FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance CEO Chris Platé delivered an update to the Escambia County Commission at its Committee of the Whole on Thursday, Oct. 2, outlining the organization’s strategic direction for fostering economic growth.
Ten Months of Transformation
Platé, who has been at the helm for ten months, described his tenure in three phases: discovery, repair, and development.
- “Over the 10 months, it’s really been broken up into three phases,” Platé explained. “There was the discovery phase, the sort of repair phase—the organization needed some fixing, and then now we’re moving into the development stage.”
The CEO reiterated FloridaWest’s core mission: “Our alliance exists to grow and diversify our economy of the county, of the city and as well as the town of Century by fostering business retention and expansion first, then recruitment and aligning those resources to create high-paying jobs.”
Strategic Focus Areas: FloridaWest has identified four key industry sectors for targeted development: aerospace, life sciences, maritime, and cyber/AI.
- The organization has reorganized its staff structure, adding Ashley Saba as the new Business Development Director and repositioning Danita Andrews to work exclusively with existing industries. According to the FloridaWest website, the remaining staff includes Tabitha Lee, Economic Development Specialist; Patrick Rooney, Entrepreneurial Development Director; and Annie Rose, CO:LAB Operations Manager.
Return on Investment: In the most recent fiscal year, FloridaWest announced five projects generating 280 jobs with a collective investment of $88 million. Since 2014, the organization has facilitated 68 projects, representing nearly $1 billion in investment, which have created approximately 9,000 jobs and generated over $500 million in new annual wages for the community.
- “For every dollar the county gets back $4 and 44 cents,” Platé reported. “There’s not much that you can invest in that would generate that return for the community.”
Commissioners Raise Key Questions and Concerns
Workforce Development and Local Jobs
Commissioner Lumon May raised questions about aligning economic development with workforce training. “If we don’t align our economic development strategies and goals with our educational pipeline of training, we will continue to create jobs where we have to bring people outside the area,” May stated.
- He wants FloridaWest to create opportunities for local residents. “I’d really like to tie down real prospects with real training, and that gives real hope.”
May also stressed the importance of small business development. “If someone could create five jobs in Brownsville, that would be a win for me. If someone created five jobs in Montclair, that would be a win for me.”
Manufacturing Engagement and Wage Standards
Commissioner Steven Barry inquired about the manufacturer’s council, which had been active with participation from eight to ten large local employers. Platé acknowledged the need to revive this local leadership group and confirmed plans to recreate it.
Wage Standards
Commissioner Steve Stroberger highlighted Foiling Week as more than just a sporting event, calling it “an economic development tool” and “a global branding opportunity for Pensacola and Escambia County.”
He questioned wage targets. “I just don’t want us to start out as the China of manufacturing here.”
Platé assured commissioners that companies would “be paying market rate within a multi-state area” and that the county is “definitely not low-balling this community by any means.”
Infrastructure and Federal Property
Chair Mike Kohler pressed for specifics on salary goals and project metrics, while emphasizing the critical importance of military installations to the local economy. “We have a community with the Department of War and the base that brings $6.6 billion into the economy. If we lose any of that, your job’s going to get really difficult.”
Kohler also inquired about potential public-private partnerships on federal installations, such as Saufley Field and Bronson Field, with Platé confirming FloridaWest’s participation in those discussions.
Development Strategy
Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger questioned whether the county should focus on building spec buildings or maintaining shovel-ready sites. Platé recommended a balanced approach: “I think we need to do both. The speculative adds opportunity for those companies that need to move quick… But for the long-term strategy, those bigger companies that are going to come in… you have to have land for those projects.”
Hofberger also suggested bringing CareerSource EscaRosa and the school board together to discuss comprehensive workforce development, with May expressing support for the collaborative approach.
Development Projects in the Pipeline
Multiple properties are in various stages of development. Tech Park has completed geotech studies and appraisals, with the nine-acre property valued at $6.1 million. Central Commerce Park is being redesigned to accommodate larger lots suitable for buildings ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 square feet, with three projects currently under consideration.
- The Bluffs development is moving forward with biddable documents for a roundabout, while Midtown Industrial Park plans include a community asset to memorialize the displaced community alongside new job creation opportunities.
FloridaWest’s goals for the coming year include completing building concepts at Tech Park, designing the community asset at Midtown, moving forward with Central Commerce Park development, and meeting with every existing industry. The organization aims to generate 48 new projects annually—four per month—representing an increase from the current 32 projects in the pipeline.
Platé acknowledged the importance of workforce development, citing plans for a comprehensive wage survey to better understand manufacturing wages, benefits, training needs, and labor pool locations. He emphasized targeting jobs at or above the county average salary of approximately $50,000.
- “We’re in the beginning of the process,” Platé concluded, invoking former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s famous phrase: “Trust the process.”
Commissioner May had the final word, reminding everyone of the ultimate goal: “At the end of the day, this is all great, but when we put people on jobs is what citizens expect.”