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Not A Turkey After All? Florida TaxWatch Informs DeSantis Of Support For The Bluffs Industrial Complex In Cantonment
June 18, 2020
Last week, The Bluffs in Cantonment was included in the 2020 Budget Turkey Watch Report released by Florida TaxWatch in the think tank’s annual independent review of the state’s budget, and they recommended that Gov. Ron Desantis veto funding for the project.
But now TaxWatch says The Bluffs was named a budget turkey due to a longstanding position that programs that are not in the Florida Department of Transportation Work Program in that budget year should not be funded with State Transportation Trust Fund dollars.
“However, in the recent past Florida TaxWatch undertook a thorough independent research study, Expanding Florida’s High-Tech Manufacturing Sector, the results of which proved that an investment aiding the development of The Bluffs would help grow Florida’s Economy and create jobs for hard-working Floridians, especially in Northwest Florida,” Dominic M. Calabro, president and CEO of Florida TaxWatch wrote in a letter Tuesday to DeSantis.
“It is important to note that our issue with this project was one of a technical process, not the net economic benefits that will enrich both the Panhandle and the entire Sunshine State. Florida TaxWatch fully supports The Bluffs and we hope that you will too,” Calabro continued.
Announced in late 2015, The Bluffs was envisioned as the home of up to 60 new industrial and manufacturing companies and more than 15,000 jobs. The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south.
Comments
12 Responses to “Not A Turkey After All? Florida TaxWatch Informs DeSantis Of Support For The Bluffs Industrial Complex In Cantonment”
Strange that a news item about a Chamber of Commerce industrial-development effort got turned into attacks on ECUA and the District 5 rep who just happens to be up for reelection. It is a Chamber project, not an ECUA project. “Pressure from ECUA “? Hardly. No pressure, just progress. Meanwhile, as DHG noted, we sit on the acreage because we will need some of it if IP—or GP—should shut down. And if the Chamber should bring in an industrial plant that wanted a small piece of of ECUA land, we would make it available in a heartbeat! I hope that my election challenger thinks more clearly on such matters than this supporter of his does. David Huie Green, thank you for thoughtful comments, as always.
REGARDING:
“Because GP and IP take the bulk of the reclaimed water of the CWRF, most of the original land purchase is not needed.”
It might be worth remembering people within the county are constantly working to shut International Paper down. If they succeed, IP will not be there to take that water and some of that land might be needed.
It might not happen, but there is no certainty.
David for good outcomes
REGARDING:
“As for the new plant, it isn’t as if y’all did us a favor or something. We paid for something that should’ve been done a long time ago.”
The fact that it hadn’t been done reminds us tings do not happen on their own. Someone has to actually do them or nothing happens.
A common expression says, You get what you pay for.
Actually, You SOMETIMES get what you pay for.
@Larry Walker– You speak as if everyone is in an uproar about the environmental dangers. That’s a secondary concern to me and you only need to look below how some, I would say many people feel. Most are just silent. The way they will be until the day comes (soon) when we see some very dark times for America. As for the new plant, it isn’t as if y’all did us a favor or something. We paid for something that should’ve been done a long time ago. My husband worked on it (plumber). My cousin an engineer for H.O.A.R. who was the GC over the project, who btw is an out of state contracted. Yeah, great way to keep those dollars here in Escambia County.
ECUA bought 2000 acres of land in around 2006 as part of the Central Water Reclamation Facility (CWRF) project, which provided Escambia County with a hurricane-proof, world-class wastewater treatment plant. The CWRF has zero discharge into the adjacent Escambia River; instead, it provides about 13 MGD of reclaimed water to Gulf Power and International Paper. It also allowed end of use and demolition of the old downtown Main Street plant, which allowed an economic boost to downtown Pensacola that has benefited the entire county. Because GP and IP take the bulk of the reclaimed water of the CWRF, most of the original land purchase is not needed. It is now a managed forestry area and wildlife preserve. Some of it is included in the proposed Bluffs industrial project. What is there to dislike about any of this? I am proud to have been District 5’s ECUA board member throughout all of this.
@JW. ABSOLUTELY ! Those of us born and raised here learned the value of “community”. Now, even in my rural area, I don’t know most of the people at the store or the supermarket. Used to be the other way around. I leave for work at 5:15. Have done so for many years. Just 15 years ago, didn’t hardly see anyone on Hwy 29. Now it’s packed. Besides, the people coming here DO NOT share our values. And they come and immediately begin trying to change what attracted them to move out here in the first place. So yes, disgusted would be putting it mildly. I’d rather the entire country be set back 30 years.
@JW
You are absolutely right! Many of us that were brought up around this area were taught right from our parents, taught to be happy with little in life rather constantly want for more and I really hope this doesn’t offend you.
Moving here has taught me one thing…this area HATES growth and change. People would rather live with little than to expand and grow.
How many people from Pensacola will actually get those jobs?
How many more houses will be built to accomodate those jobs?
How much more traffic will it bring to roads like hwy 29?
We dont need or want anymore traffic on hwy 29!!!
Don’t waste our money on a pit to throw more money away in.
With this neat industrial park, I wonder about the future quality of Escambia River.
But really, who is worried about any environmental issues when we’re creating so many JOBS?
Here comes the pressure from your ECUA who happens to own 2,000 acres on and around Beck’s Lake Road. What have they done for you today? By the way, if you are not happy with your current ECUA Board member, you have the opportunity to tell them by VOTING them out.