I want to begin by thanking our key investors for their contribution of time and money to make FEDC the Best. I also want to thank everyone who has been able to meet with Governor-Elect Scott and work to advance economic development throughout our state. We are fortunate to be front and center with our full membership participating in important recommendations and proposals to our Governor-Elect.
Amy Evancho, President and CEO of the FEDC, and Tammie Nemecek, President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Collier County and Immediate Past Chair of the FEDC, continue to serve on Governor-Elect Scott’s Economic Development Transition Team. They have spent the past several weeks taking part in reviews, meetings and conference calls to discuss job creation and economic development. This is helping to contribute to the well publicized “7-7-7 Plan.”
I would like to thank Bill Lambert who was especially helpful in gathering input and preparing our recommendations for submission. Thank you to FEDC members that submitted input and helped in the preparation for the transition team. We will be taking this information to FEDC’s Economic Development Advocacy Committee for their continued preparation for the 2011 Legislative Session.
As Governor-Elect Scott toured the state FEDC members and FEDC Board members were present at each stop. I was honored to speak on behalf of the FEDC in Tampa last Friday at the USF Innovation and Technology meeting. As an organization we ensured that Florida is moving in the right direction and we made our presence known and beneficial for the future of our state.
FEDC continues to take strong positions on its fiscal responsibility, professional development and communication plans to become the voice of the economic development practitioners. We continue to work to recruit new members to become more involved in what is happening in our state. Please, send this newsletter to all of your economic development databases and share the benefits of membership. Amy, any of the FEDC Board Members or I would love to speak with prospective members and share this wonderful organization – Florida Economic Development Council.
Please join me in wishing Ron Bunch the best in his new position as president/CEO of the Chamber in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We will miss you Ron! And on that note, to all a very merry season!
With kindest regards,
Deborah Wilkinson
Chairman
Florida Economic Development Council
