By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
November 12, 2018 10:00 a.m.
County attorney and acting county manager Michael Mullin announced at the November 9th meeting of the Board of County Commissioners that notification had been received from the State announcing that Nassau County was (tentatively) awarded a grant made possible from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Since 2010, this grant, billed as “an economic development program designed to build on Florida’s success and economic prosperity,” has provided $85 million in infrastructure and job training projects.
The grant award for Nassau County is worth an estimated $21 million to provide water, sewer, rail and natural gas to the area known as Crawford Diamond. Laura DiBella, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB) and staff put the grant application together.
The good news of the grant having been awarded was tempered somewhat during a discussion that followed. Mullin outlined a of potential problems in the terms and conditions. However, it was noted that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, which oversees grant management, did indicate that the terms and conditions could be modified.
Partners in this grant application were identified as the Town of Callahan, JEA and Florida Power and Light (FPL). While all partners are strongly in support of this grant as articulated by Ms. DiBella, both the town of Callahan and JEA both expressed in earlier meetings, that they each have certain limitations in capacity at the present time.
Another red flag identified was the fact that the land is not owned by the county but instead by Florida Power and Light. In earlier discussions with county staff and members of the NCEDB, FPL committed to providing $5 million toward the sewer hookup. However, Mullin and Becky Bray, director of public works for the county, had unofficially consulted with an engineering company which, having reviewed the numbers, seemed to suggest that $5 million would not be adequate.
Other terms of the grant call for 3,250 jobs to be created in ten years. If that job growth target is not met, certain monies are required to be paid back.
Laura DiBella, at the invitation of Mullin, spoke at the podium stressing the importance of this opportunity underscoring the fact that no upfront money is needed and that it is “something that could expand greatly West Nassau’s economic base in addition to the county’s tax base.”
With much back and forth between OMB director Stankiewicz, Mullin and DiBella, the subject came up that an outside firm would be needed to review numbers. Asked how much such an engineering study would cost, DiBella responded between $30,000 – $50,000.
DiBella was strident in her communication that everyone at the table wants this grant and at one point said, “I would pay for the study myself if I could afford it.”
Commissioner Leeper expressed his concern that the county was probably not in a position to spend that kind of money ($30,000 – $50,000) for an outside consultant to review the numbers for something that wasn’t guaranteed. To that end, Stankiewicz added that according to the current terms of the grant agreement, work done prior to commencement of the actual project are not reimbursable. To counter that point, Ms. DiBella said that she would go back to the partners in search of someone who might be willing to pay for such an engineering study.
Other highlights included Commissioner Kelley expressing his discomfort with spending taxpayer money on land that is not owned by the county and referenced how “skiddish” one can become with public/private partnerships, alluding to the current debacle between the county and Rayonier.
Taco Pope, director of planning and economic opportunity for the county, spoke to the importance of comprehensive planning and pointed out that schools and houses are needed if you are going to put a substantial number of new jobs in any one particular area.
The end result: the commissioners vote 5-0 to authorize Mullin and other appropriate staff to engage in further due diligence.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.