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RESOLUTION APPROVING CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-0046, AS A QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY BUSINESS PURSUANT TO FLORIDA STATUTE 288.106; CONFIRMING THAT THE COMMITMENTS OF LOCAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT NECESSARY FOR CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460, EXIST; AND PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION OF UP TO $90,000 FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS AS LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA QUALIFIED TARGET INDUSTRY TAX REFUND PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS 2013 THROUGH 2019, INCLUSIVE, OR OVER A TIME PERIOD AS DETERMINED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA IN ITS APPROVAL OF CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

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WHEREAS, this Board desires to accomplish the purposes outlined in the accompanying memorandum, Economic Impact Overview, and General Project Overview (attached) copies of which are incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, this Project commits to creating an additional 75 full-time equivalent jobs, as defined in Florida Statute Section 288.106, in Miami-Dade County by December 31, 2014 with an average salary of $60,866, which is at least 150 percent of the state average wage; and

WHEREAS, the tax refund may be prorated by the State of Florida pursuant to the terms of the General Project Overview in the event the Project creates fewer than 75 full-time equivalent jobs,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board hereby finds that attracting, retaining and providing favorable conditions for the growth of target industries provides quality employment opportunities for residents of the County and enhances the County�s economic foundations and recommends that CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460, (the �Business�) be approved as a qualified target industry business pursuant to Florida Statute 288.106, which created the Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program.

The necessary commitment of local financial support for CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460 as required under Florida Statute 288.106, exists in an amount not to exceed $90,000 from General Revenue Funds; and this local financial support will be available in the following increments:

Fiscal Year 2013 - 2014 $15,000.00
Fiscal Year 2014 - 2015 $15,000.00
Fiscal Year 2015 - 2016 $15,000.00
Fiscal Year 2016 - 2017 $15,000.00
Fiscal Year 2017 - 2018 $15,000.00
Fiscal Year 2018 - 2019 $15,000.00
TOTAL $90,000.00

Or payable over a time period and at annual amounts as determined by the State of Florida in its approval of CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460 application, as long as the $90,000 is not exceeded with the provision that any tax abatement granted to CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460 under Florida Statute 196.1995, reduces any QTI tax refund by the amount of any such abatement granted, in compliance with Florida Statute 288.106(6)(d); the County�s funds will be paid to the Florida Economic Development Trust Fund with the stipulation that these funds are intended to represent the �local financial support� required by Florida Statute 288.106 for CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460 in compliance with the QTI Program, including the requirement that the Business expand by or through additions to real and personal property, resulting in the net increase in employment of 75 full-time equivalent jobs, unless prorated by the State pursuant to the General Project Overview.

The necessary commitment of local financial support shall be contingent upon CONFIDENTIAL PROJECT #12-00460 maintaining the jobs during the life of the incentive and ensuring that its hiring practices aspire to be consistent with and reflect the diversity of the Miami-Dade County community.

The anticipated dates for job creation and disbursement of incentive awards are subject to change at the direction of the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee if in the best interest of the County.

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Date:

To: Honorable Chairman Joe A. Martinez
and Members, Board of County Commissioners

From: Carlos A. Gimenez
County Mayor

This substitute differs from the original in that it has been updated to identify District 7 as the intended location for this business.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
The Beacon Council, on behalf of a firm that requests confidentiality, has submitted an application for economic development incentives from the State of Florida (State) and Miami-Dade County that require approval from the Board of County Commissioners (BCC). It is recommended that the BCC approve the attached resolution authorizing Confidential Project 12-00460 (the �Business�) to be recognized by the State as a Qualified Target Industry (QTI) business and entitled to the financial benefits afforded under the QTI tax refund program.

The attached documents relating to the application of a tax refund under the Florida QTI business incentive program, pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 288.106, have been prepared by The Beacon Council and reviewed by the Sustainability, Planning, and Economic Enhancement Department.

The anticipated dates for job creation and disbursement of incentive awards are set forth in the Resolution but are subject to change at the direction of the County Mayor or the County Mayor�s designee.

Scope
The business operations of this project will create 75 new full-time equivalent jobs, as defined in Florida Statute Section 288.106, over a six-year period. The district location of this project is District 7; however, the jobs will have a positive countywide impact through indirect employment and a multiplier effect.

This Business is considering leasing space and building a 12,000 square feet Network Operations Center (NOC), and fully integrate the functional technology of the Business to receive advanced video, internet and telephone services. The Business will make upgrades to proprietary infrastructure and technology for residential and business convergence service delivery. The Business is also considering relocating its entire operations to Dallas, TX.

Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Confidential Project 12-00460 has applied for a total of $450,000 in QTI funds, of which 80 percent ($360,000) would be provided by the State. If the accompanying resolution is approved by the BCC, the County is committed to providing an award of no greater than $90,000 (or $1,200 per new job) in matching funds from countywide general fund revenues over an six-year period beginning in FY 2012-2013.

Track Record/Monitor
QTI funds awarded for job creation are provided on a matching basis upon the State invoicing the County for jobs created and verified by the State. The State effectively monitors the creation of the QTI jobs and provides such information to the County. The County�s matching funds are distributed only if the applicant complies with the commitment to create the number of new jobs indicated in the accompanying QTI application (see Attachment to the General Project Overview) and all other conditions of the incentive program. QTI incentive payments are contingent upon the company meeting its target of additional jobs.

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Economic Impact Overview
Confidential Project 12-00460 would be an expanding IT/Telecom company seeking to expand its business enterprise (NAICS Code # 517110) in Miami-Dade County. The Business would employ 75 new workers at its Miami-Dade County facility paying an average annual salary of $60,833, which is equivalent to at least 150 percent of the state average wage, while maintaining its current 16 employees. Employee benefits associated with each new job created will be $9,857.44, according to documents submitted by The Beacon Council.

If approved, the Business plans to commit to an investment of $25 million, of which $9 million is allocated to construction/renovation, $4 million to R&D equipment and $12 million for computer and office equipment.

The Beacon Council projects that the $25 million in direct investment by the Business and the local economic impact from operations will generate approximately $401,243 in countywide general fund revenues to Miami-Dade County over the six years the company is eligible for QTI cash incentives.

Attachments



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Deputy Mayor