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Rapid Response Permitting Team Fact Sheet
WHAT IS THE RAPID RESPONSE PERMITTING TEAM?
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u Members of the team are empowered to put priority on such projects originating from the Economic Development Council.
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Quality improvement and flexibility are critical to the success of the Rapid Response 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.
u It is understood that all parties involved in the Rapid Response Team process will operate with integrity and courtesy.  If a company, or its service providers, deliberately disregards any rules or regulations, they run the risk of being disqualified from the Rapid Response Team Program.  Repeat offenders will no longer be considered for future Rapid Response Team assistance.
WHO ARE THE TEAM MEMBERS?
u The Team facilitator is Clara Ricker for Manatee County.  Other team members vary depending upon the expertise required, but might come from the following departments or agencies:
u Planning Department
u Environmental Action Commission
u Transportation Department
u Public Works Department
u Building Department
u Fire Department
u Southwest Florida Water Management District
u Project Management / Inspections
WHAT DOES THE TEAM DO?
u The Team’s main focus is to provide assistance in navigating through the 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.
u Coordination of on-site inspections.
u Direct involvement in resolving difficult permitting issues.
u Coordination with other regulatory agencies.
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The Rapid Response 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 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.)
HOW DOES A PROJECT BECOME A RAPID RESPONSE TEAM PROJECT?
u The project must originate from the Economic Development Council.
If the project is of economic development importance, then its success can be enhanced by accessing other resources available in the community and state, such as training, financing, technical assistance, and suppliers.  Coordination through the Economic Development Council encourages this assistance.
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The project exports the majority of its products or service outside Manatee County  (Manufacturers, corporate headquarters, telecommunication centers, distribution centers, etc.); and/or it imports dollars from the sale of goods into the local economy, or is a supplier to local value-added industries.  (Regional outlet malls, catalog distribution centers, etc.)  Note: The key thresholds are that 55% or more of the company’s client base is outside the Bradenton/Sarasota region OR 75% of the company's clients are local value-added industries.
u The project must be environmentally compatible and the project represents an end user and will create or retain quality job opportunities meeting the following threshold:
Existing local company (Manatee/Sarasota) …average annual wage at or above the local average annual wage (2007…$32,845 or $15.79/hr).
Relocating/new company…average annual wage that is 115% of the local average annual wage (2007…$37,772 or $18.16/hr).  In addition, the project must create 5 new jobs for Manatee County.
(Note:  If the project is within an Enterprise Zone or Community Redevelopment District the thresholds will be lower.)
u Timing is a critical component in the success of the project.
The Rapid Response 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.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL * MANATEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
P.O. BOX 321 * 222 10th Street West * Bradenton, FL 34206-0321 * Phone: +1 (1-941) 748-3411 * E-mail: Info@manateeEDC.com