Comm. Valentino singled out St. Lucia as “Recognized Winner” (page 4). In my research online, it appears the key to the revitalization of the St. Lucia economy was that in 1996 the U.S. Government gave St. Lucia $242 million package of which $104 million was used to build infrastructure and help diversify the economy. I can’t find anything on an Economic Development Commission.
Here is how Escambia County and St. Lucia compare:
Size
St Lucia: 378 sq. miles.
Escambia County: 662 sq. miles.
Population:
St. Lucia: 166,312
Escambia County: 302,939
Government:
St. Lucia : Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Davis: Part of Commonwealth
Escambia County: Marie Young, BOCC chair; Part of United States
Main Newspapers
St. Lucia: The Voice, The Star, The St Lucia Mirror, The Crusader, One Caribbean
Escambia County: News Journal, Independent News, Pensacola Voice, American Classifieds
Education:
St. Lucia: Adult literacy–94.8%.
Escambia County: Adult literacy—88%
Health:
St. Lucia: Infant mortality rate–12/1,000
Escambia County: Infant mortality—9.5/1,000; Blacks–14.1/1,000, White–7.8/1,000
Unemployment:
St. Lucia:15.7%
Escambia County:5.9%
Economy
St. Lucia:GDP–$899 million.
Escambia County:GDP–$722 million
St. Lucia’s economy depends primarily on revenue from tourism and banana production, with some contribution from small-scale manufacturing.
Escambia County: Economy built around tourism, military and industrial–Paper, Nylon, Electric power.
Not sure why Commissioner Valentino thinks St. Lucia is a “Winner” and pertains to Escambia County.