director of military & defense programs enterprise florida...

July 25, 2014 Rocky McPherson Director of Military & Defense Programs Enterprise Florida, Inc. 101 N. Monroe St., Suite 1000 Tallahassee, FL 32310 Dear Mr. McPherson: Please accept this Defense Reinvestment Grant proposal from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance to support MacDill Air Force Base and local defense-oriented industries in the amount of $134,750. This is a joint application between the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, but the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce is the contract signatory and grant administrator. We look forward to your response and if the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation can be of any assistance to you or your staff, please feel free to contact us. Sincerely, Bob Rohrlack, CEcD Rick Homans President & CEO President & CEO Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Tampa Hillsborough

Economic Development Corporation

Spring 2015 Defense Reinvestment Grants Program

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Spring 2015

Defense Reinvestment Grant Program

Support of MacDill Air Force Base and Local Defense Oriented Industries

Submitted to

Enterprise Florida, Inc.

Submitted by

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and

Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation

In collaboration with

Tampa Bay Defense Alliance

25 July 2014


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A. Project Title: Support of MacDill Air Force Base and Local Defense Oriented Industries B. Counties and Bases/Installation(s) Affected: Hillsborough County, MacDill AFB C. Community Government/Authority Applicant:

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Government/Authority Federal Employee ID Number: 59-0474960 Primary Contact: Bob Rohrlack, President & CEO 201 N. Franklin St. Suite 201 Tampa, FL 33602-5846 D. Category of Proposed Project (Mark those that apply) Job Retention X Job Creation X Job Expansion X Technology Transfer Reuse Other (explain below) X Other categories for proposed project: Military and family support; retention of transitioning service members into civilian employment in the Tampa Bay area; and quality of life issues for Active, Reserve, Guard and retired service members. E. Grant Purpose. List activities and define objectives (max 2 pages) The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation (EDC) are seeking a Defense Reinvestment Grant to bring valuable support to MacDill Air Force Base and local defense oriented industries in Tampa and Hillsborough County. The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA) will collaborate on this grant. Our efforts have been outlined below in six areas: Economic Development; Advocacy; Business Climate Enhancement; Engagement Campaign; Expanding Horizons; and Maintaining Glidepath. Economic Development The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation (EDC), guided by the civilian and military members of their Defense and Security Task Force utilized funding from an FY 2011 – 2012 Defense Reinvestment Grant (DRG) to develop a comprehensive Military Transformation Strategy. The resulting report identified existing defense and security assets within our region pertaining to the EDC’s business recruitment program and outlined a plan to attract new companies within this target industry to Hillsborough County. The EDC utilized the Military Transformation Strategy and fiscal years 2012-2014 DRG funding to implement a recruitment plan by embarking on a research project to define the top companies in the defense and security industry to focus on as recruitment targets and to define the most important existing Hillsborough and Pinellas defense and security companies to target our business retention and expansion efforts. This data in conjunction with a sales mission to Washington D.C. and focused participation in SOFIC, GEOINT, TIDEX, IITSEC resulted in numerous recruitment and expansion opportunities for the THEDC. The FY 2015 proposal will build on this foundation, supporting the EDC’s efforts to further execute


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the recommendations through a strategic, multi-channel marketing plan as well as support the development of key marketable community business assets. Advocacy We propose a continuation of our multi-agency strategic approach to the advocacy process. Our organizations use our collective strength to work together as well as representing each other for mission success. Since the issuance of the most recent grant, the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) has conducted multiple trips to Washington, DC and Tallahassee in support of initiatives that would support military operations at MacDill and benefit our veterans in the Tampa Bay area. In the last year, the GTCC advocated for the “Florida GI Bill” which would waive out-of-state tuition and fees for active duty service members and veterans attending Florida colleges and universities. The GTCC has also supported efforts to allow veterans to receive mental health care from providers outside of the Veterans Health Administration, which would allow veterans to receive care in a timelier manner. Business Climate Enhancement

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) continues to work on efforts to enhance the business climate in Tampa Bay, while improving the connections between the business community and the military community. GTCC conducted “Doing Business with MacDill” and “Operation Partnership;” two efforts designed to break down the barriers between businesses and MacDill. For “Doing Business with MacDill,” about 100 business people attended a half-day conference about the ways in which their company can get become military contractors and how they can connect with the talented service members transitioning into civilian life. “Operation Partnership” is an annual event that pairs business people with transitioning service members. This allows service members to experience a civilian job, or civilians to experience daily life on base. About 25 service members attend each “Operation Partnership” with about 25 business people. “Operation Partnership” is organized by our Veterans Employment Subcommittee of our Military Council, which also organizes resume workshops for transitioning active duty members. GTCC also hosts business networking events aimed at defense contractors and veterans. Each spring, the GTCC holds the “Military Appreciation Banquet” in which the men and women of our armed services are honored for their service to the nation and the Tampa Bay community. About half of the attendees are active duty service members and their families. This event reinforces Tampa as a “military town” as business leaders spend the evening honoring the men and women who make a daily sacrifice for our freedom. The event has a keynote speaker each year who presents on a topic of importance to our military and the community about being pro-active to support our Servicemen and Servicewomen. The business community has organized initiatives based solely on past speakers presentations, such as supporting Wounded Warriors. Engagement Campaign MacDill Air Force Base has a historic role in the nation’s national security, but it is necessary to engage with the community and policy makers to maintain MacDill’s stature. The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA) will maintain their work to support MacDill during a time of national transition for the military and build on relationships to foresee evolving issues. The connections TBDA maintains with leaders in the defense community will ensure the ongoing legacy of the base.


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Expanding Horizons In order for MacDill to endure, the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA) will engage in efforts to expand MacDill’s ability to support new missions and units. TBDA will reach out to parallel business and institutional leaders in Tampa Bay and in the military to show firsthand the ability of MacDill to take on new challenges. Additionally, TBDA will work to connect growing industries and academia with MacDill’s needs in order to prepare for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Maintaining Glidepath

The work of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Military Council, the research developed by the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation from their Defense and Security Task Force and the goals and objectives of the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance has resulted in a strengthening of Tampa as a “military town.” Each group is also represented on the MacDill Community Partnership Initiative, which seeks to find opportunities for the base community and the public to collaborate on shared issues like education and recreational opportunities for civilian and military families. The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA) seeks to support the military community and support them in the face of unforeseen episodes like national policy decisions. In planning for a vision of MacDill in 2025, action steps must be taken now in order to maintain the base’s current status in the future. Efforts like the Community Partnership and Operation Embrace are urgently needed for our military families now and in the future.

F. Economic Impact Statement (Information from MacDill Air Force Base Economic Impact Statement, FY2012, unless noted)

1. Total value of Department of Defense personnel salaries (military and Department of Defense civilian personnel, both appropriated fund and non-appropriated fund personnel)................................................................................................. $853,676,388

2. Value of military contracts. ................................................................................................... $1,021,348,988

3. Estimated value of defense contractors’ domestic business. ................................... $846,659,1541

4. Estimated value of defense contractors’ international business. ................................................... N/A

5. Estimated value of retiree spending. ................................................................................ $2,609,020,194

6. Estimated value of educational programs funded by defense dollars. ......................... $8,389,281

7. Estimated value of medical benefits funded by defense dollars. .............................. $535,295,711

8. Estimated value of technology transfer initiatives as a result of synergies between the military, industry, and academia (if available). ......................................... $5,724,1512

9. Number of defense industries, which primarily contract with the Department of Defense organization. (List should be available upon request.) ....................................................... 23

10. Total economic impact with retirees ................................................................................ $4,869,316,315

11. Estimated annual dollar value of jobs created with retirees .................................. $1,884,446,939

1 “Defense Contract totals for Contractors in Hillsborough County, FY2013” http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/ 2 “University of South Florida contracts and grants from Department of Defense, FY 2013” http://reports.research.usf.edu/ Narrative available upon request.

http://www.governmentcontractswon.com/

http://reports.research.usf.edu/


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G. Does the Project Relate to Other Local/State/Federal Budgets? No. H. Cross-pollinating State Success:

The Tampa Bay region is one of the hubs in the growing High Tech Corridor stretching from Daytona Beach to St. Petersburg. With international coalition partners and a growing medical and technology sector that has found partnerships with MacDill, the scope of our work supporting the military community extends beyond county lines.

More than 41,000 jobs can be linked back to MacDill Air Force Base and our veterans’ community. But as the military transitions from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, the companies that have links to MacDill contracts are expanding into new sectors. Technology companies that worked with CENTCOM and SOCOM are now working with private companies to protect their information technology. Medical researchers are using the techniques learned on the battlefield to treat everything from brain injuries to psychiatric care.

With more than 14,000 civilian and military personnel on base, and living throughout the Tampa Bay region, the Defense Reinvestment Grants Program will allow us to continue our evolving strategic marketing campaign and develop stronger ties between the business community and the military community.

I. Community Support and Involvement:

Tampa has enjoyed a strong relationship with the military dating back to before the founding of Tampa as a city. Starting with the establishment of Fort Brooke in 1824, to the home base of Central Command and Special Operations Command, Tampa has always demonstrated that the military is a core component of this community. More than 130,000 veterans (including over 150 retired general officers) call the Tampa Bay area home; largely due to the support and appreciation our community shows local military families on an ongoing basis. Thanks to the efforts of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance (TBDA), Tampa and the region will continue to welcome our service members and their families.

Our proposed plan of action includes support for the EDC’s efforts to recruit defense contractors to the Tampa Bay region, providing an opportunity for transitioning service members to enter a field in which they are perfect to enter. GTCC will continue our efforts to connect businesses with the military community and honor those service members who have been exemplary in their service to their country and Tampa Bay. In 2014, the GTCC was awarded the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Three-Star Chamber of Valor”; the highest award given for military and veterans support. The next phase will include actions that will try to retain more of our transitioning service members, which will be attracted to Tampa Bay by our business community and educational opportunities. Our plan also includes support for the TBDA to coalesce regional support for our military.

The following organizations concur with this application:

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation Tampa Bay Defense Alliance


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J. Local Match Documentation and Criteria:

The collective Tampa Bay/Hillsborough Military Community will provide the required in-kind matching support towards the total cost of the project. Those entities include:

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation The Tampa Bay Defense Alliance Other entities as needed The total in-kind contribution from the three participating organizations exceeds $41,000.3

3 It is believed the actual in-kind match will exceed $100,000 when full actual accounting is completed.


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K. Plan of Action

Planned Activity Budget Cost Objective Milestone Outcomes

Economic Development

Execution of Military Transformation Strategy [OPR: EDC] $50,000

Implement the marketing & support recommendations delivered within the 2011 - 2012 Military Transformation Strategy report.

March 2015 – June 2015

Generate qualified defense and security industry business recruitment leads and support of economic development related initiative such as TALOS, rehabilitative health, and cyber security.

Lead Generation and Research Support Consultant related to business recruitment and support of TALOS and Rehabilitative Health and Cyber-Security

Contract a consultant to further identify and make introductions to targeted business recruitment leads tied to TALOS and Rehabilitative Health and Cyber-Security and gather data to assist in developing those assets in Tampa Bay.

Business Recruitment Mission

Execute an outbound sales mission targeting Defense and Security Industry business built around our relationship with USGIF.

Tradeshows/Conferences Participate in key industry tradeshows and conferences, including SOFIC and GEOINT.

Direct Marketing Campaign

Conduct a direct marketing campaign targeting C-level executives and site selectors within the Defense and Security industry, utilizing peer testimonials and the endorsement of existing industry representation.

Collateral Material

Produce marketing materials to showcase existing Defense and Security assets, as well as opportunities for local growth and expansion.


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Advocacy Education briefings to Tampa Bay Delegation, Military Leaders and policy development [OPR: GTCC]

$2,500 Continued in person meetings with key decision makers to update on MacDill activities and opportunities in partnering with local community for mutual benefit and growth.


Increased interaction will result in better coordination and strategy to enhance the military presence in Tampa.


Business Climate Enhancement Two events connecting the military and business communities: Doing Business With MacDill and Operation Partnership. [OPR: GTCC]

$5,000 Doing Business With MacDill and Operation Partnership engage and grow the relationship with the military and business community.

April- May 2015

By connecting the business community with base contacts, businesses will benefit from MacDill’s growth. Service members connecting with business leaders will provide opportunities for future civilian employment.

Military Appreciation Banquet [OPR: GTCC]

$15,000 The Military Appreciation Banquet is the annual event conducted by the GTCC to honor military members who have gone beyond the call of duty in service for their country and the Tampa Bay area. About half of the 400 attendees are service members who receive free tickets as active duty members or award winners.

March 2015 Strengthen relationship between MacDill and the business community. Enhance our “Tampa is a military town” image and honor our service members.


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Engagement Campaign [OPR: TBDA]

$24,000

Mitigate Sequestration & Budget challenges

Full court engagement with MacDill AFB to mitigate impact of Defense/National Security budget policies and decisions. Proactively sponsor and champion actions to sustain and preempt stain on quality of life.


Readiness of all MacDill missions; attraction of opportunities; sustainment of quality of life for families.

Advocacy to Defense & National Security leadership

Build upon relationships; interact and collaborate with FDSTF & Principi Group to foresee evolving issues; advocate through white papers and policy initiatives; and personal visits to sponsor and spearhead action.


Proactively strengthen MacDill to endure fiscal activities to include attraction of more force structure and technologies to Central Florida and Tampa Bay.

Education and Awareness Collaborate with GTCC to “tell story” of MacDill’s history and legacy to instill importance of MacDill’s location and infrastructure potential to national interests today and in the future. Educate and show firsthand MacDill’s as well as Tampa Bay’s community capability and potential. Insure communications are coordinated between the partners on this grant for optimal effectiveness.


Greater appreciation; actively seeing MacDill and community; understanding legacy, active and potential value to nation and Florida. TBDA will continue outreach with thought leaders in the Tampa Bay region and participate in national defense conferences and conventions held in Tampa Bay.


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Expanding Horizons [OPR: TBDA] $16,000 Continued execution of Military Transformation Strategy; recommendations of Principi Group to FDSTF; and evolving Engagement Strategies.

In collaboration with GTCC and THEDC, continue implement the recommendations delivered within the FY 2011-2012 Military Transformation Strategy report and The Principi/Spectrum Analysis recommendations.


Expend efforts and exert influence against prioritized list of initiatives coordinated with and through THEDC and the GTCC taken from the Military Transformation Study. Speak with “One Voice” to Support THEDC’s work on executing the study recommendations.

Force Structure Moves – support planning and programming for future moves to MacDill AFB

Provide and promote community support to MacDill leadership to acquire infrastructure, resources, and manning to successfully support future bed down of more KC-135s & Army Helicopters. These actions will begin next year.


Complete opportunity assessments, obtain, acknowledgements and appreciation for those assessments from state and federal legislators, AMC and Air Force Staff. Insure local community and infrastructure understands, and can/will support new Missions moving onto the AFB.

Visit parallel corporate and institutional leaders to champion emerging potential of Tampa Bay to host/sponsor new evolving business sectors growing from previously defense centric technologies.

Host and coordinate with partners visits to educate and show firsthand MacDill AFB and the potential and capabilities of our surrounding communities. This will include our universities and community colleges. Visit Pentagon, Capitol Hill, HQ AMC and HQ AF Reserves & National Guard to directly address issues and initiatives. Visit SOUTHCOM HQ to continue ongoing relationship.


Make MacDill “Top of Mind” with local and regional corporate leaders as they relocate operations and personnel to the area. Create more job opportunities for Vets leaving base, retiring in the area.


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Planned Activity Budget Cost Objective Milestone

Outcomes

Maintaining Glidepath [OPR: TBDA] $10,000

Sponsor programs directly contributing to collective Priorities: MacDill 2025; Military Transition; Community Partnerships as well as ‘pop-up’ initiatives to mitigate National budget pressures (e.g. Operation Embrace)

Deliver MacDill 2025 study, already underway, to THEDC and the GTCC for collaborative approach to prioritizing action steps from the study.


Priorities identified with THEDC and the GTCC as a result of the MacDill 2025 Study and work to execute short term objectives by June of 2015.

Contingency Initiatives Sponsor and direct unforeseen episodes caused by national policy/budget decisions (e.g. Gov’t Shutdown; curtailing programs; underfunding or cutting manpower/programs

Urgency is overwhelming; capacity to convene collective partners as soon as possible.


Be prepared to exert influence and efforts against initiatives at this time unidentified. A history of “pop up” priorities indicates the need to be ready to react quickly e.g. Operation Embrace.


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L. Budget and Financial Report Form:

SPRING 2015 DEFENSE REINVESTMENT GRANT PROGRAM: BUDGET AND FINANCIAL REPORT FORM

GRANTEE_Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce_______DATE 07/25/2014______________QUARTER ENDING ____________

Budget Category

Local State Total

Program Expenditures Program Expenditures Program Expenditures

Application Budget

Actual Application Budget

Actual Application Budget

Actual

Current Program

Quarter to Date

Current Program

Quarter to Date

Current Program

Quarter To Date

Category A

Economic Development $16,500 $50,000 $66,500

Advocacy $825 $2,500 $3,325

Business Climate Enhancement

$50,900 $20,000 $70,900

Engagement Campaign $7,920 $24,000 $31,920

Expanding Horizons $5,280 $16,000 $21,280

Maintaining Glidepath $3,300 $10,000 $13,300

Project Management $12,250 $12,250

TOTAL ALL CATEGORIES

$84,725 $134,750 $219,475


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M. Previous Performance:

Grantee Military

Installation Project Amount

Requested Amount

Awarded Amount

Returned Status

Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce MacDill AFB

Business Climate Enhancement (Military Appreciation Banquet, Doing Business with MacDill, Operation Partnership) $16,970 $16,970 $0 Open

Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation MacDill AFB

Economic Development (recruitment of defense contractors, EDC booths defense contractor conventions) $12,400 $12,400 $0 Open

Tampa Bay Defense Alliance MacDill AFB

Advocacy and program administration $50,630 $50,630 $0 Open

N. Applicant Local Economic Development Official’s or Representative’s Signature:

Signature: Date_7/25/2014__ Printed Name: Bob Rohrlack_______________________________________ Title: President & CEO__________________________________________ Organization: __Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce_________________

Signature: Date_7/25/2014__ Printed Name: Rick Homans_______________________________________ Title: President & CEO__________________________________________ Organization: __Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation_________

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