Gainesville Mayor Ed Braddy vowed in his state of the city address on Jan. 28 to make Gainesville the most welcoming city for business in Florida – reversing its reputation as a hard place to do business.
Braddy, with the unanimous support of the city commission, launched a blue ribbon committee devoted to that goal on Thursday (March 19).
“You are part of one of the most important groups of people convened to help our city in at least a generation,” Braddy told the 23-member group as it met at the Downtown Library. “Our love of Gainesville and your desire to see more opportunities are what unites us.”
Braddy challenged the group to be bold and think creatively. “I want the reputation of Gainesville to be so good that anybody anywhere would want to come her to do business,” he said.
Mitch Glaeser, an entrepreneur and the past chairman of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, chairs the committee.
Dave Ferro, a real estate broker and the former chairman of the Alachua County Economic Development Advisory Committee, is the vice chair.
Retired University of Florida economist David Denslow was appointed as an advisor to the group.
Glaeser outlined an ambitious schedule that will include numerous subcommittee meetings, retreats and monthly meetings.
Committee members will complete a questionnaire about their concerns, their expertise and the qualities they identify with the city before the next meeting.
The members include two appointed by each city commissioner and representatives of business groups, the University of Florida and Santa Fe College.
The membership is broad – including Robert Walpole, who plans projects that require city approval as president of Causseaux Hewett & Walpole, and Omar Oselimo, who experiences the development review process for his restaurants – Reggae Shack, Southern Charm and an upcoming India-themed Gainesville location.
Other examples are Lee May, who helps foster entrepreneurship as executive director of the Gainesville Area Innovation Network, and John Fleming, who is helping develop the Innovation Square Area as the managing partner of Trimark Properties.
“Feel comfortable in thinking big about making Gainesville the best it can be,” Glaeser said. “We want to focus on the city’s qualities as well as find things that can be done better so this city can be a shining example to the world.”