Economic tour hits bay area

About 50 people weigh in on the state's efforts to draft an economic development plan.

By KYLE PARKS

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 23, 2000

TAMPA -- Plenty of grand ideas were tossed around Thursday at a public hearing for input on Florida's new five-year economic development plan.

Provide more high-tech training for Florida workers, people said. Offer more incentives for growing companies, whether they're moving to the state or already here. And get the word out that Florida is a place to do business.

The hearing at the University of South Florida attracted about 50 people, including county economic development recruiters, a state legislator and representatives from such companies as TECO Energy Inc., GTE Corp. and Group Technologies Corp.

And many of their ideas may end up in the new strategic plan, which will be sent to Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature in January. The idea is to focus the state's priorities as it tries to grow its economy and attract higher-quality jobs.

But as state officials put the plan together, there's one overriding concern: Will it really matter?

State funding to address many of the issues discussed Thursday was shot down this spring. Gov. Bush slashed training funds for the state's new work force agency, while the Legislature gave no new money for a tax-incentive program that has helped convince companies such as Chase Manhattan and Capital One Financial Corp. to expand in Tampa.

"There has to be consistency by the state, both in policy and investment," said Robin Ronne, economic development director for the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. "You can come up with all kinds of ideas, but funding is the driving element."

The hope is that the strategic plan, the first of its type in Florida, will help win over the governor and the Legislature, said Pam Dana, director of the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development.

"We can't say we have all the answers, but this will focus attention on what needs to be done," she said. "We need to do a better job of communicating why these things are important."

The state's work force development and economic development efforts have plenty of skeptics in Tallahassee; critics say efforts have been inefficient and disorganized.

In response, Bush moved work force tasks to a new partnership called Workforce Florida Inc. this year and has narrowed the focus of the Enterprise Florida economic development group.

"If there's more credibility, that will help sell the ideas," said state Rep. Ken Littlefield, R-Dade City. "And you have to avoid the word "funding.' We don't react well to that word -- it has welfare connotations. But if it's pitched as an investment, that's different."

At Thursday's five-hour hearing, participants had wide-ranging discussions about what the state and Tampa Bay area can do differently. There also was talk about how Tampa Bay area counties need to work more closely together. Recruiters from different counties have bumped into each other in foreign countries, with neither knowing the other would be there.

It will be easy to frame general recommendations in such areas as transportation and water supply, said John Anderson, president of Enterprise Florida, which is putting the report together. The tougher part is including enough specifics to make the exercise meaningful.

As an example of the challenges, attendees at a Tallahassee public hearing on the plan complained that high workers' compensation costs hurt them as they compete with Georgia and Alabama. The plan could simply suggest "lower workers' compensation costs," but that wouldn't be very useful.

The other option: offer specific remedies. But that could get tricky, because one of the state's most powerful business lobbyists, Associated Industries of Florida, will have input on the plan and is sure to suggest its own ideas.

"We want to hear from as many people as possible, but that does carry its own risks," Anderson said.

Enterprise Florida is holding seven hearings around the state. A survey has been sent to about 500 business leaders statewide. People also can offer ideas on the initiative's Web site (www.floridapartners.com), and a task force of business and economic development leaders will have a say. Enterprise Florida's board will create the final product.

"What needs to happen from here is a five-year plan for the budget," said Charles Ohlinger, executive director of the Florida Council of 100, a prestigious group of state business leaders. "Every year, the process starts from scratch, and there's just no continuity."

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