Pensacola, Fla. (Oct. 19, 2022) –FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance’s current multi-year strategic plan has come to an end and the organization is launching a new 5-year plan in partnership with PEDC, Escambia County, The City of Pensacola, and other partners and community stakeholders.
Economic development expert and VisionFirst Advisors’ President & CEO Gray Swoope will present the recommended plan to stakeholders on Oct. 25, 2022 at the Studer Community Institute Community Room. For more than 30 years, Swoope has led public and private economic development organizations in multiple states. His company, VisionFirst, was contracted to develop this new plan.
“Pensacola and Escambia County have experienced a great deal of success over the last five years. But with today’s ever-changing economy, it was time to look ahead. The plan delivered today allows FloridaWest to focus on optimizing assets of the region for targeted industries while advancing innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Swoope.
The new 5-year strategic plan emphasizes three main strategic goals: business recruitment, business retention and expansion and the facilitation of innovation and entrepreneurship — industry standards for effective economic development in any region.
“This plan gives us a strategic heading for the future,” said Scott Luth, CEO of FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance. “FloridaWest will continue to work to increase capital investment and high wage jobs by attracting new businesses to our area, retaining and expanding our own businesses and helping our entrepreneurs grow. We’re excited for what the future holds for the Pensacola area and are already working toward our new goals.
“I’m super proud of our team, our partners and stakeholders in what we’ve been able to accomplish these last several years,” said Luth. “ST Engineering is one very significant achievement that stands out. We were able to help secure $250 million in funding to attract this dynamic company that is adding 1,325 jobs and $245 million in capital investment in our community.”
See FloridaWest 5-Year Strategic Plan here.
FloridaWest 5-Year Strategic Plan Presentation
Where: Studer Community Institute Community Room
When: Oct. 25, 2022, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
News media interviews available from 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. and from 3 p.m. – 3:30 p.m
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About FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance: FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance is the designated economic development organization for Pensacola and Escambia County. They are an alliance of public and private community leaders dedicated to collectively building, growing and sustaining the economic potential and prosperity of individuals, businesses and our Northwest Florida communities.