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Gadsden County Development Council seeks renewed county funding to coordinate economic development
Summary
Antonio Jefferson of the Gadsden County Development Council told commissioners the council needs county support — asking for $160,000 — to unify local economic development efforts and attract investment.
Antonio Jefferson, representing the Gadsden County Development Council (GCDC), told the board the council has helped secure jobs, write grants and coordinate partners, and asked the county to reinstate funding to support a statewide- and regionally-connected rural economic development effort.
"We need to begin to play team sport," Jefferson told commissioners during public comment, and he asked the board to invest $160,000 in the Gadsden County Development Council so the organization can continue coordinating cities, colleges and economic partners. Jefferson described the council's work since its February formation and said it helped co-write county partnership grant proposals and supported local infrastructure and business recruitment.
Jefferson recounted a history of intermittent county support for the council: he said the board previously provided funding and later allowed that funding to lapse. He listed local outcomes the council associates with its work, including private-sector projects and infrastructure grants, and said surrounding counties have modeled programs on Gadsden's efforts.
Commissioners thanked Jefferson for the presentation and some said they would like staff to include the council's request in budget deliberations for consideration alongside other priorities. No formal action or vote was taken; commissioners directed staff to include economic-development funding requests in the budget packet and to provide more detail about deliverables and accountability measures.
Ending: The council's funding request will be considered as part of the budget process; commissioners asked staff to return with options and clarifying deliverables.
