Gov Bush Awards Rural Devel Grant to Regional Economic Devel Organization [How Jeb Helps Rural FL]

www.myflorida.com ^ | July 11, 2002 | www.myflorida.com

[summer]

Gov. Bush: "Job creation and economic
prosperity are the corner stones of this important grant
as we support these north Florida counties and their efforts."

Gov Bush Awards Rural Development Grant to Regional Economic Development Organization

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 11, 2002

Contact:
Lisa Gates
(850) 488-5394
or David Bishop
(850) 487-2568

TALLAHASSEE -- Governor Jeb Bush today awarded the Northwest Business Development Council, doing business as Opportunity Florida, Inc., a $100,000 Regional Rural Development Grant. The grant is to promote economic development in Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Liberty, Jackson, and Washington counties. Governor Bush declared all eight counties a "Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern" in 2000.

"This grant compliments the significant work that Opportunity Florida has done to increase economic development opportunities in this rural Panhandle region," said Governor Bush. "Job creation and economic prosperity are the corner stones of this important grant as we support these north Florida counties and their efforts."

Since its creation in 2000, Opportunity Florida has laid the groundwork for what should be an economically productive year for north Florida. The organization completed an underemployment survey, developed both an existing industry strategy and investment/recruitment plan and provided technical assistance to local governments and economic development organization within the region.

"By awarding this rural development grant, Governor Bush is helping our eight rural counties to build a better future for our children," said Richard Williams, executive director, Opportunity Florida. "The assistance we will be able to provide because of this grant will result in more jobs and a brighter future for the Opportunity Florida region."

The positive impact of Opportunity Florida Inc. was exemplified last week when the Florida Economic Development Council honored its member, the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, with the "Deal of the Year" award for work in locating a Georgia Pacific project in the county. This award-winning project will eventually employ 120 people, and make a capital investment of more than $90 million.

Since taking office in 1999, Governor Bush has strived to put rural Florida on a more competitive footing with the rest of the state. Among many rural-based initiatives, the Governor created the "Rural Areas of Critical Economic Concern" which provides rural areas with greater access to the state's economic development incentive programs. Governor Bush also created the Rural Infrastructure Fund, which to date, has helped create nearly 1,300 jobs and retain another 500.

The Governor's commitment to assist distressed communities, by helping them develop more economically, has led to 25 Economic Development Transportation (Road Fund) grants being awarded to rural communities--totaling almost $23 million and creating almost 4,000 jobs. During that same period, the Governor's Office approved Qualified Target Industry awards totaling just over $11 million, to 19 companies, creating almost 2,000 rural area jobs.

[summer]

From what I have read on the many "land-grab" threads here on FR, as I understand it, one of the concerns is that the government is allegedly forcing everyone who currently lives in rural areas to relocate into cities -- but, as the above evidences again -- this is NOT what is happening in FL.

Here in FL, Gov. Bush is trying to preserve rural communities, and is bringing more economic development out there, to those rural people, so their communities can remain intact, prosper, provide more jobs to people, and continue to exist as a community.

This strategy by Gov. Bush, and his committment to these rural areas, is not the same as other governors, based on what I have read here on FR and elsewhere. I hope some people who are committed to helping rural folks throughout the country will take note that here in FL we have a governor who does care about this isse.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

For index.

[summer]

FYI! :)

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks, friend.

[summer]

JH2, Thank you so much for taking a look. I do not have any inside info or scoop to report to you, but common sense tells me this is a governor who would listen to the concerns of FL citizens worried about the impact of the Everglades Restoration project -- and, my hope and guess is that he would do what he can to help them, just as he has already helped many others in FL's rural areas. Thanks again. :)

[summer]

For FL folks -- especially those residing in rural areas --
FYI. :)

[summer]

RE my post #1, last sentence -- I meant: ....who does care about this issue.

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[MinuteGal]

Jeb bumps....(and rocks, too!)

Leni

[summer]

BTTT! :)

[summer]

Thought you might find this of interest. Of course, I realize I could be wrong. :)

[FreeTally]

Thanks for the ping. I work in most of all those counties listed. Nothing is happening in all except Franklin County, and there, its only on the coast near Carrabelle, Apalachicola and St. George Island.

I don't know how much this $100,000 grant is going to help, or what exactly it is supposed to help. I wish there was more information as to what the money is actually for.

[PeterPrinciple]

I hate to say it but most (all?) government grants are not effective. Would be willing to change my mind if someone can post a good case study to the contrary.

Case in point is all the brochures and publications developed by extension service that no one reads but everyone collects and really looks good in the reports when it is said we gave out so many publication and need more money to give out more publications that no one reads.

[summer]

Thanks for your post. Additional recent information from the Gov. Bush's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development (OTTD) can be found HERE.

If you visit this link, check out these topics pertaining to rural economic development:

Governor Bush Welcomes New Minute Maid Facility to Polk County June 28, 2002

Governor Bush Awards Rural Grant to Assist Taylor County With Coastal Wastewater Treatment Facility June 20, 2002

Governor Bush Awards Infrastructure Grant to County of Rural Economic Concern June 14, 2002

Governor Bush Congratulates Okaloosa County on Recieving $1.7 Million Dollar Federal Grant May 24, 2002

Governor Bush Approves Hendry County enterprise Zone Boundary May 22, 2002

Governor Bush Awards Sebring Airport Authority Rural Community Development Revolving Loan May 16, 2002

Governor Applauds Partnership by Tourism and Agriculture Industries to Promote the Sunshine State April 15, 2002

Governor Bush Announces "Road Fund" Grand To Help Create 267 New Jobs In Jacksonville March 28, 2002

Governor Bush Attends Grand Opening of Distribution Center In Rural Florida County March 27, 2002

Governor Bush Releases the Results of Enterprise Zone Annual Report March 21, 2002

Governor Bush Designates 13 New Enterprise Zones March, 20, 2002

Governor Bush Awards Rural Infrastructure Grant To City of Greenville March 12, 2002

Governor Bush Honors the Community of Harlem as Florida's Outstanding Rural Community of 2001 January 7, 2002

[summer]

I meant: ...from Gov. Bush's Office...

[summer]

Also, that March 28th info about Jacksonville, which is not rural, concerns an area on the outskirts of the city.

[summer]

FYI, and see posts #1 and #16. Of course, I realize you may not be interested. If not, my apologies for the ping! :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Bush/economy bump!