BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Clay County Economic Development Corporation’s president explained to a Keystone Heights business group how economic development impacts ordinary people.
Crawford Powell told the Lake Region Prosperity Partners that he overheard a conversation between a woman and her father in a restaurant before he came to Clay County.
“They were behind us in line, recalled Powell, “and I heard her dad say, Hey, how’s your new job going?”
Powell said he perked up when he heard the question because he was working on economic development in the area. As the conversation continued, Powell realized the woman had gotten a job at a Home Depot distribution center, an employer he had helped attract to the area.
The daughter later told her father she thought she could afford a home in a year or two.
“A lot of us take buying a house for granted,” Powell told the Keystone Heights group. “But for a lot of people, that’s a pretty big dream, guys.”
The father later asked the woman about the car trouble she had been having, and the Home Depot worker responded that she hoped to get a better vehicle soon.
“Those are game changers to me, for that family,” Powell said.
The economic development official added that most of the businesses he attracts to the area also bring with them corporate health insurance plans, which can also affect families.
Powell appeared at the August 22nd meeting of the Clay Chamber’s Lake region Prosperity Partners at the Keystone Beach Pavilion. Powell explained why his organization is separate from Clay County Government and why companies considering investing locally prefer to do so secretly.
Powell also commented on his organization’s efforts to attract new businesses to the Lake region, which he said centered at the Keystone Heights Airport. He added that the largest obstacle in bringing new companies to the airport is a lack of water and sewer service.
“As far as Keystone, in particular, goes, we’re working very closely with David (Kirkland) and Craig (Coon) out at the airport,” Powell said. “We’ve got a number of projects that we’ve submitted sites at the airport. We still do not have water and sewer out there. We’re working with (the Clay County Utility Authority) to ensure that stays on their radar to figure out a way to get water and sewer to the airport.”
Powell added that his organization invested in an environmental study at the facility.
“Most of those studies can take anywhere from six to 12 months,” he said. “But the problem is, if you don’t have it (completed) upfront, most (employers) are going to pass you by.”
In addition to Powell’s talk during the meeting, Harold Gilstrap updated the audience on the efforts of the group organizing the celebration of Keystone Heights’ 100th anniversary.
Chamber President Jon Cantrell emphasized the benefits of joining his organization. He also talked about upcoming chamber events.
The September 26th Lake Region Prosperity Partners meeting will feature Clay County Supervisor of Elections Chris Chambless.
