By B.C. Manion
The Pasco County Commission voted to spend $125,000 on a study that aims to bolster the county’s ability to attract new businesses and jobs.
The board approved an agreement with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to bring a panel of experts to the county to provide guidance on future development.
The panel of experts will meet with government, business and community representatives to look at progress the county has made since a previous ULI study was conducted five years ago. It will also recommend ways for the county to go forward.
The panel is expected to convene for no less than five days in October.
In its previous study, ULI helped the county to identify strategic market areas. It also laid the groundwork for enticing more job-creators to Pasco, by suggesting that the county identify market areas, offer incentives to attract job-creators and streamline permitting to make it easier for companies to choose Pasco.
The ULI is an organization that aims to benefit the general public through improved planning and use of urban land.
During this study, it will devote about 20 percent of its efforts toward reviewing how well is previous recommendations are being implemented. It will recognize strengths, identify weaknesses and prescribe steps to take for improvement.
The other 80 percent of its work will address issues such as the county’s regional economic role, its residential growth dynamics, its quality of life, transportation issues and its investment tools, including public-private partnerships.
The county is partnering with the Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., and both groups want to use ULI’s services to position the county “to maximize its current resources and identify options for economic development and potential revenue sources.”
The study will include recommendations aimed at helping to carry out the County Commission’s vision for the county, as expressed through the board’s strategic plan, according to county documents.
County commissioners have been focused in recent years on the goal of attracting jobs, to help boost the local economy and to improve quality of life by helping residents finding work in the area, instead of being forced to make daily commutes to other communities.
The ULI panel and its staff will study the area, will gather research from local officials and will consult with public and private officials, representatives of relevant organizations and others.
It will prepare its conclusions and recommendations, which it will present at the end of its visit. It will present a draft report within 30 days and a final report within 90 days.
In preparation for ULI’s work, the county and PEDC are seeking feedback from citizens and business regarding the county’s progress on development readiness as it relates to recommendations made during the previous ULI panel.
Before the panel comes back, the county and PEDC would like to determine, from our collective viewpoint, what has been accomplished, where improvements have been made and what is missing or still needs work.
To take the survey, go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/J2CTSNL.
