Economic Action Workshop deemed a success

LEESBURG - The Lake County Board of County Commissioners held its first Economic Action Workshop at Lake-Sumter Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 1 with over 100 people in attendance.

“We really appreciate everyone’s participation,” said Darren Gray, County Manager. “It’s only through communication and dialogue that we will make Lake County a better place to prosper.”

The event was organized as a round-table discussion that included representatives from local businesses, government agencies and community organizations.

The discussion centered on ways to enhance Lake County’s economic outlook and promote Lake County as a business-friendly community. Attendees were encouraged to brainstorm ideas and give input on the County’s vision. Also discussed were strengths and weaknesses for marketing Lake County to businesses, along with specific suggestions and policies that need to be addressed.

The information gathered at the workshop will be used to develop an Economic Development Action Plan to present to Commissioners and residents in the next 45 days.

The County began actively soliciting suggestions from the community last December for ways to grow business in Lake County. Suggestions received were used for planning the discussion at the workshop. 

The County is once-again soliciting community input in anticipation of an additional workshop to be held in March.Ideas and suggestions can be submitted by logging on to the Lake County website at www.lakecountyfl.gov/businessideas, and either downloading the form to submit via U.S. mail, fax, hand-delivery or e-mail; or by filling out the available Web form. The next deadline for submissions is March 4.