JOBS AND THE ECONOMY! 

There is no doubt that Volusia County has felt a big impact from the most severe recession in my memory. Jobs have been lost in all segments of our economy.   It will be important as we move through this next year to focus on those items that will create jobs and improve our economy here at home.

Working closely with DeBary, Orange City, DeLand, and Deltona we are creating job centers that will keep our workers here at home, on this side of the I-4 Bridge!

sector economic development interests.   I have worked hard to insure our corner of the county is active and engaged in the creation of this new entity.

We are bringing green jobs to the District with the relocation of Southeast Fabricators to DeBary. Southeast will add 250 new jobs in the next three years. I was pleased to participate in the relocation.

I've worked hard to make something happen at the activity center at State Road 472 in Deltona. And it looks like patience is paying off. Soon you will see  dozers moving dirt for a retail development project on the Deltona side of the interstate. 

network of health care facilities, is welcome news to me and most importantly to the community of Osteen and the good folks who live along the eastern edge of the district.

We are well positioned to promote our ECHO assets through an integrated approach with the Tourism Advertising Authorities, the County, the west side cities and those communities of special interest that dot our landscape. We are the quiet side of the county and we can provide the outdoor venues that many want when they come to our county for vacation and play.  Most importantly, we will be creating economic opportunities for our constituents.  

And finally, look for construction to begin on the Sunrail Commuter Rail shortly. This rail project will bring good paying jobs to our community. Along with the spin off development that is expected along the rail corridor the economic impact to Volusia County will result in millions of new dollars coming into our County (www.sunrail.com). Not only will we have the value of the rail construction; but expect to see Transit Oriented Development projects come out of the ground around the Stations and along the spine of the line. 

And while this is a commuter rail line that is intended to take our residents to jobs in the region, let's not forget that the rail line runs both ways, giving us the opportunity to leverage our investment in our ECHO efforts with a strategy that brings visitors to our newly designated Heritage corridor, our beautiful trails, our cultural centers, our nature and ECHO based businesses.