 Precision Perfect Could Be Ticket To The Future For Hernando County By RON RAE Guest columnist Published: Apr 25, 2008 The doctor is in. The diagnosis is apparent. The prognosis is one of positive results, unless the health care provider denies treatment. Recovery may take a few years, but patience and determination of the doctors could provide a means for the afflicted to correct the maladies inherent with the ailment.
The ailment is the stagnant prospects of a Hernando County achieving a balance of economic well-being. The health care provider is county government. The primary decision to wield the necessary surgical instruments lies with department heads within the government. They are lax at correcting decisions that have taken the life and breath out of our local economy. The wheezing of the asthmatic condition of the economy has progressively worsened, impaling a community in dire need of a healthy dose of oxygen. Gasping for air can be replaced with a bellow.
Out with the bad, in with the good.
John Selway and co-owner Jeffrey Walz of Precision Alliance Company hope to bring some 135 machine tool manufacturing businesses to a 2 million-square-foot industrial park. Sounds like a big order to fill, but his existing company, Eurotech, has been in Brooksville for more than 30 years. He is aware of the needs of the community in terms of a diversified, positive outlook for the future. That future is just around a couple of corners: The goal is to make this happen within five years.
The Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Business Development Director Mike McHugh are understandably keen on the idea. For years McHugh has taunted residents with visions of bringing manufacturing jobs to our county. His successes are well known. Rather than twiddling his thumbs and crossing his fingers to attract new business, he can now spend his days evaluating, discussing and setting in motion a means to bring this dreamy idea to fruition.
No more nightmares, please.
Considering how Hernando County is viewed as a “bedroom community,” this is an opportunity of the new millennium. Finally, someone is taking the initial steps that may drag those sleepy-eyed residents out of bed, take a walk on the wild side of higher education and plan for the possibility of financial security. Without the support of qualified technical applications, Precision Alliance will have no choice but take their project to a location outside Hernando County. I frown at this prospect.
The Hernando County School Board, Pasco-Hernando Community College and Nature Coast Technical High School will have their opportunities to provide the necessary technically skilled laborers that these businesses require. There will be challenges to meet those needs, but professionals of education relish in demonstrating their prowess. This is of monumental importance.
The specific needs of manufacturing businesses do not rely on workers toiling in a greasy, grimy environment as some may falsely assume, but necessitates a higher degree of education that satisfies the knowledge of computer-based applications.
After two and a half years as a resident in the county, I had all but given up on the conservative (lazy?) nature of the community leaders to deliver their professed interest in bringing job opportunities other than retail, construction and lawn maintenance to locations within our borders. These are important means of employment for many, but the limitations are evident. These elusive alternative goals are here for the taking, delivered on a silver platter.
County commissioners have been overly zealous in approving housing developments during the past three years, apparently assuming that commuters working in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will inhabit them along with retirees. Hickory Hill, Sunrise and, recently, Lake Hideaway promise more than 10,000 new homes in the next 10 to 20 years. Perhaps construction will begin sooner than projected. In the meantime, there are plenty of homes on the market to fulfill many of the necessary housing needs that will come with the manufacturing jobs.
Wouldn't it grand to see those “For Sale” signs dwindle, where overgrown lots with foreclosure notices have brought down home values and when builders and investors can unload unoccupied new homes? And talk about a real estate boom? It would be a win-win situation for a multitude of local businesses.
Perhaps more important to families, there will be the possibility of seeing their kids taking the necessary technical courses to secure local employment. Perhaps the expenses traveling to locations south of here will be less attractive, saving precious time and money to garner respectable wages to raise their own families. Just think how the average annual household income in Hernando County would eventually increase from about $28,000 to more than $30,000 — or higher.
The hiring of an estimate 4,000 high-paying, high-technicians would bring salaries upwards of $40,000. Let me do the figuring for you: That equals $16,000,000 in wages for jobs in Hernando County. That's a lot of zeros — a pretty sight to see.
Is it possible local residents will contact friends, relatives and business associates to consider moving here from locations outside of Florida? Keep in mind this industry will provide a means for Hernando County to “go global.” Marketing of services targets businesses the world over. The initial location would be at the Hernando County Airport Industrial Park, a gateway to success.
This may be the dawning of a new day.
My personal comments may foresee the prospects for a positive future along Hernando County's Nature Coast, but the heart and soul of this news lies at the Web sight http://www.moveyourbusinesstoflorida.com. The smiley face of Joseph Selway gives an assurance that drastic economic fortunes could be forthcoming in the next few years.
My suggestion for Hernando Today readers is to share this information with family and friends. Right now there's time to plan for the future and secure the technical training that will be required of the job applications. Contact county leaders, including County Administrator Dave Hamilton, the commissioners and McHugh. Not only express your interest, but also explain your expectations of making this opportunity not just a done deal but also a big deal.
Don't tell me, “It can't happen here.” It can! Precision Alliance Co. can make this a venture that is precision perfect.
Ron Rae, who lives in Spring Hill, worked for 25 years in the telecommunications industry. |
