DEO program highlights asset-based economic development for rural communities throughout Florida

TALLAHASSEE - Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced that the City of Chiefland 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 Chiefland in creating strategic economic development plans that are tailored to the community’s unique assets.

“The Competitive Florida Partnership program piloted this year was a huge success for the participating communities helping them to harness 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 Chiefland to explore the opportunities in the community, share best practices, and engage a network of community and business leaders.”

The City of Chiefland was selected to participate in the second round of the Competitive Florida Partnership program among 18 local government applications. In the City of Chiefland’s proposal, they stated that they would like to map their assets and complete an economic analysis to determine how to best market the community to interested industries. Their close proximity to the City of Newberry and Town of White Springs will be beneficial to the community as they draw from their experiences through the Competitive Florida Partnership network.

State Senator Charlie Dean said, “I am excited for the City of Chiefland and applaud their effort in pursuing the Competitive Florida Partnership.  I am proud they have been selected for this valuable program with the Department of Economic Opportunity.  Through this program, I believe, the community, businesses, and citizens of Chiefland will all benefit from knowledge, assistance, and partnerships they will gain from participating in this important initiative.”

State Representative Charlie Stone said, “It is great news for the residents and business owner of the Chiefland community that they have been selected to participate in the Competitive Florida Partnership program. This opportunity will certainly enhance the efforts the community has made and further the economic development potential of the area to bring more jobs to Chiefland.”

City of Chiefland Mayor Matthew Pomeroy said, “The City of Chiefland is pleased to become one of the Competitive Florida Partner Cities. We are happy to have the Department of Economic Opportunity on board as a partner for the next chapter in the economic growth of Chiefland. We look forward to working to accomplish the process of developing our plan for attracting great business partners and new industries into Chiefland and Levy County.”

The Competitive Florida Partnership helps rural communities value and market local assets and challenge them to set realistic goals for advancing their economic development vision. The four participating communities will design and develop innovative strategies that promote partnerships, community design, and a viable local economy. Earlier this year, the City of Port St. Joe, the City of Newberry, the City of White Springs, and Desoto County were the first four rural communities chosen to participate 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 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 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

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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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