Independent News‘Escambia County’ Archives
The Economic Development Question
Does the Escambia County Commission want to create the PEDA - Pensacola Economic Development Authority - or any government body to control and handle day-to-day operations of economic development in the county? Yes or No. Commissioner Gene Valentino's motion should be "I move that the [...]
Nodine misstated private commitment
Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nodine misstated the private sector's commitment to economic development. He said it was $10 million commitment over two years. The program called Partners for Growth is a five-year commitment. 80 Mobile area businesses have pledged $9.24 million over five [...]
Lee’s Summit EDC close to Chamber plan
One of Gene Valentino's experts was Jim Devine, president/CEO of Lee's Summit (MO) Economic Development Council. It is a public-private partnership with the business community providing significant dollars....sounds like the Chamber concept. Its public and utility members include: • City of [...]
No need for PEDC review, only one decision
Economic Development hinges on one decision that only the Escambia County Commission can make: Should Valentino's PEDA (Pensacola Escambia Development Authority that has the commissioners appointing themselves or personal representatives) be in charge of economic development? All the other [...]
Valentino/Birdwell strategy
Their strategy is clear--delay voting on economic development as long as possible in hopes of building a ground swell against the Chamber. Yes, against the Chamber, not for Commissioner Valentino's vague proposal. It's clear in Valentino's comments that his issue is with the Chamber. A very [...]
Commissioner Valentino’s comments
The BOCC referred the economic development to the PEDC for further discussion. Here are Commissioner Valentino's comments on today's meeting (the emphasis is his): I’m excited and grateful that the dialogue and engaging conversation surrounding economic dev and the future of it will continue [...]
Valentino show
Commissioner Gene Valentino presented his "plan" to the Escambia County Commission. Jane Birdwell worked the PowerPoint presentation and coached the commissioner during the meeting. Valentino led a series of "experts" through conference calls. GV had prepared questions that he led the callers to [...]
Sen. Nelson is coming
U.S. Senator Bill Nelson will hold a press conference today at 3 p.m. at Plaza de Luna at the end of Palafox. He is holding a series of press conferences along Northwest Florida to lambast a plan that would open up the Gulf of Mexico to oil drilling.
Charter commission sets public hearing
This is a big week for local government. On Tuesday, June 16, at 9 a.m., the Escambia County Commission will discuss economic development at its Committee of the Whole. The hockey lease and a funding request for Gulf Coast Aerospace Defense (which was tabled on May 14) are also on the agenda. [...]
County may drop longevity pay
Escambia County is looking for $17.1 million in budget cuts. County Budget director Amy Lovoy has made these recommendations to the BOCC: -- Eliminate longevity pay after Sept. 30, 2009. Those already receiving longevity raises would continue at their current rate. Currently county employees get [...]
Nuclear power coming to Escambia County?
Is Gulf Power planning to build a nuclear power plant in north Escambia County? William Reynolds of NorthEscambia.com thinks its possible. The electric utility has spent over $2.1 million to date to purchase about 550 acres in the Cox and Roach Road areas and another 55 acres nearby along the [...]
Escambia County Community Land Trust
What is it? Who is it? Found a December 2005 Florida Trend article by Charlotte Crane. "In 2003, three businessmen incorporated the Escambia County Community Land Trust to develop housing to help relieve a shortage of affordable homes for the county's low- and moderate-income residents." The [...]