FUNDING FLORIDA WEST

The Escambia County Commission has voted to commit to funding Florida West Economic Development Alliance at a minimum of $550,000 each year for the next three years. Scott Luth, CEO of Florida West, told the commission that Florida West’s goal over the next five years is to recruit 2,000 jobs to Escambia County that can be directly attributed to the economic development agency. The economic development organization said it needs $600,000 in the next fiscal year and $650,000 a year after that to execute their strategic plan. The vote to approve the funding was 4-1 with Commissioner Doug Underhill voting against.