WHITE SPRINGS – This week, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Executive Director Jesse Panuccio and community leaders celebrated the achievements and progress in economic development made by the City of Port St. Joe and the Town of White Springs with assistance from DEO’s Competitive Florida Partnership. On Monday in the City of Port St. Joe and today in the Town of White Springs, community leaders highlighted progress and future economic development planning for both areas. DEO community planning experts prepared Asset Mapping Reports that identify top assets in each community, specific areas for improvement, and recommendations.  These reports will be posted on the Competitive Florida website. The communities will consider the report as part of the Action Plan to promote economic development in the area.

“One of DEO’s critical missions is to help local communities plan for growth and economic development,” said DEO Executive Director Jesse Panuccio. “Through the Competitive Florida Partnership, DEO’s land planning and economic development experts work with a community to enhance their strengths, address weaknesses, and develop a plan for long-term growth. We thank the community leaders of Port St. Joe and White Springs for their hard work and dedication to improving their community.”

Competitive Florida is targeted technical assistance that helps communities map their strengths and identify what makes them unique, then identify opportunities and improvements that fit within their character for greater economic and community development. Understanding the power of collaboration, this program builds an active network of passionate community leaders who share ideas, establish best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences.

“I am proud of the work accomplished by the communities of North Florida to grow their economy, better their community, and improve the lives of the residents. The Competitive Florida program has helped coordinate these efforts and highlighted what makes this part of Florida truly special. I look forward to their future accomplishments,” said Senator Bill Montford.

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the leaders and citizens of City of Port St. Joe for taking an active role improving your community and growing our economy. Thank you to DEO for their expertise and assistance through the Competitive Florida Partnership for this community. I look forward to hearing about and participating in future economic development plans for this wonderful community,” said Representative Halsey Beshears.

“I offer my congratulations and thanks to the Town of White Springs for their commitment to economic growth and for participating in DEO’s Competitive Florida Partnership. The asset mapping and technical assistance gained from this partnership with DEO will allow the leaders of this community to strategically and comprehensively plan for economic and workforce development and job creation. I am excited to see and be part of the forward momentum of this great community,” said Representative Elizabeth Porter.

“The City of Port St. Joe would like to thank the DEO Director and his staff for visiting us this past Monday.  We had a great meeting with them and some of our stakeholders and we were able to show them the site where the port will be developed.  We hope this is another step down the road to an economic revitalization of the Constitution City,” said Mayor Mel Magidson, City of Port St. Joe.

"White Springs' participation in DEO's Competitive Florida Partnership pilot program has been highly productive.  The guidance and support provided by DEO has helped us clarify our vision, re-focus on our major priorities, and develop working partnerships with state agencies committed to sustainable economic development in rural areas.  We value the assistance we have received from DEO, and look forward to a continuing partnership in the years ahead.  Our sincere thanks to Jesse Panuccio for his leadership with the Competitive Florida Partnership, and for selecting the Town of White Springs for the first year pilot effort," said Mayor Helen Miller, Town of White Springs.

In January 2014, DEO announced the four communities participating in the pilot program for the Competitive Florida Partnership, a new community development initiative. The City of Port St. Joe, the City of Newberry, the Town of White Springs, and Desoto County were the first four communities chosen to participate in the program. The Competitive Florida Partnership focuses on improving local economic development activities, particularly in the rural areas of our state. DEO assists these communities in creating strategic economic development plans that are tailored for each community’s unique assets. For example, with guidance from DEO, communities created asset inventories that will be available to potential businesses wishing to expand in or move to Florida.

DEO’s Division of Community Development is currently accepting proposals from communities interested in participating in the Competitive Florida Partnership. Eligible communities include municipal and county local governments, with an emphasis on rural areas. Rural areas may include rural municipalities within urban counties. Communities that are selected can receive both staff support from DEO and partnering agencies through the Rural Economic Development Initiative and grant funding. Eligible communities should prepare a proposal that details what makes them a good fit for Competitive Florida Partnership Program and what they hope the program will do for their community.  All proposals are due to DEO by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27.

Asset-based economic development is a bottom-up approach that focuses on developing and promoting existing local resources to strengthen the local economy. This approach focuses on a rural community’s tangible and intangible assets combined with economic advantages and how these can be leveraged into sustainable economic growth and prosperity. Assets in a community may include but are not limited to: individuals and human capital; associations and voluntary networks; political advocates; historical and cultural resources; natural landscapes (including renewable and nonrenewable material resources); financial assets; the built environment including transportation networks, communications facilities, utilities, public facilitates and commercial buildings; institutions such as schools, hospitals and government agencies. DEO will work with the selected rural communities to help them identify and market these assets and facilitate promotional opportunities to bring economic development to their community. 

About DEO

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity combines the state’s economic, workforce, and community development efforts.  This new approach helps expedite economic development projects to fuel job creation in competitive communities.  For more information, including valuable resources for employers and job seekers, please visit www.floridajobs.org.

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