No new ideas at economic development workshop

Brooksville, Fla.- The economic development workshop illustrated an urgent need for county officials to be pro-active to attract new business to Hernando County.

For years economic experts warned Hernando County would become a bedroom community without a manufacturing and industrial job base.   The construction trades and home-based real estate business are struggling in the sluggish economy.  The discussion of panel members from business organizations and local government centered on programs already in place, not new ideas to improve economic conditions.

Pat Crowley, CEO of Hernando County Chamber of Commerce reviewed the Small Business Development Center with Valerie Pianta of Hernando County Office of Business and Development.  The program is offered free for start-up business advice with Jerry Karp, a certified business analyst from University of South Florida.

"Pat,what programs are in place to help existing businesses in our county, " Commissioner David Russell asked.

"Existing business usually wait until they are in dire straits before coming in for help," Crowley said.

Len Tria of Hernando Progress presented a short video from Hernando Summit.  In order to make Hernando County more competitive, it needs a more qualified workforce and market ready jobs,  according to Gregory Burkhart who was a guest speaker at the Summit.

According to Burkhart, Hernando County was not market ready.  In his opinion, it lacks a qualified workforce and infrastructure to be more competitive.  An electrical substation was noted by Burkhart as a immediate need to attracting industrial business to the Ridge Manor area.

Expansion of  electrical service with local power companies will  require agreements with new or expanding business service to cover associated costs.

Local business owner, Jesse Simms, of Composite Motors lamented on the lack of qualified workers.  He served on the original task force with Dr. Sanders to implement the curriculum for Nature Coast High School ten years ago.

"In hindsight, the county needs mechanical and electrical engineering classes for future job growth," Simms said, as he referred to his prior influence on Sanders' task force.