By ROCCO MAGLIO
The Thirteenth Biennial Hernando County Community Summit was held at the Timber Pines
Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 11, 2021. The event was hosted by Hernando Progress whose mission is to “enhance economic opportunity and diversify the tax base of Hernando County.”
The event featured presentations by economic analysts, the County Administration, School Board Member Jimmy Lodato, educational professionals, medical professionals, and State Senator Wilton Simpson.
There was a large focus on building a workforce to attract businesses to the area. Key business sectors have been identified by the county economic development department and businesses in those areas are the target for recruitment, retention, and expansion.
One of the major presentations was the Hernando County Citizen Center for Success. This planned educational center is to be a collaboration of Pasco Hernando State College, Suncoast Technical Education Center, the Hernando County School District and private companies.
The campus will be centered around the large educational building, but will also house several government offices including possibly the Supervisor of Elections. It is to be located on the 17.94-acre property that the county recently acquired from the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport (also controlled by the County) for $1,794,000. The property is located to the east of Gale Insulation (Towards US-41) on Spring Hill Drive.
The Hernando County School District is receiving $9.35 million in state funding to develop and operate the new career and technical college under the fiscal year 2021-2022 budget signed June 2 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. This funding will only cover a part of the building, the actual building and government complex will likely cost several times the amount, the county and the school district will be required to cover this difference.
The Summit provided attendees with information on the Economic Development that is being planned for Hernando County.
