News from FIOG

Introducing James Carras, CRED Tampa Bay 2013 Lead Facilitator

The Florida Institute of Government at the University of South Florida welcomes James Carras as the CRED Tampa Bay Lead 2013 Facilitator. Mr. Carras brings years of valuable, real-world experience into our program to cultivate future leaders in community real estate development.

For over twenty-five years, as Principal of Carras Community Investment, Inc., James Carras has concentrated on designing and implementing responses and solutions for community and economic development opportunities. Assignments have ranged from influencing national policy on community investment, affordable housing and community economic development (Fannie Mae's "White Paper on Affordable Housing Context") to creating local financing and funding partnerships (e.g. Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation, Delaware Community Investment Corporation) across the country. Mr. Carras is recognized nationally for the creation and expansion of over fifty development financial institutions and community investment initiatives... Read more

Hardee County partners with FIOG to examine its agri- and eco-tourism assets.

Broad development opportunities will be integrated into a formal economy building strategy.

Over a 16-week period beginning in April 2012, FIOG conducted a thorough community assessment, inventory and analysis of Hardee County's physical attributes and historical resources. Working with stakeholders like the Hardee County Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Authority (IDA), city/county staff and business leaders, FIOG provided guidance on how County assets can be used to enhance quality of life and opportunities for both residents and visitors. Read more...

Sarasota and Haines City take part in FIOG and the Florida League of Cities to enhance public participation in government.

The economy has provided unique challenges to the public as well as the private sector.  Budgets are tight, and the level of citizens’ trust in government is at an all-time low.  These are just two of the many reasons cities like Sarasota and Haines City are seeking innovative ways to engage their citizens beyond the traditional public hearings and advisory boards. Read more...

The City of Clearwater turns to FIOG to help open Florida's Tool Box of economic development incentives.

Florida communities have established a virtually endless list of programs in order to be competitive in recruiting new businesses, while remaining responsive to the existing business needs. The City of Clearwater asked FIOG to review Florida's Tool Box of economic development incentives to see which economic development policies would provide the best returns, as well as to guide the City in determining the right levels of investment for economic development projects. Read more...

FIOG welcomes new Training Support Specialist

Please join us in welcoming Rebecca Ann "Becky" Clayton to the Florida Institute of Government staff as the new Training Support Specialist.

Becky is a native Floridian and grew up in Central Florida where she attended the University of South Florida and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and Education. She worked at the Southwest Florida Water Management District as education coordinator for 10 years then moved to the non-profit sector. First as education director at The Florida Aquarium, then as general manager at The Children's Museum of Tampa, she gained valuable experience managing organizations. Most recently she has had the opportunity to work with a variety of non-profit organizations as an associate with the communications firm, Next Steps Collective, LLC and through her own consulting company, A&L Consulting. She is active in the community through the Tampa Bay Conservancy where she is on the board of directors and volunteers with Sunrise of Pasco, a domestic violence center.