Northeast Florida COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan
Press Release
May 12, 2021
Jacksonville, FL – The Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC), a government agency that serves seven counties and 25 municipalities, announced today the official release of the Northeast Florida COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. The plan was formally approved through a unanimous vote of the NEFRC Board of Directors on Thursday, May 6th, 2021.
The recovery plan, which outlines detailed recommendations for economic recovery, was developed by the Northeast Florida Economic Resilience Task Force, a policy group of more than 20 leaders from across the region representing local governments, regional economic development organizations, private sector companies, and nonprofit organizations. The Task Force was made possible through Federal CARES Act funding allocated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and awarded to the NEFRC in August 2020 to support economic resilience efforts related to the pandemic.
Task Force meetings facilitated in Spring 2021 identified policy recommendations across three priority areas: (1) infrastructure; (2) small business relief and support; and (3) equity. These recommendations ultimately informed the structure of the economic recovery plan.
“This plan reflects the efforts of more than 20 leaders from across the region who dedicated their knowledge, time, and expertise to a planning exercise that lasted for more than six months,” said Beth Payne, Chief Executive Officer of the NEFRC. “Included in this plan are recommendations that can assist local governments and partners in continuing on a successful road to recovery.”
Recommendations included in the plan relate to expanding affordable broadband access, further developing public-private partnerships, strengthening mental health resources, expanding small business support services to rural areas, and a wide array of other priority topic areas.
Upon release of this plan, the NEFRC will begin an implementation process that will involve community outreach, presentations to local governments, and additional technical assistance activities. For more information about the Task Force and its recently published economic recovery plan, please contact Sean Lahav, Resiliency Coordinator at [email protected]
The NEFRC is an independent, regional government agency serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, Nassau and St. Johns counties. It provides a regional perspective toward growth management, economic development, emergency preparedness, resiliency, and community development to enhance the quality of life of Northeast Florida residents. For more information about the Northeast Florida Regional Council, visit www.nefrc.org.