| 2013 Qualified Economic Impact Project (QuEIP) |
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| Rapid Response
Fact Sheet |
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| WHAT IS THE
QuEIP PROCESS? |
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The QuEIP Team is
a public/private partnership established to maintain and grow a strong
economic base in Manatee County and consists of professionals who have the
authority to make administrative decisions involved in various aspects of a
qualified project. This concept has been in existence for over 20 years in
Manatee County. |
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There must be
limits to qualify for this process. The goal of the agencies responsible for
issuing or signing off on various permits is to handle every permit as
rapidly as possible. However,
sometimes in order to assist in attracting or retaining quality economic
impact projects, a more intense and responsive effort is required. |
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Members of the
team are empowered to put priority on such projects after being qualified
through the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation or Manatee County
Economic Development Division as appropriate. |
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Quality
improvement and flexibility are critical to the success of the QuEIP Team.
The program, an upfront process, does not exist in writing. This allows for the necessary flexibility
and continuous improvement that are vital to the success of the program. This
also allows for a custom fit for all projects. |
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It is understood
that all parties involved in the QuEIP process will operate with integrity
and courtesy. If a company, or its
consultants, deliberately disregards any rules or regulations they run the
risk of being disqualified from the QuEIP Program. Repeat offenders will no longer be
considered for future QuEIP assistance. |
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| HOW DOES A
PROJECT BECOME A QuEIP TEAM PROJECT? |
| The project must complete the “Qualified Economic Impact
Project” application, meet the basic thresholds listed below, and be approved
by the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation or Manatee County
Economic Development Division as appropriate. When a project meets these
criteria, the project may be eligible for other resources available in the
community and state, such as training, financing, technical assistance, and
suppliers which may greatly enhance business success. Coordination through the
Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation encourages this assistance. |
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Qualifying
criteria: |
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The project either: |
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Exports the
majority (55% or more) of its products or services outside Manatee/Sarasota
Counties (Manufacturers, corporate headquarters, telecommunication centers,
distribution centers, etc.) |
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And/or provides
high-end training or research to a customer base of 65% from outside the two
county region. (Research facilities, medical colleges, sports training
complexes, etc.) |
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Or, is a supplier
to local value-added industries where 75% of the company's clients are local
value-added industries. |
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The company must
be environmentally compatible, represent an end-user, and will create or
retain quality job opportunities meeting the following thresholds: |
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Existing local
company (Manatee/Sarasota) … average annual wage at
or above the 2011 local average annual wage $35,633
($17.13/Hour) |
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Relocating/new
company… average
annual wage that is 115% of the 2011 local average annual wage. $40,978 ($19.70/hour) In
addition, the project must create a minimum of 5 new jobs for Manatee
County. |
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Note: If the project is within an Enterprise Zone
or Community Redevelopment District the thresholds may be lower. |
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| WHO ARE THE
QuEIP TEAM MEMBERS? |
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The QuEIP Team
facilitator is the Economic Development Program Manager for the Manatee
County Department of Neighborhood Services.
Other team members vary depending upon the expertise required, but
might come from the following departments or agencies: |
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Planning Department |
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Department of Environmental Protection |
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Public Works Department |
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Building Department |
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Fire Districts |
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Southwest Florida Management District |
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Project Management Department |
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| WHAT DOES THE
QuEIP TEAM DO? |
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The Team’s main
focus is to provide assistance in navigating through Manatee County’s
permitting process. Often this
includes the following: |
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An initial meeting
with the client, the engineer of record, and the necessary team members to
identify key check points and look at how the process can be expedited. |
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Coordination of on-site inspections. |
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Direct involvement in resolving difficult
permitting issues. |
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Coordination with other regulatory agencies. |
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The QuEIP Team
provides a profile on specific properties to help the client understand
timing issues as they relate to specific properties. This information allows the client to make
a more informed decision relating to his/her choice of properties. (The team provides information relating to
zoning, future land use, existing and proposed infrastructure, concurrency,
impact fees, fire protection, and procedures for approval of all local
permitting.) |
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| The QuEIP Team is a true partnership because the client/owner’s
consultants must buy into the timing that is established by the “Team” in the
initial pre-application meeting. The
“Team” recommends that the client use consultants that have a history of
projects in the county. |
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