Main Stage has six months to woo initial investors
Main Stage Development will know within the next six months whether they can raise the $200 million needed to move forward on an arts and entertainment district in Murdock Village.
Read the complete Charlotte Sun article at http://www.floridasinnovationcoast.com/In_The_News/News_Articles/Murdock_Village/2012-04-01%20Main%20Stage%20has%20six%20months%20to%20woo%20initial%20investors.pdf
Ripken Baseball still on table
Charlotte County officials confirmed Friday that a proposal to bring the Cal Ripken youth baseball experience to Murdock Village is still in the works.
Read the entire Charlotte Sun article at http://www.floridasinnovationcoast.com/In_The_News/News_Articles/Murdock_Village/2012-03-31%20Ripken%20plan%20still%20on%20table.pdf
Entertainment District
At the March 19th Special Meeting, the Murdock Village CRA Advisory Committee reviewed the Main Stage proposal of acquiring 100 acres in Murdock Village CRA to develop an Entertainment District. The Committee voted 4-0, with one member abstaining, recommending the Board of County Commissioners publish the 30 day notice to move this project forward.
On March 27, the Board of County Commissioners approved publishing a 30-day notice, required by the Florida Redevelopment Act, to consider the Main Stage LLC proposal to acquire approximately 100 acres to develop a theater and entertainment district in the Murdock Village Community Redevelopment Area. The proposal includes a conceptual plan and a term sheet that lays out specific milestones that both Main Street and the County are required to meet at 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month intervals from the date the Board enters into an option contract. If all milestones are met, Main Stage LLC will purchase the property or, in lieu of purchase, adopt a binding construction and development timeline as consideration of the property.
Harbor Walk
On March 27, the Board of County Commissioners approved sending a letter to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to request authorization to advance the construction of Phase I of the Harbor Walk project in the Charlotte Harbor CRA. If FDOT approves the request, the CRA will be able to move forward on the construction of the project earlier than July 2014, which is the year the project is funded by FDOT. The County will provide a loan to the Charlotte Harbor CRA to allow construction to begin with reimbursement on the loan coming from FDOT when funds are available. Components included in Phase I include: replacement of the seawall; construction of a bathroom; pedestrian plaza and parking area; small boat launch; pedestrian promenade and a sidewalk linking the bridge to Melbourne Street.
Tom King Appointed to Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority
Tom King, is the newest member of the Industrial Development Authority. Tom was sworn in March 21st by IDA Counsel, Jim Humphrey at the organization’s monthly meeting.
The Charlotte County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) was established in 2006 under Part III of Chapter 159, Florida Statutes, to foster and encourage industrial and business development in Charlotte County, Florida. The IDA is a seven-member board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Charlotte County. Members represent various business sectors: banking, accounting, engineering, real estate and manufacturing. By statute each IDA board member is appointed to a four-year term. The Charlotte County Economic Development Office serves as staff to the IDA, and the IDA has a representative in the Enterprise Charlotte Economic Council, a public-private partnership that advises the Charlotte County Commissioners on economic development issues. The IDA encourages companies interested in locating to Charlotte County as well as companies presently located in Charlotte County to explore the use of Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRBs) to finance projects.
Current Board Members include: Todd Rebol, Chair; Rob Humpel, Vice Chair; Jeff Brown, Secretary; Cathy Sanders, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Michael Grant; Lane Diedrick and Tom King.
Tom represents the manufacturing sector and is the President and Sales Manager of SUPERTRAK, Inc. located in Punta Gorda. SUPERTRAK, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Tom. In addition to Manufacturing Custom Vegetation Management and Forestry Machines, SUPERTRAK, Inc. is a Dealer and Distributor for Machinery in the Mulching, Vegetation Management, and Biomass Industries. King is also the Vice-President of Marden Industries, another Florida Corporation that focuses on fabrication and the manufacturing of Forestry Implements suited for heavy machinery. King is currently working developing Biomass Harvesting and Handling Systems.
Quimatec
A Brazilian chemical company called Quimatec toured Charlotte County in a search to find a good place to expand foreign operations and form connections with Florida chemical companies.
Quimatec has been in businesses for 30 years. It imports raw chemicals and processes them into compounds used in such industries as sugar refining, ethanol distilling and paper milling.
The executives of Quimatec were escorted on a tour of the airport and other economic assets by Kay Tracy, a business development specialist for Charlotte County Economic Development, and Jefferson Michaelis, president of the Brazil-Florida Chamber of Commerce.
The visit comes as a follow-up to Gov. Rick Scott’s trade mission to Brazil in October 2011, and to a visit by 27 Brazilian businesses to Charlotte County in November.
“Quimatec is just one more Brazilian business who likes what they’ve heard about our Business Friendly Community, and is now looking to size-up the County to see if their organization would prosper in our area,” Tracy said.
Suncoast Technology Forum Luncheon
Learn about Charlotte County’s proposed high speed fiber optic network for business use throughout the county and add your input to the project.
The Charlotte County Economic Development Office will be hosting the February Suncoast Technology Forum Luncheon on February 21st at the Captain’s Table in Fisherman’s Village, Punta Gorda, FL. Networking begins at 11:30 and the meeting is from 12 to 1 PM. Members $15.00, Guests $25.00. Lunch is included. Register Online.
The Suncoast Technology Forum concentrates its efforts in support of technology professionals and their businesses across multiple business sectors. These efforts will include attracting and retaining top industry talent and deeper collaboration with area schools and universities to develop the highly skilled workforce the area will need to support a growing high tech sector well into the future. The organization works within Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte Counties.
This month’s speakers will be John Honker of Magellan Advisors and Ray Desjardins, Senior Division Manager of the Charlotte County Information Technology Department. The topic will be Charlotte County’s proposed community broadband model.
Charlotte County is currently evaluating the opportunities that a community broadband network would present to the area, through strategic investments in fiberoptic infrastructure. This network would serve the local business community with advanced fiber-based broadband services at competitive prices. It would also provide a significant economic development tool to attract new business and develop new industry sectors within the County, such as life sciences, research, healthcare, hightech and engineering.
Charlotte County is currently seeking input from local businesses to gain a more thorough understanding of broadband access, availability and speeds.
If you are a consummate technology professional or a business in need of solutions, Suncoast Technology Forum is the place to network and solve technology business needs. To learn more about Suncoast Technology Forum, please visit thier web site at http://suncoasttechnologyforum.com/.
Business Expo 2012
The Charlotte County Economic Development Office will be exhibiting at the Business Expo 2012 at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL on February 2, 2012 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Stop by and learn about Charlotte County and how your business can begain or grow in our community.
Business Expo 2012
The Hottest Business Day in Paradise, trade shows and summits. February 2, 2012 at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Confernce Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda, FL from 10 AM to 4 PM. For more information, contact Sara at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, 941-627-2222
Hands Across the Harbor
Register for the 4th Annual Hands Across the Harbor 2012 at www.Active.com. Pre-registration is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for students until January 26th. After that $20.00 fro adults, $12.00 for students . 8k run, 5k walk, 10/20 mile bicycle ride. Music, food and prizes. Bayshore Live Oak Park, 23157 Bayshore Road, Charlotte Harbor, FL. Hotline 941-5-8-8880. Benefits the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Inc.
