The Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Broward County’s official public/private partnership for economic development, hosted its 2024 Annual Meeting on Oct. 24 at the War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. With over 650 business and community leaders in attendance, they were treated to an exclusive preview of a new community campaign featuring an interview with Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk. The campaign will showcase Tkachuk’s favorite aspects of living, working, and enjoying life in Greater Fort Lauderdale. The initiative aims to attract potential talent and companies considering a move to the area.
The Alliance also revealed several company expansions and relocations to Broward County during the annual meeting. They reported that in the 2023-24 fiscal year ending Sept. 30, they helped businesses create 860 new high-value jobs, retain 170 jobs and secure over $159.6 million in new capital investment. A highlight of the evening was the announcement from Xtreme Aviation, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, in partnership with Sheltair Aviation, the nation’s largest privately owned aviation network. They are developing a new MRO hangar facility at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), featuring the latest advancements in aviation maintenance and an aircraft wash rack. This 70,000-square-foot hangar is designed to reduce maintenance turnaround times and costs for airlines operating at FLL. The project is projected to create 400 high-skilled jobs with a total capital investment of $30 million.
“For more than six decades, the Alliance has been an integral driver of economic growth in Broward County,” says Bob Swindell, President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance. “This year, we are thrilled to have assisted the expansion and relocation of a number of leading companies throughout Broward, further distinguishing our county as a premier destination for high-value targeted industries such as aviation MRO services and high-tech manufacturing – and the jobs they create and support.”
At the meeting, Doug Bartel, the State and Regional Communications Leader for Florida Blue, took on the role of Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Fiscal Year 24-25.
“Economic development is essential for building more vibrant communities and enhancing the quality of life for our residents,” Bartel stated. “I am honored to lead the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance’s Board of Directors as we strive to meet these objectives.”
Erick Strati, the South Florida Commercial Banking Market Executive for Wells Fargo, held the Chair position during the fiscal year 2024.
Swindell awarded Kaplan, Inc. CEO Andrew S. Rosen the 2024 Ray Ferrero, Jr. Economic Development Leadership Award, the Alliance’s top honor, recognizing Broward business leaders who embody Chancellor Ferrero’s vision and commitment to economic development and the community. Previous Ferrero Award recipients include Matthew Caldwell, Colin Brown, Rick and Rita Case, Ray Ferrero, Jr., Dr. George L. Hanbury, II, H. Wayne Huizenga, Mike Jackson, Keith Koenig, Juliet M. Roulhac, Dr. Penny Shaffer, Terry Stiles and Jordan Zimmerman.
The Alliance recently awarded its annual Economic Development Leadership Awards to seven outstanding individuals who have significantly contributed to job growth and economic enhancement in the community. The honorees, along with the respective Alliance Council that recognized them, include Derek Koger from the Seminole Tribe of Florida (CEO Council), Bryce Hollweg from the Florida Panthers (Governor Council), Jonathan Wolfe from AutoNation (Leadership Council), Mark Binko from National Jets (Corporate Council), Basil Bernard from Apricot Office Interiors (Entrepreneurship Council), and Anita Fain Taylor from the City of Miramar (Partner Council).
