Business Buzz
So, what else does Opportunity Florida do?
by Rick Marcum, Executive Director, Opportunity Florida
If you read my last article, you now know that the eight counties of Opportunity Florida can more easily offer economic development incentives than other counties. Incentives are important, but one of our true strengths is in our numbers. In the past, the largest voice of the eight counties was either Jackson or Gadsden with populations approaching 50,000 each. But when the eight county voice of Opportunity Florida speaks now . . . we represent close to 200,000 people. Yes, we now have a bigger stick, and that really counts when we solicit the Florida Legislature with our economic concerns and issues.
An example came last year, when Franklin County, one of the Opportunity Florida member counties, had a real worry as cutbacks in the Florida Department of Agriculture would lay off the aquaculture oyster inspectors. The USDA soon announced that, unless Florida oysters underwent an inspection process, they could not leave the state. Obviously, the leadership of Franklin County went to Tallahassee voicing their
concerns . . . but they also had seven other counties, and the combined 200,000 or so voices made a bit more noise. Result . . . the inspection process was saved. Would it have happened without the seven other counties? Maybe . . . but who wants to find out. Not me.
If one looks closely at the eight counties, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington, there is both great commonality, as well as great diversity among them. But it seems, with each passing month, the representatives from each county leading Opportunity Florida’s efforts become more and more aware of their neighbors and their needs than they were the previous month, and vice versa. We are building a regional voice. No, we don’t always see eye to eye, but the circle of common ground is growing larger.
Finding common ground is just one of the missions of Opportunity Florida. One thing the eight counties do have in common is the desire to proactively make some things happen to enhance our region’s economic growth. And to that end we have! I will bring to you a fairly impressive list of accomplishments of the organization in some later articles.
If you want to know more about each county between now and then, go to our Web site at www.opportunityflorida.com. We have links to all the region’s newspapers . . . their news and classified sections. Take a look . . . you might want to see what’s going on around our region.
Holmes County Chamber announces new local businesses
• Dollar General opened a new location on Hwy. 90 in Bonifay the latter part of July. The 9,000 sq. ft. store employs eight, with a capital investment of over $360,000 to the community.
• Al and Cynthia Grinde, assisted by their son, Brian Joseph, and friend, Leighan Bush, opened Railroad Bar-b-que and Ice Cream Parlor Friday, July 9, at 301 South Waukesha Street in Bonifay. The 1,500 sq.ft. restaurant seats 49 and features delicious barbeque pork, chicken and ribs, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chili dogs, ice-cold Blue Bell ice cream and more. The restaurant employs eight and is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Grindes plan to offer delivery in the future. For additional information, call 547-1222.
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