Florida Construction Jobs Focus of New Initiative

A slew of new construction projects being pushed forward could help save and create Florida construction jobs.

Gov. Charlie Crist recently announced the "Accelerate Florida: Extending Florida's Economic Horizons" economic stimulus plan. The plan asks state agencies to speed up the release of billions of dollars in approved construction and capital outlay projects through expedited approval and contracting. It also promotes less intrusive, more effective government by identifying burdensome regulation and barriers to job creation.

The construction projects on the horizon will not only create thousands of construction jobs, but also will improve roads, schools, parks and waterways.

“Going back 10 years and moving into the current budget year, we have $28.6 billion in unspent construction dollars for new classrooms, better roads and needed water projects,” Governor Crist said in a press release. “Now is the time to make sure all of these projects are moving forward as quickly as possible.”

The projects currently in focus include:

• Florida Department of Transportation – Acknowledging that maintaining, constructing, and expanding Florida’s transportation system contributes to the economic security, Crist directed Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos to accelerate work on roadway projects worth $4.2 billion this year, including $1.4 billion for the Interstate-595 Express in South Florida and $47.9 million for the Max Brewer Bridge repair in Titusville.
• Florida Department of Education – Commissioner Eric Smith and Sheila McDevitt, chairwoman of the Florida Board of Governors, will work with school district leaders and state university presidents to complete education construction projects as quickly as possible. During the past three years, the Legislature has set aside $4.8 billion for school, community college and university construction, including $1.5 billion this year alone.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Secretary Michael Sole will initiate $403 million in projects proposed by lawmakers during the 2008 legislative session and approved by Governor Crist with the expectation that construction could invigorate Florida’s economic activity. Funding will improve water quality and supply and provide surface water improvements. Another $369 million is available for protection of Florida’s natural environment, enhancements to state parks and lands, and waste cleanup projects.
• Other agencies receiving funds during the current fiscal year for construction projects and economic development include:
  
• Florida Department of Corrections – $430 million to construct 10,200 prison beds and to finance a proposed prison work-camp at Bay County. Includes funds to manage and supervise inmates, which will create 1,395 new jobs.
• Energy – $20 million to promote the production, distribution and use of renewable fuels, including the Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Fuel program.
• Community Affairs and Workforce Development – $713.4 million - $253.7 million to provide incentives to local and private organizations to produce and preserve affordable housing; $383.6 million to provide job training assistance to individuals and businesses, including workforce services to employers and job seekers and educational programs to help people with disabilities gain employment and $76.1 to promote tourism, revitalize communities and prepare emergency facilities to protect citizens during emergency situations.
• Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development – $185.6 million -$20 million to support aerospace development and infrastructure; $16.3 million to support military base protection and defense and rural related infrastructure projects; $35.6 million to support tourism marketing and promotion efforts; $113.7 million for economic development incentives, including $11.9 million for Enterprise Florida to market Florida as a pro-business location for new investments and assist in retaining and expanding existing businesses.
• Statewide Facility Needs – $142.3 million to construct new state facilities and maintain existing state owned facilities, including new Department of Revenue buildings, a First District Court of Appeal building, and maintenance and repair projects at state facilities throughout Florida.
• “I am directing the state agencies under my purview to start turning dirt on projects that have already been funded by the Legislature and to identify and remove any obstacles that might be hindering these construction projects from getting under way,” Crist said in a press release. “My instructions represent an aggressive strategy for strengthening Florida’s economy and thoroughly examining our options for the future.
  “Florida is feeling the effects of the economic adjustments that are impacting the nation, and we must listen to what business owners and industry leaders have to say,” Crist continued. “These challenging economic conditions require us to join together to aggressively focus available resources on activities that keep Floridians employed and move our economy forward.”
  
  Enterprise Florida Inc. itself has retained 4,017 Florida jobs since January 2008, up from 260 during January to August 2007. During the next five months, EFI projects will retain an additional 3,618 jobs and create 6,100 new high-tech, high-wage positions.