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Highlands Today

Charlie Crist Launches 'Accelerate Florida' Plan

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Special to Highlands Today

Published: August 24, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Charlie Crist told state agencies to speed up billions of dollars in approved construction and capital outlay projects through expedited approval and contracting. The projects will boost Florida's economy by creating thousands of jobs while improving roads, schools, parks and waterways.

"Going back 10 years and moving into the current budget year, we have $28.6 billion in unspent construction dollars for new classrooms, better roads and needed water projects," Crist said. "Now is the time to make sure all of these projects are moving forward as quickly as possible."

Crist also directed agencies to promote less intrusive, more effective government by identifying burdensome regulation and barriers to job creation.

Crist announced his "Accelerate Florida: Extending Florida's Economic Horizons" economic stimulus plan during a meeting with Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, leaders of state agencies and business representatives.

"I am directing the state agencies under my purview to start turning dirt on projects that have already been funded by the Legislature and to identify and remove any obstacles that might be hindering these construction projects from getting under way," Crist said. "My instructions represent an aggressive strategy for strengthening Florida's economy and thoroughly examining our options for the future."

"Florida is feeling the effects of the economic adjustments that are impacting the nation, and we must listen to what business owners and industry leaders have to say," Crist said. "These challenging economic conditions require us to join together to aggressively focus available resources on activities that keep Floridians employed and move our economy forward."

Two construction projects at South Florida Community College have been funded. One involves the Lake Placid Center and the second is the auditorium on the Avon Park campus.

The two-story building in Lake Placid will be refurbished with the classrooms scheduled to upgrades and new air conditioning installed. Work on the $2 million project is expected to begin Nov. 1, according to Glenn Little, vice president of administrative services at the college.

The SFCC Auditorium project involves replace the seating and a balcony addition. A total of $6 million has been allocated, but the cost will be $10 million, Little said.

Construction is slated to start in early April of next year.

Little noted that local subcontractors are encouraged to submit proposals.

Crist also called on Thomas Pelham, Secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, and Chuck Drago, Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, to expedite approval of projects so that construction can begin as soon as possible and to streamline procedures to reduce the negative impact of regulation. The governor directed agencies to review statutes, rules, procedures and forms to ensure that:

•Regulation is exercised only to the extent necessary to ensure the public is protected.

•Professions, occupations, and businesses are regulated in a manner that does not restrict entry into the practice of the profession, occupation, or business, or limit the availability of services to the public.

•Regulation does not have an unreasonable affect on job creation or job retention, or place unreasonable restrictions on individuals finding employment.

•Regulation is cost-effective and has favorable economic impact, including the indirect costs to consumers.

Crist's announcement follows the bad news that Florida's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 6.1 percent, the highest since 1995.

The percentage of unemployed in Highlands County last month was 7.8 percent.

According to Heartland Workforce, it has been nine years since the unemployment rate in Highlands was higher than 7.8 percent.

In July1999, it was 9.1 percent and 9. 4 percent in August.

The annual average unemployment rates in Highlands County for the past seven years:

2001 - 5.1 percent, 2002 - 5.9 percent, 2003 - 5.6 percent, 2004 - 5.1 percent, 2005 - 4.3 percent, 2006 - 3.9 percent and 2007 - 4.8 percent.

"As most economists predict, it will be many more months before we see a marked improvement," said Roger Hood, president and CEO of Heartland Workforce. "But I am optimistic our local economy will improve back to the positive numbers."

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