Economic development efforts in the Town of Century are getting ratcheted up, through a new partnership with the University of West Florida.
The Escambia County Commission voted unanimously last week to approve the contract between the Century Chamber of Commerce and the Haas Center, for the latter to take over implementation of a plan it developed for Century.
Cindy Anderson, a former TEAM Santa Rosa executive director, spent about a year overseeing the Chamber’s economic development efforts. She now has a similar job with the Northwest Florida Manufacturer’s Council.
Brice Harris with the Haas Center says they got involved about a year ago, when Century officials were looking for a consulting organization to conduct an economic development strategic and implementation plan.
“The University of West Florida’s Haas Center actually responded to a competitive solicitation process,” said Harris. “The Haas Center was fortunate to have been the recipient of that contract, and we completed the plan and delivered it to the Town of Century this past summer.”
While developing the plan -- based upon the Florida Chamber of Commerce “Six Pillars” framework -- Harris says they learned that the town’s economic outlook was bleak, thanks in part to a shrinking population – currently about 1,500 residents but projected to drop to about 1,400 over the next couple of years. Another roadblock is Century’s 41% poverty rate.
Century Mayor Freddie McCall says using a $25,000 grant, requests for proposals – or RFP’s – went out in search of an organization to walk the town through the economic study.
“It was three or four different people,” McCall said. “Some people in Miami, Tampa and down south. But the Haas Center won out with our committee that was meeting on it, and was awarded the contract to write it up.”
The Century Chamber will use a $40,000 grant from the Escambia County Commission to pay Cindy Anderson’s replacement. Meanwhile, Century is not without assets that are ready to be utilized. Brice Harris at the Haas Center says that includes the town’s Industrial Park.
“The industrial park has, among other assets, has what’s referred to as the ‘Helicopter Building,’” said Harris. “That I think would suit many purposes for many light- and medium-industrial types of organizations. Obviously the Alger-Sullivan site is still there.”
But Century Mayor Freddie McCall says they don’t want just any type of industry and jobs.
“We want something clean,” McCall said. “We don’t want hazardous stuff. We want jobs – good, clean environmental jobs.”
McCall terms the agreement “the best of both worlds.” Using county funds for the Chamber position, and the contract with UWF’s Haas Center to implement the plan, which contains both short- and long-term projects, and is expected to be years in the making.
