Everglades restoration projects improve rural economies

• South Florida Water Management District partners with education centers and businesses to increase economic opportunities

WEST PALM BEACH, Oct. 15, 2007 -- Boosting South Florida's economic outlook is successfully proving to be an added bonus of Everglades restoration as employment and business opportunities continue to expand with the South Florida Water Management District. The District recently strengthened its partnerships with workforce development organizations, community colleges and non-profits to train area workers and provide the goods and services needed to tackle $1.8 billion in Everglades Restoration projects.

Two District initiatives, the Small Business Enterprise program and Workforce Training Initiative, are functioning in concert to boost contract prospects for local businesses in the Palm Beach, Hendry, Lee, Martin and St. Lucie county areas, while at the same time increasing the availability of skilled workers needed to operate bulldozers, drive dump trucks and pour concrete. These efforts are helping to expand contract prospects for minority businesses as well.

To date, more than $11 million has been spent throughout Florida on subcontractors and direct purchases for restoration projects -- approximately 75 percent of the total service dollars -- with more than $5 million spent within the District's 16-county region. In the immediate Pahokee, South Bay, Belle Glade and Clewiston areas, approximately $2.2 million has been spent to date. One example is the purchase of vehicles needed to support work on the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project near South Bay. More than 30 vehicles have been purchased from Belle Glade area dealerships.

"Everglades Restoration projects are bringing measurable improvement to local economies and the environment," said District Governing Board Member Patrick Rooney. "It's a winning combination."

Workforce Training Initiative
To increase the availability of qualified local workers, the District contracted with the Education Center of Southwest Florida and with Palm Beach Community College to train and certify workers in heavy equipment operation and construction trades.

The District has invested more than $1.2 million in partnerships with these two institutions. To date, their training programs have produced 131 construction craft graduates and 130 heavy equipment graduates. Depending on experience and certifications, construction graduates can earn $12 to $35 an hour; heavy equipment graduates can earn $12 to $22 an hour.

To date, Southern Everglades Restoration work has created more than 250 jobs, and generated more than $5 million in payroll to area residents.

Small Business Enterprise
To expand its vendor lists, the District has certified more than 1,000 small businesses to work on Everglades Restoration projects. Through the Small Business Enterprise program, these businesses are given additional consideration when the District solicits project bids and proposals. The list of certified businesses is also made directly available to large contractors seeking qualified subcontractors.

The Small Business Enterprise program is heavily promoted at the grassroots level through community resource groups, African-American and Hispanic builder and trade associations, ministerial alliances, local governments, chambers of commerce and workforce resource centers.

In addition to the economic benefits, Southern Everglades Restoration projects will provide more flood control and water supply options, along with the potential for public recreational opportunities. Projects now under way include three massive aboveground reservoirs designed to capture and store stormwater runoff, providing an additional water source to meet irrigation and urban demands for water -- after environmental needs are met. For additional information about Everglades Restoration please visit the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan website

The South Florida Water Management District is a regional, governmental agency that oversees the water resources in the southern half of the state -- 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys. It is the oldest and largest of the state's five water management districts. The agency mission is to manage and protect water resources of the region by balancing and improving water quality, flood control, natural systems and water supply. A key initiative is cleanup and restoration of the Everglades.

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