CHAMBER GATHERS FEDERAL, STATE OFFICIALS 2024 March 16
Nearly fifteen federal and state officials met with approximately twenty Cedar Key area Chaber of Commerce members on Tuesday, March 12, at the Nature Coast Biological Stations’ third floor classroom, at 2 pm until nearly 5 pm.
Milton Cochran, Economic Development Integrator, Field Coordinator, U.S. Economic Development Administration, welcomed the group. He briefly explained the background, as stated in the day’s agenda, necessary to understand the more than dozen in attendance:
“The DR-4734-FL Economic Recovery Support Function (Economic RSF) has been mission-assigned by FEMA under the National Disaster Recovery Framework to serve Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. The Economic RSF is coordinated through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA).”
“The DR-4734-FL Economic Recovery Support Function (Economic RSF) has been mission-assigned by FEMA under the National Disaster Recovery Framework to serve Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. The Economic RSF is coordinated through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA).”
Cochran further explained the meeting’s purpose, varying from the agenda’s articulated purpose. Cochran moved the focus to Cedar Key, instead of Levy County, and posed three questions to the locals here, asking them to : cite their Hurricane Idalia experiences; cite their needs after the storm that were not addressed; and cite what would be helpful now.
After a welcome and thanks to the visitors and locals in attendance by Chamber of Commerce President Doug Lindhout, Lindhout proceeded to overview the conditions in Cedar Key immediately after the storm, citing the speedy clearing of streets nd efficient return of electricity, return of water /wastewater usage, and the internet/cell services. He further offered a longitudinal graph of the Chamber of Commerce visitors, noting its heights and troughs.
Greg Vaday, Economic Development Representative, U.S. Economic Development Administration asked the questions of locals and encouraged them to ask for what they will need in the long term, as hurricane events will recur.
Realtors Caryn Stephenson and Mendy Allen spoke about: their resilience-focused construction which left their buildings in better condition than many others on the island; the fact that the media paid much attention to the damage in the area , thus minimizing customers and income; and the need or affordable housing for the workers helping them reestablish their properties.
Aquaculture water persons Joe Cannon and Phil Collis spoke to: the “80 – 90% loss” in their product; the consequent loss of cash flow; the necessary depletion of savings; and the gap required to grow more product generating no money.
Nature Coast Biological Station Director Dr. Mike Allen addressed: the proactive, ongoing effort of his station; and Drs. Savanna Bary and Mark Clark’s work on the reliance of G Street, Airport Road, and Joe Rains Beach. He briefly overviewed the hurricane’s devastation of some of our natural resources and resulting debris.
Raptor biologist Jane Veltkamp spoke the the multitude of bird life and its economically positive lure to visitors to Cedar Key.
City of Cedar Key Mayor Sue olson noted the City of Cedar Ky’s close working relationship with Levy County officials and their aggressive stance regarding hurricanes with the annual Hurricane Preparedness / Hazardous Waste Removal Day, which provides both massive informational assistance to residents while removing toxins, and recycling them properly, from households long before the storm event. She farther noted the ear Key Water and Sewer District’s amassing of grants to raise and refurbish ten of its seventeen lift stations.
The city’s directing and documenting 1 700 post Idalia volunteers and logging 7,800 hours of assistance on the island, Colson noted, may well result in no dollars being paid to FEMA for debris removal. Her message is : the city is proactive, ready, and eager to help itself and others and welcomes collaboration.
Colson made Vaday aware of the 300% increase in Food Pantry clients due to no functioning grocery store. The removal of the wastewater plant off the island is the most critical element to all here today, she nod; if toilets can not flush and the water aare no longer clean for aquaculture, no one will remain on the island.
At the end of the meeting, all attendees agreed on the facts that:
• Cedar Key’s economic lure emanates directly from its natural resources;
• the city and the community are aggressive about proactive resilience;
• the need for affordable housing forservice personnel is of paramount importance;
• public media works to disadvantage the town after a storm;
• cash flow for small businesses post hurricane events is huge.
• Cedar Key’s economic lure emanates directly from its natural resources;
• the city and the community are aggressive about proactive resilience;
• the need for affordable housing forservice personnel is of paramount importance;
• public media works to disadvantage the town after a storm;
• cash flow for small businesses post hurricane events is huge.
The meeting ended aat 4:45 pm.
*****