Saturday, June 30, 2012

PolitiJax: Mayor Alvin Brown's signature starts economic overhaul

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown signed legislation Thursday establishing a new economic development setup, bringing to fruition a concept he said he started discussing 2? years ago.

Economic development efforts will be led by a chief economic development officer working in the mayor's office, rather than by a commission as had been done for years.

"This is the beginning of something bigger," Brown said.

The new process will allow incentive deals to be approved within about a month, the mayor said, rather than the three months they can take now. The legislation was approved by the City Council on Tuesday. Next month, it is expected to take up a companion piece of legislation that will create an agency focused on downtown development.

Both of those pieces of legislation were signature issues for Brown, who took office a year ago Sunday. Taking a year to get the economic development system in place wasn't too long, he said Thursday.

During that time, Brown said, the administration was able to sit down with stakeholders and get feedback on the idea.

"I think a year was great timing," he said.

Barco to stay on Fish and Wildlife board
A Jacksonville resident who's been a member of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will continue to serve on the state board in a leadership role.

Kathy Barco was named the commission's vice chairwoman Thursday. Barco has served as chairwoman in the past.

Kenneth Wright of Winter Park was named chairman.

Barco, co-owner of Barco-Duval Engineering, has served on the commission since 2004.

For your daily politics fix, check out the Times-Union's PolitiJax blog on Jacksonville.com and sign up for Florida Morning, a daily newsletter compiled each morning by Times-Union writer Matt Dixon. Follow Matt on Twitter @MDixon55.

Source: http://feeds.jacksonville.com/~r/JacksonvillecomsNewsSportsAndEntertainment/~3/64bceJ_ORIM/politijax-mayor-alvin-browns-signature-starts-economic-overhaul

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