Heart of Florida Regional Coalition
History

The idea of a regional planning approach for Alachua, Marion and surrounding counties has been discussed for many years, and that idea turned to reality when county leaders and area legislators formally discussed the idea in 2003.  Following that meeting, the presidents of Central Florida Community College (Dr. Charles Dassance) and Santa Fe Community College (Dr. Jackson Sasser) assumed responsibility for creating a structure to allow the regional planning idea to flourish.

In 2003, the college presidents convened a working group to determine how the two communities could work together to improve its economies and quality of life and to identify expectations of such an effort.  The opinion of the working group was to move forward to develop a set of strategies.  In the fall of 2004, the formation of a regional coalition began at the Herlong Mansion in Micanopy, Florida.  Margaret Spontak led a group of over 75 interested community leaders through a planning process to explore strategic focus areas for the coalition and explore a realistic structure.  The binding forces seem to be centered on improving regional quality of life through creating common initiatives; increasing legislative cohesion and support; effectively marketing the assets of Alachua, Marion and surrounding counties through the Heart of Florida brand; and improving economic vitality through a regional approach to economic research, workforce development, existing business support and targeted industry recruitment.  The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition was born. 

Several committees were formed to advance ideas in each of the focus areas.  Among the early successes were the creating of the Heart of Florida brand for the central area and cooperative marketing of economic development assets.  The group soon determined that as a loosely defined organization, it was difficult to keep the momentum moving at a pace that achieved the results intended.  In 2005, a small leadership contingency of the regional coalition decided to take the next step to solidify the coalition through funding and searching for an Executive Director.  Congressman Cliff Stearns obtained initial funding for the Coalition in July 2006.  A position description was posted and the committee hired its first Executive Director in August, 2007.  The Executive Committee continued with its master planning and enhanced its organization details, establishing a Coordinating Board to oversee the policy and decision making responsibilities, goal setting strategies, and general operation of the regional coalition.  As a defined entity, the Coordinating Board had its first official meeting on May 30, 2007 and conducted its strategic planning conference on September 6, 2007.

The Heart of Florida Regional Coalition, according to the Star Banner and Gainesville Sun, is credited with “an historic collaboration” when it conducted a Regional Water Supply Forum in November, 2007.  The event brought attention to and support for responsible water supply management regionally and state wide.  The Coalition will continue to promote collaboration to strengthen its economic vitality and quality of life.