News

Jennifer Carroll: ‘We’re not going to rest on our laurels’ [Daily Record]

by David Chapman, Staff Writer

Gov. Rick Scott will continue to streamline government and reduce bureaucracy and taxes during the legislative session and his second year in office, said Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll.

“Now Florida is ranked as the third business friendly state in the nation,” Carroll said. “We’re not going to rest until we are No. 1.”

Carroll was the keynote speaker at NAIOP of Northeast Florida’s meeting Friday, where almost 150 members and guests heard the former local legislator discuss economic growth, commercial spaceports, the Embraer deal and more.

“This legislative session we’re not going to rest on our laurels,” she said. “We’re going to move forward to even further reduce taxation on businesses and homeowners.”

Carroll is chairwoman of Space Florida and discussed the potential of commercial spaceports in terms of both business and education opportunities. GPS, cell- phones, scratch-proof eyewear lenses, medical equipment and national security were all examples Carroll presented as everyday benefits of the space program and its technology.

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NAIOP recaps achievements for 2011 [Daily Record]

NAIOP of Northeast Florida, a regional commercial real estate and trade association, recapped the year at the group’s recent holiday party at Epping Forest Yacht Club.

Karl Hanson, the 2011 president, reviewed its work:

• Launching a Downtown Revitalization Platform, which included strategies and tactics to improve the urban core’s landscape, infrastructure and economy.

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NAIOP to Host Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll at Jan. 13 Luncheon [what’s up jacksonville]

If you’re already planning ahead to 2012, mark your calendars for Jan. 13 when NAIOP of Northeast Florida, the region’s commercial real estate trade association, will host a luncheon featuring guest speaker Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll. The lunch will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Hyatt Regency – Jacksonville Riverfront. Lt. Gov. Carroll will discuss the state’s progress and focus on education, jobs and economic growth, as well as provide an update on Northeast Florida’s business and education sectors. Read More...

Huddle up: Networking abounds at EverBank Field [Jacksonville Business Journal]

The hottest scene to be seen at this week was hands down EverBank Field for the big Monday Night Football game.

Fans were out in full force tailgating before the game. Despite the Jacksonville Jaguars ’ loss to the San Diego Chargers , last week’s news of the team’s sale to Shahid Khan and the replacement of Coach Jack Del Rio by Mel Tucker as interim head coach added a sense of hope and excitement to the evening. Read More...

DEP chief aims for consistency, certainty [daily record]

by David Chapman, Staff Writer
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard said Friday his priorities are to ensure greater regulatory certainty and consistency.

He also said he wants to “get the water right” in both quantity and quality and to increase access to state parks.

Vinyard, who has been on the job about 10 months, spoke to the NAIOP Northeast Florida Chapter meeting. He said that his “hair has been on fire since day one,” but he’s learned a lot since his appointment.

“I’m a firm believer that environmental protection and growth go hand in hand,” he told almost 80 members of the area commercial real estate trade association in attendance.

Vinyard is a former BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards executive and a former attorney and shareholder with Jacksonville-based Smith, Hulsey & Busey.

Business owners seeking environmental permits often face different restrictions and methods to acquire them from water management districts across the state, he said. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard said Friday his priorities are to ensure greater regulatory certainty and consistency.

He also said he wants to “get the water right” in both quantity and quality and to increase access to state parks.

Vinyard, who has been on the job about 10 months, spoke to the NAIOP Northeast Florida Chapter meeting. He said that his “hair has been on fire since day one,” but he’s learned a lot since his appointment.

“I’m a firm believer that environmental protection and growth go hand in hand,” he told almost 80 members of the area commercial real estate trade association in attendance.

Vinyard is a former BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards executive and a former attorney and shareholder with Jacksonville-based Smith, Hulsey & Busey.

Business owners seeking environmental permits often face different restrictions and methods to acquire them from water management districts across the state, he said. Learn More...

Herschel Vinyard at NAIOP of Northeast Florida’s Quarterly Luncheon [what’s up jacksonville]

Herschel Vinyard presented a compelling narrative about his vision for the Department of Environmental Protection at today’s NAIOP of Northeast Florida luncheon at the Omni in downtown Jacksonville. As Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Vinyard is focused on protecting the state’s natural resources while creating the best possible mechanisms for job creation. His top priorities include establishing permitting efficiencies, consolidating water policies to create a more effective, consistent development and management strategy, and maintaining the state’s legacy of an award-winning park system. Learn More...

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Ignite Speed Networking

In what will likely turn into an annual event, members from NAIOP Developing Leaders, ULI Emerging Professionals, and ICSC NextGen joined together for Ignite Speed Networking at the chic Aloft Hotel in Tapestry Park.

Over 60 of the commercial real estate industry’s best and brightest young professionals were joined by established industry leaders for one of the most enjoyable and enriching events of the year.

Special thanks to Hallmark Partners, Bowyer Singleton & Associates, Brasfield & Gorrie General Contractors, and Prime Realty for sponsoring the event!

Christian Harden - Developing Leaders Committee Chair

 

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2011 NAIOP of Florida Public Affiars Summit

The 2011 NAIOP of Florida Public Affairs Summit was held in Orlando on October 13th and 14th. The NAIOP of Northeast Florida delegation consisted of President-Elect Gordy Steadman, Vice President of Public Affairs Wyman Duggan, and NAIOP of Florida Board Members Traci Jenks, Fitch King, Jeff Evans, and Nelson Bradshaw. The following significant items were discussed.

1. Online Retail Sales Tax: Legislation will be introduced during this coming state legislative session to require online retailers to collect and remit sales taxes for sales made to Florida residents. Current state law imposes this tax but requires the purchaser to track and remit it to the state of Florida if the retailer does not do so. NAIOP of Florida decided to make this a core lobbying issue for the 2012 Legislative session. Our Chapter has already passed a resolution in support of this effort to close the online sales tax loophole.

2. Imposition of Sales Tax on Tenant Improvements: The Florida Department of Revenue is undertaking rulemaking regarding the taxability of tenant improvements to real property. The law in this area is evolving and the Department of Revenue is looking for a rule that may give definitive guidance. A draft rule is not yet available for review. Accordingly, NAIOP of Florida voted to continue to track the rulemaking process and report back to the Chapters via their public affairs chairs.

3. New Amendment 4 - Additional Property Tax Exemption/Cap: The Florida Association of Realtors has placed a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on the 2012 ballot that would decrease the current 10% cap on annual ad valorem increases for non-residential property to 5%. It would also provide an additional exemption for residential properties. A presentation was made by an FAR representative seeking NAIOP of Florida’s support for the amendment. NAIOP of Florida is soliciting input from the various Chapter Boards before taking a position on this issue.

4. Miscellaneous Issues: Summaries of the following topics were provided by NAIOP of Florida’s lobbying firm, Pennington Moore: i) the potential for growth management “glitch” legislation in the upcoming session; ii) recent reform to the Bert J. Harris Private Property Rights Act (intended to make claims against governmental regulations that do not rise to the level of a taking easier to prosecute); iii) the potential introduction of legislation allowing for non-judicial foreclosure in Florida (Nelson has agreed to liaise on this effort as a member of the Florida Bankers Association state board); and iv) a sunset extension of the distressed condo relief act. Copies of the summaries of those issues may be obtained from Wyman Duggan upon request. In addition, discussion was had as to whether NAIOP of Florida should take a position on potential state immigration legislation. The consensus was that this is not a core issue for NAIOP of Florida, and therefore no position will be taken.

Finally, Nelson Bradshaw was elected Treasurer of NAIOP of Florida for 2012

Wyman Duggan - V.P. Public Affairs
 

NAIOP of Northeast Florida Announces Results from 2011 Golf Invitational [whatsupjacksonville]

NAIOP of Northeast Florida, the region’s commercial real estate authority and trade association, recently hosted its 2011 Golf Invitational at Jacksonville Golf & Country Club and is pleased to announce the team winners and total funds raised to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. The annual tournament, presented by Midtown Centre, brought together the area’s brokers and commercial real estate professionals for a competitive day of golfing, drawings and good will. Landon Gentry, Long Drive Champion and North Florida resident, hosted the NAIOP/Liberty Property Trust Charity Long Drive to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

The tournament winners are:

• --1st place net: Sarah Bermudez, Kevin Vaughn, Christian Harden and TK Kelly
• --2nd place net: Jason Darling, Leith Oatman, Greg Hough and Bobby Grass
• --1st place gross: Jim Porter, Damon Olinto, Karl Hanson Jr. and Kyle Sawicki
• --2nd place gross: Sean McGill, Jim Loftin, Steve Deriesthal and Chris Morgan
• --Brokers Cup Challenge winners were 1st place net team: Sarah Bermudez, Kevin Vaughn, Christian Harden and TK Kelly
• --Longest Drive: Kaycee Gardner and Aaron Zarle
• --Closest to the Pin: TK Kelly
• --Putt Contest: JR Richardson

 

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Five in Focus: Gray Swoope, Enterprise Florida President, CEO [Jacksonville Daily Record]

Gray Swoope, the president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, was the keynote speaker at the joint NAIOP and ULI North Florida lunch event. Enterprise Florida is the state’s economic development organization. The Daily Record spoke with him Wednesday afternoon. Learn More...

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