Upgrading

Florida Trend, Apr 2008 by Crane, Charlotte

Transportation improvements, water and sewer system extensions in rural counties and access to better healthcare are big issues for leaders across the Big Bend region - and are recognized as key to meeting the No. 1 need:

"We have a desperate need for quality jobs," says Rick Breer, director of economic development in Taylor County, where last year's three anticipated economic megaboosters - an advanced-technology coal-fired power plant, a downtown redevelopment project and a multimillion waterfront plan - are either canceled, delayed or looking tenuous.

Numerous rural communities are handicapped by a lack of infrastructure to attract business. In Madison County - which lost 475 jobs when Smithfield Packing closed in late 2006 - the county spent $8 million putting water and sewer at three interchanges along Interstate 10, a project that's already netted two travel-stop businesses. "They wouldn't have built without water and sewage being available," says county coordinator Allen Cherry.

What Tallahassee needs most is workforce training, says Economic Development Council Executive Director Beth Kirkland - "programs at the community college and university level to provide that pipeline of workers for the existing and growth sectors we're involved with, like biotech, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing and aviation." While Florida's capital city feels the economic slowdown less severely than the rest of the region - Tallahassee metro area unemployment rate in January was a low 3.3% - it hasn't escaped the housing crunch. Leon County residential building permits issued last year, at 1,113, were the fewest since 1985.

POPULATION TREND

Three Big Bend counties last year grew by percentages larger than the state's gain: Wakulla, up 5%; Columbia, 4.1%; and Gilchrist, 2.3%. Still, because of the small size of the region's 11 counties, overall growth added only 7,523 residents. Leon is the only county with more than 70,000 people; five counties each have fewer than 20,000 residents. While no counties lost population, only five had a growth rate exceeding their most-recent five-year average. Minuscule in-migration and the slowing economy are reflected in home sales, down 22% across the region. Home sales declined more than 30% in Columbia, Suwannee and Taylor counties.

TALLAHASSEE / LEON COUNTY

The state capital's role in cushioning the economy could be less comforting this year as government revenue and budgets take a dive. Continuing economic diversification is paramount, leaders say.

"I think we have a good start in developing a technology corridor here," says Ron Sachs, CEO of Ron Sachs Communications and this year's Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce chairman. "We are also at the front edge of the green movement, Some are talking about a green business corridor here, producing products and services to help neighborhoods to greenify themselves."

Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College will help attract advanced-technology manufacturers. TCC is creating an advanced materials program to train workers in handling the composite manufacturing materials being developed by FSU's High Performance Materials Institute.

Randy Hanna, last year's Chamber of Commerce chairman, was also a sparkplug for Our Region Tomorrow, a long-range economic development and environmental initiative partially funded by a $200,000 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation grant. The program spans eight adjoining Florida counties and Thomas County in Georgia. "We want to encourage governments to think across county lines ... (and) to develop a long-range vision," says Hanna, managing partner of the law firm of Bryant, Miller and Olive. "When businesses look at this area, they don't see a difference between Tallahassee or Quincy or Monticello, but they're interested in the region as a whole."

HAMILTON / SUWANNEE / MADISON COUNTIES

Hamilton County is breaking ground this spring on a new industrial park, where Maronda Homes will build a roof truss plant, which will eventually employ 100.

Shovel-ready industry sites are the No. 1 need in Suwannee County, followed by workforce training and other infrastructure to attract high-wage jobs.

LAFAYETTE / COLUMBIA COUNTIES

Business is growing in Lafayette, says Chamber of Commerce President Jim Hollis, citing a new bank and sandwich shop, plus his own plans to open a restaurant in Mayo in addition to his scuba dive business. "We don't worry about the economy," says Hollis. "We just open it up and let it grow."

Columbia County is adding jobs through new distribution businesses. Target is slated to open a 150-to-200 employee distribution center this summer, and United States Cold Storage will employ 35 to 50 in its first-phase facility opening this spring. Meanwhile, the housing slowdown resulted in some 80 layoffs at two area manufactured-housing plants.

JEFFERSON / GADSDEN / WAKULLA COUNTIES

"We need to diversify, but under-performing schools, a low tax base, poor land-use planning and limited funds to address increased demands on infrastructure make it difficult," says Julie Conley, executive director of the Jefferson County Economic Development Council. "As a rural county, the pressure of growth and urbanization all around us is a big issue." One progressive step: The county will expand roads and water and sewer infrastructure in the county industrial park.