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MELIA BOWIEThe county is faring better than much of the state, and officials say fresh investment helped create 46 new jobs just last month.
LAND O'LAKES - Although Pasco County might be faring better than much of the rest of the state during challenging economic times, those steering the county's economic growth are suffering some pangs.
On Tuesday, members of the Pasco Economic Development Council said goodbye to one of their five employees after budget cuts eliminated workforce specialist Tony Haley's position. Private fund-raising goals are also falling short.
"We definitely feel it," PEDC director Mary Jane Stanley said of the downturn.
For more than two years Haley worked with the PEDC via a grant from the Pasco-Hernando Jobs and Education Regional Workforce Board.
"They had a substantial reduction in their allocation from the state," Stanley said noting a $1.5-million drop, a 21 percent reduction.
Since May 2001 Haley helped promote the council, foster relationships between businesses and potential employees with Career Central and was working to develop an apprenticeship program.
Much of Haley's work was dedicated to "improving the image of Pasco as being more than a bedroom community but also a business community," he said after thanking the council for its support.
Shrinking dollars continue to affect PEDC efforts to raise $25,000 needed to meet a private fundraising goal of $133,000 by September.
"Right now we're a little bit behind that," said PEDC board member Richard Balkcom, who acts as investor relations liaison. "But in light of the economic climate, we're holding up. What we're encouraging is that people not just give us their money but their wisdom . . . and ideas."
The economic development council is a public-private venture. Sixty percent of its funding comes from the county, totaling about $350,000 this year. The rest comes from investors or members.
"What we saw this year was because of the times several large investors cut down their donations," Stanley said.
But there are success stories as well, officials said. New businesses are moving to the area and existing ones are expanding.
On Tuesday, the council said the past month had brought to Pasco 46 new jobs, $4-million in capital investment and nearly 32,000 in new square footage from companies such as Florida Design Consultants. The engineering firm is consolidating its Clearwater and New Port Richey offices into one site at Longleaf.
Despite challenges, "we're still marketing the county and promoting Pasco," Stanley said.
- Melia Bowie covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com