Acknowledgments

This Economic Development Implementation Plan was developed by the Metropolitan Center (MC) at Florida International University (FIU) in response to Mayor Penelas’ Mosaic 2000 Partnership’s dialogue concerning the impediments to economic development in Miami-Dade. Funding for the study was approved by the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

The FIU/MC wishes to recognize the support and assistance of Mayor Penelas and his Special Assistant, Ari Turner; former County Manager Merritt Stierheim and Assistant County Manager, Barbara Jordan; Tony Crapp and the professional staff of the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED); and the Department of Planning and Zoning.

The FIU/MC appreciates the guidance and support of EDIP Advisory Committees members— Dean Ronald Berkman, Cynthia Curry and George Knox, Esquire; the FIU/MC research staff—Rosa Davis, Gus Newell, Liga Repogle, Eva Vela, and Ines Hernandez-Siqueira; the MC’s Community Outreach Partnership Director, Gisele Michele; the FIU Institute of Government—Director Dr. Howard Frank, Assistant Director Juan Covas, and staff, Kerlan Jacques and Charla McPhee; MC Financial and Contract Management staff Lucy Maharaj and Shana Goetz; and clerical staff Maureen Entingh. A special thanks to FIU doctoral candidate, Jill Strube, for her expert organization and presentation of the final EDIP document.

The FIU/MC recognizes the important contributions of sub-consultants James Carras, Carras Community Investments, Inc.; Johnny Mack, National Institute for Community Empowerment, and his sub-consultant Elaine Black, Tools for Change; and the National Panel members—Barbara Burnham, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Washington office; Kristen Faust, former Assistant State Treasurer, State of California; Dr. John Mullin, FAICP, University of MassachusettsAmherst; Abdul Rasheed, President and CEO, North Carolina Community Development Capital Initiative; and Jim Reid, Director, Southern Dallas Development Corporation. A special thanks to Bryan Finnie, President and CEO, Miami-Dade Empowerment Trust and Robert Schwarzreich, City of Miami, Department of Real Estate and Economic Development for graciously providing the National Panel with a tour of Miami-Dade’s urban neighborhoods.

The FIU/MC extends our sincere thanks and appreciation to the many government and community agency officials, business and community leaders who participated in the interview process. A special thanks to those Miami-Dade’s economic development stakeholders and community and business leaders who participated in FIU/MC’s two Economic Development Policy Forums.

With appreciation to all who participated and sincere hope that this report accurately reflects their input and provides constructive analyses and recommendations.

Ned Murray, Ph.D., AICP

James Rivers, Ph.D.

Florida International University / Metropolitan Center Economic Development Implementation Plan: April, 2001