Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
Over the last 12 months, the Suwannee County Economic Development Office has been working in overdrive to build the county behind the scenes. Economic Development Director Jimmy Norris and Charissa Setzer have worked tirelessly alongside many others throughout the county, such as Shannon Roberts and Diane Schoals of North Florida Economic Development Partnership (NFEDP), who each played a vital role in preparing and writing grants on behalf of Suwannee County, along with Greg Scott and the Suwannee County Board of Commissioners. Together, they have brought in more government funding over the last 30 days than at any other time in the county's history. As a result, the county has received nearly $20 million in appropriations and additional government funding within the last 30 days. The latest is $9.6 million from the Rural Infrastructure Funding (RIF) program.
With funding pouring into Suwannee County, more infrastructure becomes more available, bringing in new businesses and helping stabilize existing businesses. Under the direction of Director Norris and Setzer, Suwannee County has become an attractive landing spot for economic growth. Director Norris and Setzer are quick to deflect praise, saying it is due to those around them and the hard work of local business owners who work hard every day to show stability throughout the county that makes it so appealing to new businesses large part of the stability is also attributed to the hard work that goes into researching and applying for appropriations and other government funding.
The journey began nearly one year ago, when the county started building an application through the RIF program to obtain funds for a lift station on 68th Terrace, and sewer line expansion to support an economic development project near the US Highway 126 and Interstate 10 interchange. The program was allocated $30 million for infrastructure throughout Florida. Their application was submitted in August of 2022 and awarded $764,000 on Dec. 22, 2022.
Upon the conclusion of everyone's applications for various uses of the $30 million, nearly $18 million was left untouched. Schools of NFEDP notified Norris and Suwannee County that almost $18 million was not utilized in the 2022- 23 grant application period. Therefore, Director Norris, Setzer and their team shared the needs for infrastructure at the Catalyst Site. With the approval from the county commissioners, Suwannee's full force was directed towards obtaining the funding needed to help develop the new catalyst site. With the help of the County Administrator, the building department and engineers began building a proposal for the critical expansion of infrastructure needed to sustain new businesses at the site for power, roads, water for fire flow and drinking water, wastewater, natural gas and internet access.
Among the critical steps taken to secure funds were the efforts of:
• Engineers to develop opinions of probable costs for water and wastewater services.
• County lobbyists and grant writers to explore funding opportunities.
• Economic Development Office, Building Department and engineers layout accommodations for business requirements, site plans and rapidly facilitating permitting.
• The Suwannee County Commissioners and Economic Development office outreach to NFEDP and legislative resources for guidance and funding support.
• In-depth investigation and research were needed to lock down particulars the RIF funding board was looking for that would better their chances of receiving funds.
After countless hours of dedicated teamwork and many resources called upon, Suwannee County became the big winner when Governor DeSantis announced on Monday, May 31, through the RIF program, he was awarding another $15 million for infrastructure to five counties in North Florida. Suwannee County was awarded $9.6 million to construct a wastewater treatment plant and install collection lines, compared to:
• Jackson County received just over $3.75 million.
•The City of Macclenny received just over $1.17 million.
• The City of Fort Meade received $969,000.
• The City of Umatilla $482,500.
"Today, I am proud to announce that five rural Florida communities will be receiving awards to foster resiliency and economic growth," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "These infrastructure investments will pave the way for new job opportunities and business growth for Floridians."
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Acting Secretary Meredith Ivey praised Governor DeSantis: "Thanks to the Governor, these investments will fuel economic development and offer Floridians a brighter future."
Previously, on Tuesday, May 2, Suwannee County was awarded $11.499 million in appropriations to match the $9.6 million they received on May 31. The $9.6 million being awarded will create 269 jobs in Suwannee County. Also, expanding infrastructure for new business opportunities within Suwannee County will lower the citizen's taxes.