Another Letter of Interest for OLF 8

 On Friday the board received from the administrator the latest letter of interest on OLF 8.  This time, it was Bluestem partners from Kansas City.  They are working with some local individuals and will be submitting a formal letter of intent early this upcoming week.  From their email to Administrator Moreno:

"Wanted to send this letter as a placeholder while we work on our offer.  Will have something over to you early next week."

See the letter they sent with it, below:

School Board Will Vote to Return to Elected Superintendent Model for Escambia County Public Schools

County Attorney Alison Rogers received the below email from School Board Attorney Ellen Odom yesterday:

"Good morning, Alison,

 Kevin Adams, School Board member representing District 1, has announced his intention to present a resolution to the School Board at our March 21 meeting to request a referendum to revert to an elected superintendent.  Please review the attached draft and let me know if you have any questions or concerns, or would like to discuss further.  

 At Mr. Adams' request, I am copying Commissioner Barry on this email.

 Best regards,

Ellen Odom"

The Pensacola News Journal called me on Tuesday to discuss the same issue for an article which will be forthcoming at some point, I would assume.  Also on Tuesday, I received an email from the Republican Executive Committee alluding to an upcoming vote by the board to return to the elected superintendent model.

So everyone saw this coming.

What I told the PNJ on Tuesday of this week is the same thing I told Kevin Adams:  If the school board votes to approve this item to be added to the primary election next year and asks us (Escambia County Commissioners) to add it, I will vote to do so.  I believe the BCC will put this forward as we should.  Although I am not necessarily supportive of the Elected Superintendent model---I believe if the school board votes for it to be added to the ballot,  the citizens have the right to once again vote on it.  

Although the citizens, by a razor thin margin, voted to change from elected to appointed in 2018 in an off-cycle election with a high Democratic turnout (first Desantis run for Governor versus Andrew Gillum which was also razor close)--this time around I believe the reversion to elected will win overwhelmingly if added to the presidential primary election in March of 2024--as this primary will have a HEAVY Republican turnout and HEAVY Republican interest as a Trump/DeSantis head to head on that same ballot looks more and more likely and certain every day.  And local Republicans support the previous system of governance locally---Elected Superintendent/Elected School Board.

So if it goes to the presidential  primary election in March of next year, just over a year from now, My prediction is it passes by a resounding, 60%-40% margin.  You heard it here first.

Read the School Board Proclamation coming to their (School Board's) March 21st agenda, below.  

  

I'll Be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" at 7:05

I'll be on Rick Outzen's morning drive news/talk program this morning at 7:05

 I've been invited once again to appear on the area's premiere, most highly-rated and best morning drive news radio program, "Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

I'll be joining Rick later this morning, at 7:05, to discuss the latest updates on OLF 8.  And there will be news to report.

Listen live, or catch the podcast here.

I'll be on "Real News with Rick Outzen" on WCOA Tomorrow Morning Discussing the Latest on OLF8 Offers

I'll be the lead-off guest tomorrow morning on the area's best and highest rated morning drive news program-"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA

 

I've been invited to be the lead-off guest tomorrow morning on the area's best, most listened-to and most informative/fact-based morning drive news program---"Real News with Rick Outzen" on 1370 WCOA.

The topic of conversation will be OLF-8 and the now multiple cash offers we have now received for this property and the BCC's next steps going forward.

We may even have other offers between this afternoon and tomorrow morning---if we do, we will discuss it.

Listen in live at 7:00 or catch the podcast here.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! BCC Receives $35 Million Cash Offer for OLF8 This Morning

This morning very early--Members of the BCC and our attorney received a $35 Million Dollar all cash offer for the OLF-8 property in Beulah in District one.

Late last week, we received a $33 Million offer from DR Horton.  This announcement was met with SIGNIFICANT concern and consternation from the constituents I serve.

Although intrigued by DR Horton's offer and the potential that cash infusion could bring to the BCC----this latest offer, below, is more lucrative and comes from a national firm that has already done or is currently working on similar, large footprint mixed-use developments.

And their letter intimates they will work within the existing Master Plan which is a huge plus and should leave the residents I serve in Beulah much more at ease.

And this could be $21 Million dollar "profit" if we can close this deal!

Much more on this--and it will be discussed later this morning at the BCC meeting.  Stay tuned!

Gannett CEO Letter to Escambia Board of County Commissioners: Keep Public Notices in Newspapers (please!)

Last year was a watershed moment as the Florida legislature passed HB 7049 and it was subsequently passed by the senate and approved by the Governor in May, 2022.  The law became effective 1/1/23.

The bill was harshly criticized by the state's print media concerns.  It was criticized by national media as well.  Scare tactics and ominous talking points.  And yet it passed.

Meanwhile, the BCC has already begun publishing most public notices on a lower priced print newspaper not affiliated with the Pensacola News Journal.  There are some legal hurdles the county will have to navigate in order to fully integrate notices on our website--but that is a direction I certainly want to go.

It will save the county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

And my perspective is this--in many instances the local paper has been biased, unfair, and frankly unprofessional and dishonest in how they cover the BCC and individual members of the board with whom they ideologically disagree.  That's been my personal experience with this paper, their string of editors, and their racist, now former cartoonist.  So why would we feed taxpayer revenue to an entity that is so hostile toward us?

Answer (in my opinion) : We shouldn't.  And for my vote, I WON'T.

I am going to work that direction for the savings it will produce for the taxpayers--- to boot.  

Now, this savings (not paying media conglomerates hefty fees for publication of routine public notices) from Escambia County alone may be insignificant to giant corporate players like Gannett--but if more Florida governments follow HB 7049 and publish public notices on their own respective, organic websites----that amount of a revenue loss for media interests will not escape notice.

Thus, the letter the BCC received yesterday, below.

On "Real News with Rick Outzen" Tomorrow Morning at 7:00 Discussing the OLF-8 Sale Issue.

The topic of tomorrow's chat will be
the potential sale of OLF-8 for $33 Million

I've been invited to appear as the lead off guest on tomorrow morning's "Real News with Rick Outzen"--- the area's best, most influential, popular, and fact-based local AM drive news talk program.

The singular topic will be the large offer made by a national firm to purchase our OLF-8 property in District 1 in Beulah.

Nothing we do on that property will make everyone happy--so we will discuss the offer, the next steps, and the process going forward.

We will also discuss the pros and cons of this proposed deal.

Listen in on the area's best morning news program on 1370 WCOA at 7:00

Once Rick publishes the podcast, I will post it here.

$33 Million Dollar Offer, ALL CASH, on the Table for OLF-8

The county has the opportunity to realize a nearly $20 Million Dollar profit if a deal that has been put forward for the purchase of OLF-8 is approved by the board of county commissioners and actually closes.  

The board has received an offer to negotiate / letter of intent for the purchase of the entire OLF-8 property from Escambia County for $33 Million Dollars Cash.

The offer letter was distributed to me an my counterparts this morning.

from the letter:

"The general terms and conditions upon which Purchaser proposes to purchase “The Property” are as follows:

1.                   Purchase Price. The Purchase Price shall be $33,000,000.00 at a single closing. 

2.                   Terms. The Purchase Price will be paid in cash at closing.

3.                   Earnest Money. Within Thirty (30) days after effective date of the Definitive Agreement, Purchaser shall deposit Earnest Money in the amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) into an escrow account. A portion(s) of the earnest money will become non-refundable during the Inspection Period based on predetermined milestone(s) established during the negotiation and execution of the Definitive Agreement."

The agreement goes on to state the following:

"....Purchaser recognizes that Escambia County intends to utilize funds from the Triumph Grant for certain improvements associated with the OLF-8 project. Purchaser intends to cooperate with Escambia County in meeting the requirements contained in Grant Award Agreement.  From and after the execution of this letter, Seller agrees to negotiate exclusively with Purchaser and to refrain from offering or negotiating with any other party for the sale, lease or other disposal of the Property directly or indirectly from the date hereof until the earlier of the closing of the sale or the termination of this letter of intent or the Definitive Agreement. Seller shall not solicit, initiate, pursue, entertain offers, or otherwise consider or accept any other offers with respect to the Property or enter into any contract of sale, lease or similar agreement with respect thereto pending the earlier of the closing of the sale or the termination of this letter of intent or the Definitive Agreement."

Lots to unpack with this offer in hand, lots to consider.  This buyer is a huge national nameed company with significant financial resources.  If the deal were to be made, the county would be clearing nearly $20 Million dollars over and above the costs of acquiring OLF 8 -- which would be a tremendous win for the county and the taxpayers.  $20 Million buys a LOT of badly needed infrastructure.  Lots of it.

We have 10 days to answer this initial letter.

Much more to come on this later in the week....

An Interesting, Entertaining and Informative Chat with State Representative Michelle Salzman on Yesterday's Coffee with the Commissioner

We had a very interesting, informative and entertaining chat with District 1 State Representative Michelle Salzman (as well as County Administrator Wes Moreno and Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore) yesterday morning  on my 80th Coffee with the Commissioner event on Zoom.  (You can watch it on YouTube, above, or on Facebook here)  Lots of topics were covered including the legislature's current special session and what is being considered by the legislature this week during that--as well as a look ahead at some interesting topics and specific bills that will be filed in the upcoming regular session beginning in March.  

Check it out!

What is the Appropriate Speed Limit to set for Frank Reeder Road in Beulah from Bridlewood to Beulah Road?

A thorough, scientific, best practice and fact-based analysis that comports with state standards  was utilized in looking to answer this question:  What is the Appropriate Speed limit to set for Frank Reeder Road in Beulah from Bridelwood to Beulah Road?

After a number of residents asked about speeders on Frank Reeder Road recently and requested information about the current speed limit there, I said I would have professional engineering staff go out and evaluate that road on the area of concern, from Bridlewood to Beulah Road.  Yesterday afternoon, staff completed the analysis of the data collected, and provided the below analysis, discussion, and recommendation based upon State Law, best practices, and scientific facts gleaned from the associated field study they conducted.  It was a very thorough, yet succinct explanation, which I am posting, below:

"Commissioner,

 As requested, we commissioned a speed study in the 45 mph portion of Frank Reeder from Bridlewood to Beulah Road to see what speed vehicles were going. 

It is important to remember that driver behavior is influenced by road conditions and environment more than speed limit signs.  Drivers tend to pay less attention to speed limit signs, which they consider unreasonable unless there is an inordinate degree of enforcement. On the other hand, unreasonably low posted speed limits are commonly violated by drivers making enforcement difficult and operating speeds higher than what would exist with proper realistic posted speed limits.  This is why appropriate speed zoning methodology is needed (and required in Florida) to set speed limits to realistic, enforceable regulations.

Data was collected on Jan 25^th and 26^th over the course of 24 hours in both the east bound and west bound directions near 6626 Frank Reeder Road which is 1,000 feet east of Bridlewood.

We found the following:

               85^th% Speed       Avg Speed          15^th % Speed   10 mph pace      # over 50mph    Total Vehicles

Day 1

EB           45.6 mph             39 mph                31.6 mph       35-44 mph          8 vehicles            437 vehicles

WB         47.8 mph             41 mph                35.7 mph       35-44 mph          33 vehicles          417 vehicles

 

Day 2

EB           44 mph                38.9 mph             31.8 mph       35-44 mph          10 vehicles          423 vehicles

WB         48 mph                41.8 mph             35.4 mph       35-44 mph          38 vehicles          402 vehicles

 

Rationale for a speed zoning determination from the FDOT Speed Zoning Manual indicates the following:  The 85th percentile speed is defined as the speed at or below which 85 percent of the

What Happened at the Traffic Stop?

Just about the most adrenaline-inducing thing a driver can see in his rearview--flashing lights behind you, chasing after you, ahead of an impending  traffic stop.

It was my fault and I deserved it.  So it shouldn't have sent me into a panic or made my adrenaline race along with my pulse and blood pressure.  I was speeding, plain and simple.  And it was dumb.  And next came the flashing lights (No, not like the Kanye West version)--and I got pulled over for it.

Often, however, there are takeaways from such experiences as traffic stops.  I may have had six or so non-accident traffic stops in my adult life-- over the last 40 years or so driving.  And I've had a mixed bag of outcomes.  

The police in Missouri gave me a warning in 2010.  As did the Highway Patrol officer in the middle of nowhere Texas (just West of Ft. Stockton on the I-10) in 2007 and as did a Pensacola Police Officer when I was pulled over by him about five years ago on an early Friday morning on 12th Avenue.

The Parish Policeman in Louisiana, however,  wrote me a ticket in 2013. As did the San Diego PD officer when I got pulled over there in 1992 and as did the San Diego Sheriff's Officer when I got pulled over there in 2003.

So you never know which way one of these will go.  I didn't know how last night's stop would go, either. Lucky number 7--the wrong kind of luck though. 

So, what happened at my traffic stop last night?  

After getting to the center divide of a four lane road, I pulled out making a left in what I thought was enough room so as not to cut off traffic quickly coming up on my rear.  I went all the way over to the slow lane, the right lane, and I stepped on the gas in an attempt to match the speed of the traffic coming up behind me.  In my rearview, I saw what looked like a truck speeding up in my lane then quckly moving into the fast lane to pass me.  But by this time I was up to speed so I thought that was odd.  And there's where the mistake happened.  I saw this, and thought to myself--"Wait---I'm not slowing this guy down, he's not even going to catch up to me--what was that abrupt lane-change about?"  A glance back, and he was gaining on me and I sped up a bit more to out pace him.  Dumb mistake.

Because, at that moment,  he pulled back into my lane and flashed his lights.  It wasn't a truck, it was a police cruiser.  And I was being pulled over.

"Dangit!" I said loudly in my truck cab as I waited for the officer to come to the window. (well, that's not the word I actually used.... but similar, LOL😜)  I shut off the ignition, engaged my flashers, rolled down the driver's side window, and put both hands on the wheel....

The officer approached, identified himself, and then asked if I knew what the speed limit was on this road. (I'm not saying what department the officer works for or precisely where this

Work on Perdido Key Public Beach Access Gravel Lots Completed Yesterday

In advance of next month's commencement of Spring Break on our area beaches--staff from the County's  Parks Division and the Roads Department completed some much needed clean up, leveling and re-grading/smoothing out of 3 of the County's public beach access gravel parking lots yesterday.  See the photos, below.

On "Real News with Rick Outzen" Later this Morning at 7:10

I've been invited to appear on Rick Outzen's morning show on 1370 WCOA this morning at 7:10

Once again I have been invited to appear this morning as the lead-off guest on the area's best, most listened-to, informative, and entertaining morning drive news talk program.  I'll be on at 7:10 with host Rick Outzen's "Real News with Rick Outzen" on the area's best and longest-established talk station, 1370 WCOA.  Topics for discussion will include last week's meeting, the issue with slow-walked payments from the clerk's office, the pumper truck purchase last week for the new Fire Station proposed  on Bauer Road, the new labor agreement reached with the ECFR's Fire Lieutenants, and the area for the new tax collector's office.  We'll also discuss the Governor's proposed $162 Million in new Infrastructure funding for Pine Forest Road/I-10 area of District 1.  Lots of great topics for discussion.

Listen live later this morning, or catch the podcast later today.  I will post it here once Rick publishes it.

80th Coffee with the Commissioner this Wednesday Morning on Zoom at 6:30 AM

Join us as we will have our 80th Coffee with the Commissioner event this coming Wednesday on Zoom. We will get county updates from Administrator Wes Moreno, public safety updates from Public Safety Director Eric Gilmore, and our special guest for the meeting will be District 1 State Representative Michelle Salzman--who will be previewing the soon to commence State Legislative session that starts in early March. We will discuss the County's CORE program, Rep. Salzman's Mental Health Taskforce, the Governor's proposed budget, infrastructure funding, and a host of other transformational education-related legislation that is being filed ahead of the session. Rep. Salzman is not bashful nor is she shy--it will be a GREAT discussion. If you are so inclined, participants can email, text, or live comment questions on my facebook page for our guest.

The live stream will take place from 6:30-7:30 a.m. To join the meeting, visit our Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/CommissionerBergosh/.

For more information, contact District 1 at 850-595-4910 or district1@myescambia.com. For District 1 updates, follow @MyDistrict1 on Twitter.

Staying in our Lanes

If we all stay in our lanes and do our jobs things will function effectively and efficiently.  If not, we are no better than a third-world dictatorship.....

Yesterday evening at the end of our regular BCC meeting (beginning at about 1:16:45 of this video) the board once again wrestled with an issue that should have never, ever been brought forward on another agenda.  It is a settled matter, all but the final payment of $6,900.00.  Or so it should have been.

Sadly, however, the issue had to be brought back for another go-round last night.

Way back on October 6th--- nearly four months ago---the board voted to pay the last of the costs associated with righting a wrong that was put upon a former employee.  Whether or not anyone agreed with the board's course of action on that matter, the bottom line is the county had to settle with that former employee because of numerous mistakes made by now former staff members that didn't do their jobs correctly, period.  His rights were violated, unfounded accusations were leveled against him, and his due process rights were tossed in a garbage can and lit on fire.   The insurance company and their attorneys wisely advised that the issue be settled for $200,000.00 as the case, if brought to a trial, could have cost the county as much as $800,000.00 in settlement fees + legal costs.

Feckless, glib individuals (to include a claims adjuster for the insurance company and even several former county staffers) who do not understand the way things actually work (apparently including several of the lawyers who purportedly worked on our behalf for the insurance company in defending the eventual lawsuit that was brought by this former employee) attempted to foist blame on me for the outcome.  Of course what they did and how they spread that message via their adjuster and even through former county staff was unethical and contrary to the professional, appropriate way a client is to be treated by their attorney (they are lucky no bar complaint was filed).  

But we were not their real client; never were.  Nope.  We figured that out once we received their emails and assessment of the case documents---after the fact.  You know, the texts and emails they never thought we would see.  No, their real client was always their insurance company that paid their salaries.  They didn't think too much of the commissioners nor did they care for me.  So what.  Do a job.  That's what I say.  Because the seminal, most important axiom of reality these "lawyers" never admitted to nor conceded was the fact that had this matter gone to trial-- I would have NEVER been called to testify at such a trial as I was not a fact witness to the events upon which I have opined and testified truthfully under oath during my deposition.  

They should have known that, and probably did.  

Yet they still assigned blame to a commissioner when the fact of the matter was I told the truth and they were dealt a bum case with fact patterns they didn't have the chops nor the will to overcome.  Period.

Setting that ALL aside, they brazenly claimed that my truthful testimony once I was deposed somehow "tanked the case"  Garbage, rubbish lie.

So after all that smoke cleared, the final settlement costs this former employee incurred in order to get on with his life and career totalled $6,900.00 dollars.  The board of county commissioners voted 3-1 that the payment of this sum be made to settle the costs with the state on behalf of this former employee. Further, the board also voted that in it's view this payment was appropriate and served a public purpose/interest.  

October 6th we voted that.   (See the discussion and vote beginning at 3:17:41 of this video)

But the clerk never paid it.  

Only when she was asked about the delay, 90 days later,  did her office gave a weak set of excuses about why it wasn't paid.

The clerk didn't bother to tell our attorney or any of us she had a problem with the payment for 90 days until she was prodded on it.

Why not?

Well, many of us suspect it is all related to other pending issues she has with the BCC.  Nobody knows for sure except her, but it doesn't matter now, because last night the board once again had to reopen this messy affair and discuss it.  And again, the board made a 3-1 vote.

This time, though, the 3-1 was made to allow our attorney to utilize the court to compel payment of this item.  I predict a writ of mandamus will be filed, and hopefully it will be considered swiftly in the circuit court so the previously BCC approved, lawful and appropriate payment------at long last----- can be made.

As I said in the meeting last night---I believe to not make that payment is an attempt at usurping the board's power.  It isn't right.  We all have to stay in our lanes and if we don't--things devolve and fall apart and we become dysfunctional like a third-world banana republic or worse.

More to come on this.  Much more.

NO--Beulah Interchange Project was NOT Skipped over for the #2 Project

The Governor's newly announced $7 Billion Legislative Initiative, "Moving Florida Forward," put forth to streamline and fund construction of badly needed, much anticipated infrastructure projects statewide----- includes a massive $162 Million in NEW funding for the regional Transportation Planning Organization's (TPO) #2 Priority and #1 unfunded priority.  NO--the Beulah Interchange Project was NOT skipped over for the area TPO's #2 project 

At first glance the recently announced slate of projects recommended for fast-track funding by the Governor in the upcoming legislative session may have appeared to skip the Beulah Interchange (#1 area project) in favor of the #2 ranked project.  However, upon speaking with transportation planning organization staff--some clarification was provided which puts this huge initiative's impact locally into better context.  This new funding will actually enhance things that are already funded in D1/D5 and portions of D3 in NW Escambia County.  It will be a HUGE win if the legislature moves forward with this initiative from Governor Ron DeSantis.  From the email:

"Beulah interchange is fully funded within the FDOT 10 year Transportation Improvement Program and appears to be on schedule for delivery (meaning right of way and construction commencing, if all goes right, within the next 6 years).  The right-of-way will take a couple years for completion, thus there is very little room to advance this project beyond the current schedule.  SIS priority #2 (I-10 widening and the interchange) is a logical choice because with Beulah being fully funded in the FDOT 10-year Transportation Improvement Program, this project was not.  In fact, our documents projected constructed outwards of 2041 timeframe.  So this Florida Forward proposal does, in fact, advance this project significantly. .. “We are very excited to learn of the “Moving Florida Forward” proposal by Governor DeSantis.  If this proposal is adopted by the legislature, it will bring $162 million new dollars to Northwest Florida that would not have been available, to advance the TPO’s #1 unfunded project nearly 2 decades!  Thanks to Governor DeSantis and Secretary Perdue for introducing this proposal.”

 

Yes, the wins are stacking up for the Escambia BCC, Escambia County, and NW Escambia County in particular.  #Winning.

Homeless "Encampments" Popping Up all over the County--Citizens NOT Happy About it

The "shanty-town" (pictured 2-1-23) homeless encampment groing on Mobile Hwy at Michigan Avenue in Escambia County is drawing the ire of citizens that want something done to clean it up......

"Is this what we want visitors to Escambia County to see at the first exit coming off the bridge into our area?"  The caller asked dryly.  And angrily.

He's obviously fed up with what he is seeing in his neighborhood off of Scenic Highway where, right next to the Dairy Queen/Gas station off of the exit and very near dozens of multi-million dollar homes and properties, there is a fledgling pop-up encampment growing right off the side of the road. 

"They are so brazen, they have even brought a couch and placed it right on the side of the road on Scenic Highway--they are sitting on it and eye-balling us as we sit in traffic--it's ridiculous!"

He is heated.  He wants action, he wants this blight to be addressed by the county.  He is not alone, either,  because we have had multiple issues come up over the last year or so, and this issue seems to be growing, not subsiding....

Like issues in my district where we had a massive forest fire erupt that could have taken out an entire subdivision off of Hwy 98 due to a campfire in a homeless camp getting out of control in the adjacent wooded property.

Like what the city dealt with under the I-110 bridge where drug use, crime, theft, prostitution, and other illicit activity was rampant until the city disbursed that campground.

Like what we are seeing on Herman Street....Like what we saw under the bridge on Brent Lane... 

And like what we are now seeing in an area off of Mobile Hwy (Formerly D1, now D3)  Where a group of about 9 homeless individuals have sent up a miniature "shanty-town" right in the FDOT easement of Mobile Hwy------directly in front of the Publix Grocery store there and multiple small businesses.  I have had numerous complaints about this from multiple citizens.

Something has to be done.  This isn't Portland, this isn't Seattle nor is it San Franscisco.  And we don't

More Big Economic Development WINs for Escambia County at Triumph Gulf Coast Yesterday!

Approved Yesterday:  $20 Million + in Economic Development Projects for Escambia County from the BP Oil Spill Settlement Proceeds--$14.2 for District 1's OLF-8 road infrastructure initiative...

Yesterday was a huge day for Escambia County as two big projects moved forward and were approved at the Triumph Gulf Coast meeting in Panama City.  The projects, totalling more than $20 Million Dollars, will allow for the growth of jobs at Escambia's OLF 8 property in District 1 via the construction of a high quality, durable road from 9-Mile Road to Frank Reeder road, as well as associated drainage and utilities.  This will bi-sect the property and has been something multiple potential developers had looked upon as "must have" infrastructure for the field's development to commence.

The second project approved yesterday, project laser, will help to fund a manufacturing research center of excellence.

The board members received the below email notifying us of the vote by Triumph yesterday afternoon from Scott Luth, CEO of Florida West Economic Development Alliance.  From the email:

"The Triumph Gulf Coast board voted to support two Escambia projects yesterday afternoon totaling over $20 million. 

 The County OLF8, $14.2 million, road and infrastructure project term sheet was approved and recommended for a full contract. This is a tremendous milestone project to develop publicly owned, competitive, light industrial park property to help our community keep and expand our existing business and attract new business.

 The PEDC, $6 million, Project Laser full application was approved and recommended for term sheet development. This is a partnership project between PEDC, Pensacola State College, Space Florida, and LIFT to establish a new manufacturing research center of excellence in our community (Please see the Triumph Staff recommendation of our project attached).

 I would like to thank the Triumph staff and our two Triumph board members from Escambia County, David Bear and Collier Merrill, for their support and leadership. 

 Both of these projects would not have moved to this stage without the help and support of the City, County, and many other partners. 

 While these are great first steps and represent a lot of work thus far, we will now begin to move the projects forward to realize the long term benefits this potential investment will have within our community.  I appreciate your support of our community"

About Florida West

About Triumph Gulf Coast