By Barbara Behrendt, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
BROOKSVILLE — As Hernando County residents and businesses slog through the depressed housing market and the high unemployment numbers, it seems everyone in the public and the private sector has adopted the mantra of economic development and tax base diversity.
Now, there is a new idea to have local government and the Hernando business community work together to solve some of the problems that have made those lofty goals so challenging.
This week the County Commission gave a green light for Chairman John Druzbick to form a chairman's task force composed of business and industry leaders who would work alongside county business development staffers.
Their first job would be to brainstorm issues to reinforce the benefits of a business moving to Hernando County while also cutting out stumbling blocks that might prevent such a move.
As Druzbick explained, one benefit of such a group is its ability to network with other businesses to pitch Hernando's strong points from its airport, rail system and access to highways such as Interstate 75 and the Suncoast Parkway to its proximity to Tampa, its airport, seaport and nearby universities.
"Obviously, Hernando has a lot to offer,'' Druzbick said. "We believe with their connections they can bring in more industry.''
Druzbick said he was impressed with the positivity he has seen from the business people who have voiced an interest in participating. He sees those voices as a big plus as business development director Michael McHugh speaks to potential new industries.
Having another businessperson as part of the conversation who can explain what it is like to do business in Hernando County would be a huge plus, Druzbick said.
"If I am a businessperson and I tell you the same thing that the county has said, it's going to solidify the county's position,'' he said.
Some topics for discussion for the task force include infrastructure, industry types to target and land and building availability, he said. The group will use as its framework the county's approved economic development plan, he said.
One of the first topics for discussion will be the county's technology infrastructure. With the Bright House Networks contract with Hernando County ending in two years and some businesses frustrated by their inability to get high-speed Internet access, there is a lot to discuss on the topic, said Valerie Pianta, program coordinator for business development.
One of those businesses is Zymol Enterprises. Chief executive Charles Bennett, who moved his firm to Hernando County last year from Connecticut, has told county officials of his challenges in getting the technology needed for his international firm, which makes premium automobile cleaning and waxing products.
Despite his frustrations, Bennett supports the county's business development efforts and is heading up the task force, Pianta said.
If the task force can help with Hernando County's technology challenges, "It would make us more marketable,'' she said.
Druzbick said he sees the efforts of the task force as being a long-term economic development effort. The key will be focused on just a couple of projects at a time to make progress. The networking aspects of current Hernando business leaders helping to persuade other businesses to locate in the area could also grow industry over time, he said.
"This is the long-term key to making Hernando County a viable place to live and work,'' Druzbick said. "It's starting to happen slowly, but we just need to give it a good kick.''
Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1434.