As the New Year is fraught with alarming realizations that the worst of times are yet ahead for global economies, it doesn’t appear that all is lost to bad timing for Hernando County, which is not to say that that there’s sure to be plenty of times for negative commentaries in the coming months. For now, there’s no time to dwell on pessimism when there’s plenty to cheer about with some very promising local developments.
Merely a month ago, Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher expressed his interest in proceeding with the County Line Road improvement project. This was greeted with unabated joy from Commissioner David Russell, County Engineer Charles Mixon and Administrator David Hamilton, who initiated the discussion with Gallagher to get the ball rolling.
For the time being both counties have to put this on a “wish list” but Gallagher expressed his determination to make it come to fruition when he pointedly gave his expectation that Hernando County get ready, get set and be ready to go within a matter of months. The two counties, plus the Florida Dept of Transportation, are the main players in providing funds but, unless the bottom falls out of President Obama’s plans to upgrade America’s infrastructure, stimulus dollars from the federal government will help defray Hernando County’s 60% share of the $50M projected cost.
As a result of the long-awaited road improvements along County Line Road, good fortunes can be expected at the Hernando County Airport, just north on US 41. The new 5,600 sq ft building of the Office of Business Development is a showcase where Director Mike McHugh can finally conduct business at a permanent location rather than at a rented space that was miles away from this hub of the county’s commercial interests. This will allow McHugh and Airport Director Don Silvernell to work more closely to attract and accommodate new business ventures to the AirPark, RailPark and Industrial Park.
With the Airport in such close proximity to the SunCoast Parkway, US 41, County Line Road and Spring Hill Drive it will reinforce the claim that Hernando County is the “Business Gateway to Tampa”. I-75 and US 19 are other main transportation arteries in the County.
This past month, Chasco Machine and Manufacturing Inc, which manufactures aerospace precision parts using state-of the-art “computer numerically controlled” (CNC) equipment, announced that it will relocate from Port Richey to the Industrial Park on Spring Hill Drive. As part of the total 90,000 sq ft building complex being built by Regent Properties, the 24,800 sq ft office to be occupied by Chasco will meet its need to expand, including an additional ten employees to the present seventeen. Business incentives and affordable housing were taken into account for the decision of Jeff Roth, owner of Chasco, to move the business to Hernando County.
Mr. Roth is partnering with the Nature Coast Technical High School to promote an engineering curriculum that will support the future employment needs of his business, and that of other manufacturing companies.
A year ago, Precision Alliance Company, another leader in the CNC industry announced its goal to bring over 100 precision machine manufacturing businesses to Hernando County during the next five years. It too is working with Nature Coast Technical High School to meet future job needs with average wages ranging from $30,000 to $40,000.
And where might these prospective new residents reside? Although there are plenty of unoccupied houses throughout the county, seeking a home loan can still be a challenge. Unfamiliar with local residential housing areas, relocated employees might rather get a feel of the county by initially renting.
Hernando County Commissioners just approved a master plan to build “affordable workforce housing” on 40 acres at the northwest corner of Cobb Road and Fort Dade Avenue. With a planned total of 408 units, there’ll be plenty of space for newcomers to call home.
[Take special note that affordable workforce housing was a recurring theme of Diane Rowden, deposed incumbent District 3 County Commissioner in the 2008 general election. As she stated at the height of the building boom, in 2005, “Affordable is not a bad word.” Instead of over 10,000 future home sites being approved these past three years, if her ideas had been heeded there would be fewer vacant properties, unoccupied homes and unrealized dreams. Hernando County business interests did not afford her the proper respect for such foresight. Voters even more so.]
It certainly appears that Hernando County is about to realize its goal to diversify its tax base with jobs on the cutting edge of manufacturing technologies. Expect our local economic recovery to come around sooner than most communities. Remember, the New Year is a mere three weeks in the making. The future is ours for the taking. So, have a Happy, Hernando!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Times Just Keep On Comin'
Whew! I can rest a little easier today than yesterday, knowing that The St. Petersburg Times/Hernando Times are in good order for meeting my expectations of being a primary source of news for the foreseeable future.
The cause of this most glorious bit of news? I received a reminder from the Times’ circulation department requesting that I kindly forward payment in full for the annual renewal fee so that I can have continued, uninterrupted delivery of the daily paper. I was a little befuddled because I was almost certain payment had already been made a week earlier. I quick trip through my account website proved me correct, and lo-and-be-hold I even had a positive credit of $73.43!
The primary reason for contacting the Times’ Customer Care Department was to seek the address of my local carrier. Even though the gentleman had sent me a Christmas card in appreciation for my patronage, I had misplaced the envelope with the name and address. Although the Representative explained that it isn’t normal practice to give out such proprietary information, he too had to delay a bit of thankful compensation for the time and effort of the carrier due to a shortfall in payday funds. We both agreed it would be an unexpected New Year windfall for the dedicated carrier with a late payment, so he provided the information post-haste.
The gentleman and I carried on a conversation in excess of fifteen minutes - I had made a momentary friend! I queried him on how a carrier is compensated for his efforts. He gave me general information but explained specific information were unknown to him. He did tell me that carriers typically handle deliveries of two to four hundred newspapers per day - more on Sundays.
When I mentioned the plight of newspapers and how circulation is on the downside of profitability and how I had contacted another newspaper about a delivery problem and that a District Manager told me their customer service reps are offshore employees, The Times’ Rep assured me he is right here, locally, and that the founders would be aghast at such an un-American activity.
Unlike the myriad of other newspapers, The Times is free of debt other than maintaining their office buildings. The Tribune Company and The New York Times, in particular, are well-known dailies experiencing doubtful futures, but not so The St Pete Times! I was so relieved that a primary source of news is guaranteed to be my morning comrade for as long as I should pay the price of the subscription.
The credit balance? It’s strictly to my benefit that if I should decide to discontinue delivery (no way!) I will be reimbursed for the unused portion of the yearly fee.
So, as a gesture of good will toward to my newspaper carrier, a check is now in the mail. And the Times’ Customer Care Rep? I ended the call with A Very Happy New Year to you, too, Randall!
The cause of this most glorious bit of news? I received a reminder from the Times’ circulation department requesting that I kindly forward payment in full for the annual renewal fee so that I can have continued, uninterrupted delivery of the daily paper. I was a little befuddled because I was almost certain payment had already been made a week earlier. I quick trip through my account website proved me correct, and lo-and-be-hold I even had a positive credit of $73.43!
The primary reason for contacting the Times’ Customer Care Department was to seek the address of my local carrier. Even though the gentleman had sent me a Christmas card in appreciation for my patronage, I had misplaced the envelope with the name and address. Although the Representative explained that it isn’t normal practice to give out such proprietary information, he too had to delay a bit of thankful compensation for the time and effort of the carrier due to a shortfall in payday funds. We both agreed it would be an unexpected New Year windfall for the dedicated carrier with a late payment, so he provided the information post-haste.
The gentleman and I carried on a conversation in excess of fifteen minutes - I had made a momentary friend! I queried him on how a carrier is compensated for his efforts. He gave me general information but explained specific information were unknown to him. He did tell me that carriers typically handle deliveries of two to four hundred newspapers per day - more on Sundays.
When I mentioned the plight of newspapers and how circulation is on the downside of profitability and how I had contacted another newspaper about a delivery problem and that a District Manager told me their customer service reps are offshore employees, The Times’ Rep assured me he is right here, locally, and that the founders would be aghast at such an un-American activity.
Unlike the myriad of other newspapers, The Times is free of debt other than maintaining their office buildings. The Tribune Company and The New York Times, in particular, are well-known dailies experiencing doubtful futures, but not so The St Pete Times! I was so relieved that a primary source of news is guaranteed to be my morning comrade for as long as I should pay the price of the subscription.
The credit balance? It’s strictly to my benefit that if I should decide to discontinue delivery (no way!) I will be reimbursed for the unused portion of the yearly fee.
So, as a gesture of good will toward to my newspaper carrier, a check is now in the mail. And the Times’ Customer Care Rep? I ended the call with A Very Happy New Year to you, too, Randall!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Up and Coming....
Another year of blog entries.
There's no telling for sure what tidbits of interest may pop up this go-round.
It's kinds doubtful I'll be at a loss for words but I might get washed out, wiped up or go spread-eagled across the floor.
Actually, I'm not feeling very creative right now... I've got some other blogs to set up and it gets to be too time consuming (cry baby, me) when I could actually be writing about SOMETHING.
There's no telling for sure what tidbits of interest may pop up this go-round.
It's kinds doubtful I'll be at a loss for words but I might get washed out, wiped up or go spread-eagled across the floor.
Actually, I'm not feeling very creative right now... I've got some other blogs to set up and it gets to be too time consuming (cry baby, me) when I could actually be writing about SOMETHING.
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