in the Commercial Park.

 In a letter addressed to the County, Lisa Albertson, managing partner for the Park, stated that the possibility exists for the creation of 150 to 200 high-tech jobs in Alachua County.

“It is our hope that this combination of tax incentives and peace of mind will encourage companies that offer well paying, high tech and environmetally friendly jobs to come to Alachua County,” said Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid.  For additional information contact the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department at (352) 264-6806.

CONTACT: Mark Sexton, Communications Coordinator
PHONE: (352)374-5226; CELL (352)283-2317
EMAIL: msexton@alachuacounty.us

For Immediate Release

April 23, 2009

4:15 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – On April 28, 2009, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners will consider the designation of the Phoenix Commercial Park as the Phoenix Commercial Economic Enhancement District and as a Brownfield Area under the Brownfield Redevelopment Program. The Brownfield Redevelopment Program empowers communities, local governments and other stakeholders in economic development to work together to prevent, assess, and reuse brownfields.  A Brownfield is defined as an area where the expansion, redevelopment or reuse is complicated by actual or perceived contamination.

The Phoenix Commercial Park (12895 NW Highway 441, Alachua) occupies a portion of the former Moltech Power Systems plant.  The existing contamination at the former Moltech Power Systems is under remediation by the owners of that part of the property.   “I’m not aware of any environmental contamination or cleanup concerns associated with the Phoenix Commercial Park” stated, Environmental Protection Department Chris Bird; “however that perception may exist due to the historical use of the property”.  A Brownfield designation will help to alleviate those concerns and also provide tax incentives for companies creating jobs and locating in the Commercial Park.

 In a letter addressed to the County, Lisa Albertson, managing partner for the Park, stated that the possibility exists for the creation of 150 to 200 high-tech jobs in Alachua County. 

“It is our hope that this combination of tax incentives and peace of mind will encourage companies that offer well paying, high tech and environmetally friendly jobs to come to Alachua County,” said Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid.

For additional information contact the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department at (352) 264-6806.