'We've been gearing up for it'

MILTON — Enterprise Florida Inc., the state’s public and private economic development organization, could cease to be if Florida senators follow the state House of Representatives’ March 10 87-28 vote to defund it.

Every state has some kind of economic development team, according to Santa Rosa County Economic Development Director Shannon Ogletree.

“(They’re) getting the word out, promoting the state, promoting specific areas, and providing backup to those who need support,” he said of such organizations.

Florida’s House aired advertisements stating taxpayers paid $42 million in projects that didn’t meet job promises while 12 of the projects created no jobs at all.

“No more picking winners and losers,” one ad said.

While Ogletree believes he can continue doing his work without EFI, he said the organization plays a pivotal role.

“Imagine if you’re a company looking at finding a spot,” Ogletree said. “If you can call Alabama, or any state and get a single point of contact to help act as a clearinghouse for available property or buildings, what would be easiest?”

If the Senate follows suit with a bill to eliminate EFI, Ogletree is ready.

“We’re doing more marketing than ever, visiting with site selectors, calling them up, talking one-on-one … We’ve been gearing up for it,” he said. A site selector works for a company to find the best locations for a new or expanding business’ offices, factories and other buildings.

“I think it’s incumbent upon us to market ourselves instead of (relying) on others. It’s definitely ‘shame on me’ if I say, ‘Let the state do it.’”

Without an organization like EFI, companies interested in Florida tend to know only big cities like Orlando and Miami, according to Ogletree.

“It’s up to us make sure they’re thinking of us if that state organization goes away,” he said. “It’s up to us to say, ‘Don’t think of the big guys but think Santa Rosa County and what we have to offer.’

“It’s very competitive out there.”

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: 'We've been gearing up for it'