DEO program highlights local assets to spur economic development for rural communities throughout Florida


DEFUNIAK SPRINGS - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that the City of DeFuniak Springs has been selected to participate in the Competitive Florida Partnership, a rural community development initiative. The Competitive Florida Partnership focuses on improving local economic development activities, particularly in the rural areas of our state. DEO will assist DeFuniak Springs in creating strategic economic development plans that are tailored to the community’s unique assets.


“As Florida’s economy continues its strong growth, we need to ensure that all communities are well prepared to create economic prosperity. The Competitive Florida Partnership helps rural communities capitalize on their strengths and assets for economic and community development,” said Jesse Panuccio, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “We look forward to working with the City of DeFuniak Springs to explore the economic development opportunities in the community, share best practices, and engage a robust network of community and business leaders.”


“The City of DeFuniak Springs strives to preserve what makes it unique,” said DEO’s Division of Community Development Director William B. Killingsworth. "DEO is excited to work with this community to further its vision."


The City of DeFuniak Springs proposes to be an active member of the Competitive Florida network, having already established a committed Economic Development Committee that is poised for action and comprised of business owners and managers, education professionals, and the city manager. After DeFuniak Springs spent a year determining its imperatives, generating public conversations, and securing funds for special projects, DEO is looking forward to working with the city as economic development efforts are taken to the next level.


City of DeFuniak Springs City Manager Sara W. Bowers said, “The City of DeFuniak Springs is excited about participating in the Competitive Florida Partnership Program to help develop an actionable economic development strategy for our community. This program will not only provide the tools to help us build and enhance our local economy but it will also allow us to stay true to what makes us unique and we truly look forward to working on this endeavor.”


"The DeFuniak Springs community is rich with opportunity for economic development.  I'm very pleased the state has selected DeFuniak Springs to receive technical help to organize and market itself to job-creators," said Senator Don Gaetz.  "I am particularly grateful to Governor Scott and the Department of Economic Opportunity for recognizing the needs and the potential of our rural communities in Northwest Florida."


Representative Brad Drake said, "It is exciting news that Governor Scott and the Department of Economic Opportunity have chosen the City of DeFuniak Springs as a participant in the Competitive Florida program. Economic development in rural Florida can sometimes be a challenge, but this partnership will certainly benefit the people of DeFuniak Springs, and as their Representative, any assistance towards job creation is always welcome and appreciated. I applaud Governor Scott and the Department of Economic Opportunity for giving Florida’s rural communities recognition and the resources to continue their growth.”


The Competitive Florida Partnership helps rural communities value and market local assets and challenges them to set realistic goals for advancing their economic development vision. The three currently participating communities, the City of Defuniak Springs, Putnam County, and the City of Madison, will design and develop innovative strategies that promote partnerships, community design, and a viable local economy. Since the inception of the program in 2013, the City of Port St. Joe, the City of Newberry, the City of White Springs, Desoto County, the City of Webster, the City of Starke, the City of Chiefland, and Gadsden County have participated in the program.


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: 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 transportation networks, communications facilities, utilities, public facilities, and commercial buildings; and institutions such as schools, hospitals, and government agencies. DEO will work with the selected rural communities to identify and market these assets and facilitate promotional opportunities to bring economic development to their community.



For more information regarding the Competitive Florida Partnership, please visit: www.floridajobs.org/CompetitiveFlorida.