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REDI In Highlands County Not Enough

By Frank Paul Jones on | From frankpaulgambino.com

I came here with a dream. I saw an area that had potential. I was always told that location is the key to starting a business. This location geographically is excellent. Located in the south-central area of Florida. Great whether conditions as many people come here to escape the cold whether of the Northern states. But sometimes location is not enough.

All over the country economics is a problem. We are in the worst recession since the great depression, yet the word recession is forbidden. All hell is about to break loose, unless there are serious legislative changes enacted.

Take REDI for example. Money is available for a particular class, but the areas being targeted need a different set of programs in order to survive this crisis. REDI (The Rural Economic Development Initiative) is needed, but who is being helped? The status quo?

Take Delaney Avenue of Avon Park, Fl, in the County of Highlands, we qualify for REDI but who on Delaney Avenue can actually apply for these grants? My roof is about to collapse, as I am non profit, but AM I an historically site? Then the businesses that are about to go under for taxes are not non profit and therefore do not qualify for these grants. So we are being offered money on the books, but it is not really being offered anything in reality, it is a tease. It is government money allocated, but tied up due to red tape. But we have to cut back on spending? I guess they are!

Meanwhile the world is coming to an end due to an economic crisis, but we have money to arrest people for petty crimes and for what? To add to the deficit? It is a sad day in Highlands County! They say I am incompetent, I say the state of Florida is incompetent!

To qualify for REDI status you must exhibit at least 3 of the 9 economic distress factors below as defined in 288.0656 Florida status. Highlands County has all nine distress factors.

low per capita income
low per capita taxable values
high unemployment
high underemployment
low weakly earned wages compared to the state average
low housing values compared to the state average
high percentages of the population receiving public assistance
high poverty levels compared to the state average
a lack of year-round stable employment opportunities

So why are we in the condition we are in? The local economy here in Avon Park, FL is a result of mismanagement at County and State levels.

Simple Solution: Find Lawyers that want to resolve our economic woes, here in Highlands County and get down to some serious business. Because many of our problems can be solve through legislative changes. As must people play by the rules, but the rules are screwed.

Rev. Paul