Walton County economic development efforts are threatened by a “lack of creative and strategic thinking” and weakened by a limited pool of skilled labor, strategic planners have found.
County officials must outline clear goals for the future, commit financially to economic growth and consider partnering with a neighboring economic development organization “that could provide expertise and assistance,” the planners said.
Developed by the Institute for Senior Professionals from Northwest Florida State College, the Walton County Economic Development Alliance Strategic Plan 2013 will be presented to county commissioners Tuesday.
“As sobering as self-examination is, the intent is not to find fault, but to find ways to improve outcomes; not to fix blame, but to fix problems,” the senior professionals warn before launching into a sometimes scathing 23-page critique.
The report was prepared several weeks ago, and its publication and discussion were put on hold while the county searched for a new economic development director.
Steve Jaeger was hired last week to fill the post.
Jaeger said he’d had time only to look over the report and, while he noted the amount of work the Senior Professionals put into the document, he said he did not feel comfortable addressing the details.
Jaeger said the plan will be discussed at the Economic Development Alliance board meeting June 6.
“My job is to implement policy set by the EDA board,” he said.
Quality of life and cost of living are noted in the report as positives for Walton County, as is the availability of land, access to Interstate 10, improvements being made to U.S. Highway 331 and an active group of experienced retirees willing to volunteer their time.
Weaknesses included an inexperienced and underfunded economic development team and a lack of involvement in economic development efforts from key sectors of the community.
The limited labor pool also was noted as a weakness, as was the lack of county-wide strategic planning and accountability, a “slow and uncompetitive county permitting process” and an “ ‘us’ and ‘them’ mentality between sections of the county.”
The Strategic Plan calls for the county to fund and staff its economic development organization and to draw up clear goals that are measurable and achievable.
County Commission Chairman Ken Pridgen also chairs the EDA board. He said any decision to devote “increased resources” to economic development would have to be made by the County Commission.
“I believe that will be better discussed once the board as a whole has had a chance to review the plan,” Pridgen said in an email.
“I also look forward to receiving the recommendations and hearing from the EDA director on what additional resources he feels may be beneficial,” he said.
The report noted great opportunities for farming and agribusiness ventures, and found hope that a widened U.S. 331 would attract development. Developing an industrial complex in Mossy Head also would be beneficial.
But the report also listed a lack of creative and strategic thinking; a lack of long-term planning for health care, water and electricity; a lack of shared vision among people in all parts of the county; a lack of cooperation between public and private sectors; and a lack of coordination in bringing in business.
The planners assessed economic development efforts in Okaloosa, Jackson and Bay counties, and suggested Bay would make a great partner for Walton County to work with and learn from.
“Bay and Walton are heavily oriented toward tourism. Bay County has a deep-water port and commercial airport, which has cargo capabilities. Walton does not. Walton has much rural land, and Interstate 10 crossing the county. Bay County does not, the study said.
It noted that Neal Wade, Bay County’s EDA executive director, “has outstanding experience … and “is open to a cooperative venture.”
The study suggested a two-year partnership with Bay County, after which, “if Walton County decided to end the partnership, it would have gained valuable experience.”
The Senior Professionals ended the assessment with 25 suggestions to stimulate economic development. Many suggestions were agriculturally based, such as harvesting wood pellets or seeking opportunities for “value-added agribusiness.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Tom McLaughlin at 850-315-4435 or tmclaughlin@nwfdailynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomMnwfdn.