Happy New Year, Hernando

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!