6601 Main Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014 305.364 · online business directory, free to Miami Lakes businesses. Simply register your business to manage your page to include photos of

MIAMI LAKES TOWN HALL6601 Main Street, Miami Lakes, FL 33014

305.364.6100www.miamilakes-fl.gov

When it incorporated in December 2000, the Town of Miami Lakes became the 31st municipality in Miami-Dade County. One of the youngest cities in the County, Miami Lakes is home to approximately 30,000 residents and more than 1,400 businesses.

The Master Plan began over 50 years ago, when the Graham family began development of what was their dairy farm. Unlike many cities and towns created during the early 1960s, the Grahams decided to create a Master Plan for the Town that would allow for decades of growth, construction, and changing market conditions. Lester Collins, former Dean of the Harvard School of Architecture, was enlisted to create a Master Plan for the area that would become the center of Miami Lakes. Collins laid the foundation for an integrated community including residential, commercial, industrial and mixed uses.

Collins’ original concept for the town continues to be incorporated into new planning and development, and has been recognized by national and local media as one of the best examples of community master planning in the nation. The precise planning and development of the original 3,000 acres of land led to a vibrant and beautiful city with winding streets, lush landscaping, generous parks, peaceful cul-de-sacs, and controlled mixed use and exclusive business parks.

As the Town of Miami Lakes looks to the future, it will continue to strive for innovation while remaining true to its original founders’ vision of providing the highest quality of life for its residents and visitors.

History

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Miami Lakes is known as one of the most beautiful residential areas in South Florida for its tree-lined streets, large estate lots, and extremely low crime rate.

We provide our residents with friendly and helpful service through our departments, including Community and Leisure Services, Neighborhood Services, Public Works and Capital Improvements, Economic Development, and Police Departments.

The Town of Miami Lakes Community & Leisure Services Department is responsible for overseeing one of the most unique parks systems in Miami-Dade County consisting of 101 total park locations in a 6.5 square mile area. With a park in walking distance of almost every neighborhood in the Town, there is always something to see and do in a park or a recreation facility each and every day. You will find a program, an activity, special event, or a special place that brings you back again and again. We are just around the corner, we have something for everyone, and the benefits are endless.

Over the last 50 years, Miami Lakes has progressed from a dream on paper into a reality. This vibrant community is nationally recognized as one of the best examples of unique and innovative town planning with lakes and canals making up about 11% of land use.

For residents, all of this means that one can enjoy a quality of life that is second to none—natural scenic beauty, and a vibrant cultural environment. Also one of the safest communities in South Florida, several Miami Lakes’ schools have maintained high ratings for the past seven years. For businesses, Miami Lakes offers an ideal environment for success. Some of the country’s most respected companies reside here, Johnson & Johnson, Caterpillar, and BankUnited among others, enticed by a highly-educated, skilled, and multilingual workforce.

Our number one goal is to continue with the enhancement of Miami Lakes’ quality of life and unique community feel through visionary land use planning, efficient provision of public facilities and services, protection of neighborhoods, and conservation of the natural assets which define the town.

Quality of Life

The Town of Miami Lakes is dedicated to maintaining a positive town identity

& sense of community

• Make Miami Lakes a highly desirable town in which to live, work and play

• Make Miami Lakes a “full service” community

• Focus on strategic economic development

• Committed to achieving uniform levels of service, beautification, and overall ambiance throughout the entire Town

• Maintain a “small town” environment

• Provide a meaningful and important array of community activities

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Recognitions

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All-America City Finalist 2010 and 2013 In 2013, the Town of Miami Lakes was named an All-America City finalist. The National Civic League recognizes communities each year for outstanding civic accomplishments. To win, each community must demonstrate innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement, and cross sector collaboration by describing successful efforts to address pressing local challenges.

All-America Cities have shown the ability to innovate in such areas as job creation, neighborhood revitalization, crime reduction, improving education, and engaging youth.

Tree City USA Designation - 8th Consecutive YearThe Tree City USA designation is provided by The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service, to recognize environmental improvement and encourage higher levels of tree care throughout America. This award is designed not only to recognize achievement, but also to communicate new ideas and help the leaders of all Tree City USAs plan for improving community tree care.

Growth Award - 6th Consecutive YearThe Tree City USA Growth Award is given to communities that go beyond the four standards of Tree City USA that demonstrate improvement and growth of local tree care.

Being a Tree City USA helps present the kind of image that most citizens want to have for the place they live or conduct business.

Playful City USA Designation - 7th Consecutive YearPlayful City USA is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns that make play a priority and use innovative programs to get children active, playing, and healthy. Playful City USA communities make a commitment to play and physical activity by developing unique local action plans to increase the access to play in their community. In doing so, some of the most innovative concepts and cost-effective programs are being developed in Playful City USA communities.

100 Best Communities for Young PeopleIn 2012, Miami Lakes was honored for its efforts to provide a healthy and safe environment for youth that includes educational support programs. Miami Lakes is dedicated to providing educational and leadership opportunities. The Educational Advisory Board provides scholarships, SAT prep courses, and education programs to youth in the community.

The Town of Miami Lakes optimizes both residential and business taxpayer dollars and leverages resources through federal, state, local and foundation grant funding. The following recognitions give the Town a competitive advantage when applying for grant funding.

2015

Indicator ValuePopulation 29,361Households 10,698Families 7,725Median Age 38.9Percent High School Graduate or Higher 91.1%Percent Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 32.4%Median Household Income $62,034Average Household Size 2.86Occupied Housing Units 10,253Labor Force 15,665

Metropolitan Area IndexNew York, NY 220.7San Francisco, CA 166.0Washington DC 144.4Boston, MA 137.4Los Angeles, CA 135.3Philadelphia, PA 125.5Chicago, IL 114.4Ft. Lauderdale, FL 109.6Miami-Dade County, FL 104.6

Indicator Miami Lakes FloridaMedian Household Income $62,034 $46,229Median Home Price $228,800 $127,900Unemployment 7% 10%

Source: U.S. Census, 2010, SF1.

By The Numbers

Since incorporation in 2000, the Town has experienced significant development which has resulted in a population increase from 22,767 in 2000 to 29,361 in 2010, representing a 29.48% increase.

Growth in Miami Lakes has been bolstered by Miami-Dade County’s competitive cost-of-living index as compared to other major metropolitan areas in the United States.

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Since its incorporation, the Town of Miami Lakes operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The Council-Manager system combines the strong leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed Town Manager.

The Mayor’s seat is elected at-large for a four-year term. As defined in the Town’s Charter, the Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and be a voting member of the Council. The Town Council is vested with all legislative powers of the Town. The Council consists of the Mayor and six members.

Government

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Miami Lakes Government Core Values

Streamlined, People-Friendly, Innovative Government

•Make the Town Government accessible to the public

•Demonstrate a passionate commitment to customer satisfaction

•Recruit and retain empowered employees, who display a can-do, caring attitude, and take professional responsibility for their actions

•Stay focused on efficiency and cost-effectiveness

•Provide localized services with minimum duplication

•Provide effective political and managerial leadership •Make prudent use of cutting-edge technology

•Focus on internet-based, user-friendly, interactive public communication

Since its incorporation, the Town of Miami Lakes operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The Council-Manager system combines the strong leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed Town Manager.

The Mayor’s seat is elected at-large for a four-year term. As defined in the Town’s Charter, the Mayor shall preside at meetings of the Council and be a voting member of the Council. The Town Council is vested with all legislative powers of the Town. The Council consists of the Mayor and six members.

The Town’s economic development goal is to reinforce, strengthen and promote the livability and sustainability of our neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas in the face of the current economic climate and changing needs of the population.

Occupying a land area of approximately 6.5 square miles and conveniently located just 10 miles from Miami International Airport, also bordered by Opa-Locka Airport, and several major interstates, the Town is home to approximately 30,000 residents and over 1,400 businesses.

Town’s current and long range planning efforts have shifted from a primarily growth management role to a larger focus on economic development and redevelopment. This trend is anticipated to continue over the next ten years.

While the economy in South Florida continues to struggle under the effects of the global economic recession, the Town’s per capita income has remained strong and is significantly higher than the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Statistical Area (“Miami-Dade MSA”) and the State of Florida (the “State”). The U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey data indicated that the Town’s per capita income for 2010 was $29,039, while Miami-Dade MSA and the State per capita personal income were $23,750 and $27,151, respectively. The Town has also benefitted from a relatively low unemployment rate. In 2010, the Town’s unemployment rate was 7%, which was significantly lower than the County’s unemployment rate of 13.1% for the same period.

In an effort to assist and promote the continued viability and occupancy of the Town’s commercial and industrial areas, the Town’s Economic Development staff coordinates regularly with local realtors, business owners, developers and property owners to assist in the streamlining of regulatory processes to remove barriers or impediments. These types of activities are essential to encourage and assist new business owners and prospective developers to choose Miami Lakes as their home.

Economic Development

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Business Resources

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Town’s Online Business Directory: wwwMiamiLakesMarketplace.com

The Town of Miami Lakes is working to continue to find ways to promote our local businesses. Recognizing that supporting our local businesses is vital to the economy, the MiamiLakesMarketplace.com is a tool for residents and visitors to discover the many locally-owned businesses that truly make Miami Lakes a special community with a “hometown” feel. The Town’s mobile app Lakes Life and website feature the Miami Lakes Marketplace, an online business directory, free to Miami Lakes businesses. Simply register your business to manage your page to include photos of new merchandise, services or menu items, upcoming events, available job opportunities, and even include weekly coupons!

Be our guest at a monthly Miami Lakes Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

We would also like to extend an invitation to attend a Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. Each month, the Town selects two new businesses to attend the monthly luncheon to sit at the Town’s designated table along with the Director of Communications & Economic Development, Nicole Singletary, and some of the Town’s elected officials. We encourage all new businesses to attend as it is a great opportunity to network and meet the Town’s elected officials.

Market your events on the Town’s Community Calendar www.miamilakes-fl.gov/commcalendar

Promote your business events on the Town’s Community Calendar hosted on the Town’s website and social media pages. The Community calendar features events, meetings and programs held in Miami Lakes that are free, open to the public, and organized by local businesses and non-profit organizations.

Local Business Preference Program

The Town of Miami Lakes seeks to enhance contracting opportunities for local businesses. The Local Business Preference Program targets and gives preference to qualified local businesses in the procurement of goods and services. The local business preference ensures that all local businesses not only have an opportunity to participate in the procurement process, but gives them a competitive advantage in the selection process.

Qualifying businesses must meet the following criteria:

•Must be established and registered with the Town for at least 6 months

•10% of workforce must reside in the Town

•Goods or services must be provided by local office (for companies with multiple offices)

For more information about doing business in Miami Lakes, please contact: Nicole Singletary, (305) 512-7132, or via email at [email protected]. Visit www.miamilakes-fl.gov/bizresources.

Miami Lakes’ tax structure places it in a competitive position with other metropolitan areas. Businesses in Miami Lakes enjoy:

• No local corporate income taxes • No state or local personal income taxes • No property tax on business inventories • No corporate tax on limited partnerships • No property tax on goods in transit for up to 180 days• No sales and use tax on goods manufactured or produced in the state for export outside the state • No sales tax on purchases of raw materials incorporated in a final product for resale • No sales/use tax on boiler fuels • No sales/use tax on co-generation of electricity • No franchise tax on capital stock • Sales tax exemption on labor component of R&D expenditures • Sales/use tax exemption for the entertainment and manufacturing industries

The Town of Miami Lakes is in excellent financial condition, as recognized by Moody’s and Fitch, with an AA rating for the Town’s bond issue. The Town also maintains one of the lowest tax rates in Miami-Dade County. In 2011, the Town distributed $525,000 of unspent funds from the prior fiscal year, which translated into a $75.00 dividend, to all homestead-exempt Town residents. The Town is one of few local governments in the County that has ever returned monies to its residents.

Tax Advantages

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Thanks to an increasingly diversified economy, the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) leads the State of Florida in job growth, and Florida has led the nation in the creation of new jobs for more than 5 years.

Schools in Miami Lakes

Miami Lakes public schools are governed by the Miami-Dade County Public School System. With the fourth largest public school district in the United States and numerous highly regarded institutions for higher learning, the educational resources housed in Miami-Dade County have enabled our community to build a skilled, multilingual workforce.

The following schools have maintained an “A” rating for the past seven years: Miami Lakes K-8 Center, Bob Graham Education Center, and Miami Lakes Educational Center.

Indicator Value

Total Labor Force 15,665

Percent High School graduate or higher 91.1%

Percent Bachelor’s Degree or higher 32.4%

Population 18 to 24 years 2,937

Less than High School graduate 7.6%

High School graduate (includes equivalency) 19.3%

Some college or associate’s degree 51.9%

Bachelor’s degree or higher 21.3%

Population 25 years and over 19,648

Less than 9th grade 5.9%

9th to 12th grade, no diploma 3.0%

High School graduate (includes equivalency) 22.7%

Some college, no degree 22.7%

Associate’s degree 13.3%

Bachelor’s Degree 22.0%

Graduate or professional degree 10.4%

Labor Force

Labor Force Education Level

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Location

The Town of Miami Lakes is located in Northwest Miami-Dade County on both sides of the “big bend” along the Palmetto Expressway. Conveniently located just 16 miles north of Downtown Miami, 10 miles from Miami International Airport, 20 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and adjacent to Opa-Locka Executive Airport; the official boundaries are NW 170th Street and the Palmetto Expressway (SR 826) to the north, NW 138th Street to the south, NW 57th Avenue (Red Road) to the east, and Interstate 75 to the west.

A strong logistics infrastructure complements the enviable geographic position and forms a conduit for a continuous stream of visitors and commerce into the area. Among the most significant competitive strengths includes easy access to Miami International Airport, one of the nation’s busiest cargo and passenger airports; the Port of Miami, the world’s leading cruise port; and a new slate of transportation projects that will advance the economic development potential of the region. With expeditious access to several major interstates, sea and air ports, doing business in Miami Lakes is convenient and made easy.

Miami Lakes Means Business

There are a multitude of resources available to businesses in Miami Lakes designed to foster the expansion of existing companies and attract new businesses. Business dollars go even further in Miami Lakes as the Town maintains one of the lowest tax rates in Miami-Dade County. With Florida’s favorable business tax structure, government policies and competitive costs, it is easy to plan for future growth and ensure that your capital investments will be working for your business.

Business-Friendly Government: Government and economic development leaders work together to ensure the business climate remains favorable to companies of all sizes, including some of the nation’s leading corporations like Merck, BankUnited and Johnson & Johnson.

Competitive Cost of Doing Business: Florida provides cost-efficient alternatives to other competitive high-tech states. Put simply, land, labor, and capital are more affordable here than in California or New York. For businesses in certain targeted industries or specialized locations, additional financial incentives are available.

Pro-Business Tax Structure: Business dollars go a lot further here given the tax advantages, tax exemptions and no state personal income tax. Businesses thrive in this low-tax environment and employees enjoy the benefit of no personal income tax.

Expedited Permitting: We understand that businesses need certainty, predictability and efficiency in government regulations. Both the local and state regulatory agencies and local governments provide quicker, less costly and more predictable permitting processes for significant economic development projects without reducing environmental standards.

Competitive Climate

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Top 5 Reasonsto Do Businessin Miami-Dade

Top 5 ReasonsMiami Lakes

is Even Better

1. Convenient direct air service from Miami International Airport to all major destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean – more flights to the region than any other U.S. airport

2. A central location in the Western Hemisphere and in the Eastern time zone, facilitating communications with Europe and the western United States

3. Excellent business climate with no local or state personal income tax

4. Skilled multilingual, multicultural workforce

5. High quality of life with a wide range of housing options, year-round outdoor recreational activities, renowned cultural institutions and four major professional sports teams

1. One of the lowest property & business taxes in Miami-Dade County

2. Lowest Flood Insurance Costs in South Florida

3. One of the safest communities to live in the State

4. More parks per 1,000 residents than any other municipality in the State

5. One of the few communities in South Florida that maintains a “hometown” atmosphere

Lakes Life

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Mobile App!“LAKES LIFE”

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