Based on the current results from our “mini-survey”, we’ve found that the three most important issues for our area are (in order of highest to lowest):
1. Economy/jobs
2. Poor leadership
3. Crime/drugs
Please share your thoughts on how our community can overcome these issues.
Tags: BPF, Escambia County, Pensacola economy, Pensacola issues
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY MUST STEP UP
PENSACOLA—According to the most recent Quality of Life Survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, the leading concerns among local citizens are the “economy and job security.” The overwhelming majority of local citizens gave the economy a negative rating, with 35% saying it is “poor,” and 50% saying it’s “just fair.” Only 10% of those surveyed gave the local economy a “good” rating, and none considered it excellent.
I don’t think the negative numbers surprise anyone, but it is surprising to note that local reformers believe that changing the city’s governance structure will dramatically change our economic conditions. I believe their hopes and expectations are misplaced.
Consider these facts: The city of Pensacola is about the 4th or 5th smallest governmental body in the area behind federal, state, and county governments. If you merely consider populations served, taxes generated, or revenues collected, the Escambia County School District and the Emerald Coast Utility Authority may also be bigger. The residents of Pensacola comprise less than 25% of the county’s population.
I think it would be fair to ask: Is it reasonable to expect the city, with or without a strong mayor, to provide the grist necessary to drive economic development throughout the region, or the county? Previous generations didn’t think so. In fact, past business leaders established umbrella organizations with names like the Committee of 100, or Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission to carry on the work of economic development. They understood a single municipal government couldn’t bear that burden alone, and they insisted that local governments interface with the private sector to get the job done. They believed that city and county governments should make a major contribution to the effort, but they also knew it would take a cooperative relationship for it to work. What happened to that business-driven initiative?
In those days, the city was actually encouraged to do what cities do best – provide quality municipal services at reasonable rates to local businesses and individual taxpayers. The city of Pensacola provides a broad range of public services that compliment economic initiatives today. Good public safety, police and fire, are essential to being an attractive community in which to live, work and play. Our parks and recreational opportunities are outstanding for a community of our size. A person can traverse the city in less than 15 minutes by automobile, and there is reasonable access to rail and interstate highways. The city’s sanitation department, now that we curbside recycle, is a modern operation, and the arts and entertainment facilities are quite good.
The city of Pensacola actually goes a step or two further assisting with economic development. It is highly unusual for a city the size of Pensacola to sponsor a regional airport – a major contributor to the economic health and well-being of the area. Like it or not, the city also underwrites a seaport, providing water-borne transportation for the entire region.
Some years ago, the city of Pensacola adopted a strategic plan that described its role in economic development. The plan called for partnering with other local governments and the business community in developing a unified approach to recruiting new jobs and opportunity for the greater Pensacola area. It also emphasized the importance of providing quality municipal services as a fundamental precursor to becoming the kind of community that will attract newcomers. Somewhere along the way the community abandoned that model and today we hear people clamoring for more government intervention to fill the gap. I strongly believe that would be an expensive mistake. Substantive economic leadership must come from a unified effort coordinated by the captains of business and industry. I concur with my friend Mort O’Sullivan, immediate past-chairman of the Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce; it’s time for the business community to rethink its role in economic development?
Jerry Maygarden is a former mayor and state legislator from Pensacola.
Escambia County needs to recruit companies that match the talent available in the area, and that are year round industries, unlike many hospitality jobs. There also needs to be an effort to train unemployed or underemployed individuals in industries that are thriving or can thrive in Pensacola, such as tech industries. Overall, this area has a lot to offer, and can become a great place to live with a little elbow grease and community dedication.