Tammie Nemecek: Talking Economic Development

Tammi Nemecek: Talking Economic Development
TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JUNKIES, nirvana occurs when diverse and growing businesses combine with a great quality of life, resulting in a vibrant community where everyone thrives.

In reality, creating a world-class economy that welcomes innovation and attracts a healthy mix of enterprises is a tough task that takes collaboration and dedication amongst businesses, schools, government and the community.

Economic development councils around the country are charged with pulling all the pieces together to make it happen.

Tammie Nemecek, president and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County, was recently elected chairman of the Florida Economic Development Council. In its 45th year, the FEDC advises the state legislature on best policies for creating prosperity for the state. With that ambitious goal in mind, the board charged with providing leadership and vision to advance economic development is comprised of likeminded individuals from around the state, all engaged in policy development, education and professional advancement.

Jim Moore, interim director of Lee County's Economic Development Office, cuts right to the chase when he says the statewide and individual county economic development offices parallel each other, and the challenge at every level is to create and retain jobs.

"We're all excited that someone of Tammie's caliber has been chosen torepresent Florida," he says about Ms. Nemecek's new role as head of theFEDC board. "She'll do a terrific job because of the type of person that she is." 

And what type of person is that?

"Tammie's a dynamo," says Amy Evancho, president and CEO of the FEDC. "Economic development is one of those areas you cannot neglect in a tough economy. What she's done in the Southwest Florida region will carry through to the state level. It's critical that this kind of forwardthinking leadership guides us."

Ms. Evancho credits Ms. Nemecek as a key person behind Project Innovation, a Collier County EDC initiative calling for regional branding to differentiate local economies. Project Innovation's straightforward aim is to create a shared vision to stimulate innovation among businesses, schools, government and the economy.

"That program has had tremendous success over the past year that she's been involved," Ms. Evancho says, "She has an incredible ability to bring people together."

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Ms. Nemecek, 40, moved to Naples in 1973. She attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg and Hodges University, where she earned a degree in management. She joined the Collier County EDC in 1994.

Florida Weekly recently asked her about her goals as chair of board of directors for the FEDC.

FW: Diversification is always given as the number one goal to beef up an economy that has traditionally relied on tourism and land development. Any examples of progress toward that end?

TN: Infrastructure development has to occur before a big deal type of project like the Research Triangle in San Diego can be achieved. We've made significant progress in higher education, not only with Florida Gulf Coast University, but with capacity building at Edison State College, which was a community college not too long ago, and with Ave Maria and Hodges universities.

Another significant network involves transportation. The expansion of I-75 and even the new Southwest Florida International Airport benefit this area enormously. As we continue to evolve as a community, we're a better base for all kinds of industries.

FW: Has the economy given new life to discussion of broadening the mix?

TN: I really do think that Collier County is positioned better today than we ever have been to attract business, and we've had success because we're focused on opportunity. We've matured enough as a community to be able to do it. The desire is there because we see the impact of not having a diversified economy.

FW: Do you plan on taking any Collier County programs statewide?

TN: Project Innovation is a good example. That was a local initiative developed from a grassroots level with community partners to better understand how to create an economy by design. I've gotten calls from other communities that would like to use it as a model, and I've also heard about other initiatives.

One of the ideas behind Project Innovation is that each region benefits from its own identity, and a statewide forum will be a good place for that message to evolve.

FW: How can you help existing businesses?

TN: In addition to attracting new businesses, we create strength by finding resources and working with the community to create and retain jobs right now. With Florida Jobs, we identify existing businesses and industries and take them through our economic development machine.

One good example of how economic development can work was our Business Assistance Center, which was established after Hurricane Wilma to help local businesses and provide more than $1 million in bridge loans through funding made available by the state.

FW: You've been involved with the Florida Economic Development Council for a while. On the state level — actually working with the people who lobby the state — what's in the pipeline?

TN: We're working to create a world-class economic development delivery system that other states from around the country will look to. What's happening today that's different from what happened in the past is that we're coming together with a collective vision, not only as economic development professionals, but as a broad base of diverse organizations that understand what the needs are for economic development to flourish. We're speaking the same language.

FW: You're a very busy woman, obviously, and still have three children to raise. How do you find the time?

TN: I'm passionate about working with leadership in our community — locally, regionally and at the state level — to accomplish so much for the state of Florida. That's what keeps me going. I incorporate my children into many of the things that I do because it's beneficial for them to understand that what we're doing impacts their futures.

FW: Do they speak economic development as well?

TN (laughing): Sure. They understand. I started here when I was seven months pregnant with my first child (Zachary), and all three have grown up and lived economic development their entire lives. Right now my son Blake is very interested in the environment, and all three (Lyndi, too) are participating in a summer program at The Conservancy. So our main priorities are economic development and environmental preservation. It's all good stuff.

from the chair

>> The following are excerpts from Tammie Nemecek's message to the economic development community of Florida after she was elected to chair the Florida Economic Development Council's board of directors for 2009-2010:

 

"…For us to bring Florida out of these tough economic times, we must challenge ourselves, our leaders and our communities to create a shared vision for our future that results in a call to action to create prosperity and quality places for all Floridians for generations to come.

"FEDC has a responsibility to diversify the economy, ensure a culture of innovation, develop and enhance professional talent and create sustainable economies and resources.

"Our 2009-2010 key focus areas will include a better understanding of FEDC's role in a comprehensive Florida economic development delivery system. FEDC will collect data, create user forums to discuss performance quality, outcomes and opportunities and identify and assess best practices and systems in other markets. Our job is to connect excellence in the economic development system to our aspiration for Florida's future.

"As structural change is taking place in the economy, investors are also changing how decisions are made about investing in economic development. FEDC will build a visual and statistical analysis of the economic development system from all economic development enterprises throughout Florida through an internal working group of top research professionals. This research will help leaders at the local and regional level make decisions about structure, resources, return on investment and overall alignment with the economic development strategy.

"We must also develop and engage young professionals. We will launch a young professional outreach program throughout Florida. We need to invest this time to identify professional, volunteer and policy talent of the future.

"Finally, we will focus on communication. We will ensure communication resources are delivered and that we are responsive to our stakeholders… Over time, we hope to achieve and ensure that Florida has statewide alignment of messages and positions.

"Thank you for the opportunity to serve Florida, this organization and the economic development profession. I have a great passion and desire to continue the tradition of this great organization and its leadership. There is no other state like Florida, and no other economic development community like FEDC. We have a role and responsibility to continue to build a strong foundation for effective leadership, which results in sustainable economies for today and beyond."

The Florida Economic Development is a primary resource for policy development, legislative updates, education, networking and professional advancement. For more information, visit www.fedc.net.