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Industry week to celebrate EDC
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
© St. Petersburg Times, CRYSTAL RIVER -- The kickoff of Industry Appreciation Week next week will give the Economic Development Council something extra to celebrate. In addition to recognizing the contributions made by local businesses, the Industry Appreciation events will highlight the EDC's restructuring efforts, which won a historic 5-0 backing last month from the County Commission. With a new funding agreement in place, EDC interim executive director Brett Wattles said, "We can have a more far-reaching outlook than in the past. It's a very clear message now that we've achieved better stability." Wattles will share more of that message Sept. 21 as the guest speaker of the Industry Appreciation Awards Luncheon, which starts at noon at Andre's of Citrus Hills. Tickets for the event are $15 and must be purchased by Friday. Call the EDC at 795-2000 for information. "We'd like to give people an insight into where we are now as an organization, how we plan to move forward and what we'll be looking to accomplish in the upcoming year," Wattles said. The luncheon, sponsored by Florida Power Corp., will also include presentations to this year's outstanding small business, outstanding employer/corporate citizen, and person of the year. Although it is now a statewide event, Industry Appreciation Week traces its roots to a 1983 celebration in Citrus County that recognized Florida Power and other major employers. Over the years, the festivities in Citrus County have grown to include the awards luncheon, an after-hours mixer and the EDC's fundraising barbecue. This year's events kick off with the after-hours mixer Sept. 18. The mixer runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Regions Bank in Beverly Hills, 3719 N Lecanto Highway (County Road 491). The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce and the Homosassa Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will host the event. The EDC has pushed its annual barbecue back to Nov. 15 to take advantage of the cooler weather and avoid conflicts with other events, barbecue coordinator Dave Hutchins said. "It's so hot in September, and last year it was particularly hot," he said. The barbecue, traditionally the EDC's main fundraiser, will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at the H.C.R. Limestone Ranch. Tickets bought up to one week before the event will be $20, while all other tickets will be $30. Both prices are significantly down from last year -- $35 in advance and $40 at the door -- in an effort to draw a greater crowd, Hutchins said. "With the price down, we're hoping to have more than 500 people turn out," he said. "People have always told us, 'The ticket prices are too high.' Now we've lowered them, and we'll see if the people come out."
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