Governor Cris pilots Economic Gardening
Perhaps you've heard the new buzz word "Economic Gardening" floating around the country in recent days. Well, due to the economic short-fall in Florida, the states legislature is poised to pilot a new program to cultivate small business in Florida. If customer confidence has been a factor in the banking credit crunch nationwide, then why spend a lot on tourism advertising?
The proposition is that helping small businesses can in turn create new jobs in cities and states. During the recent session of state's legislature, economic gardening pilot was approved for $10 million. Lawmakers will make available low interest loans for up to $250,000 for small Florida business that employ 10 - 99 workers.
Originally, lawmakers wanted to devote from $50 - 100 million in low interest small business loans, but the current budget did not permit it. "I wish I had more money, but $10 million is an awful lot " said Charlie Cris when he was recently asked about the success of the program.
One example of the effectiveness of economic gardening was in Littleton Colorado. During the financial crisis of 1987, employer Martin Marietto cut thousands of jobs causing crippling layoffs. Development experts decided to foster small business instead of outsourcing small business and the results were astounding.
From 1990 to 2005, employment grew in Littleton 135% compared with a smaller growth of 47.2% for all of the state of Colorado. During that same year the growth nationwide was only 21.4%.
The proposition is that helping small businesses can in turn create new jobs in cities and states. During the recent session of state's legislature, economic gardening pilot was approved for $10 million. Lawmakers will make available low interest loans for up to $250,000 for small Florida business that employ 10 - 99 workers.
Originally, lawmakers wanted to devote from $50 - 100 million in low interest small business loans, but the current budget did not permit it. "I wish I had more money, but $10 million is an awful lot " said Charlie Cris when he was recently asked about the success of the program.
One example of the effectiveness of economic gardening was in Littleton Colorado. During the financial crisis of 1987, employer Martin Marietto cut thousands of jobs causing crippling layoffs. Development experts decided to foster small business instead of outsourcing small business and the results were astounding.
From 1990 to 2005, employment grew in Littleton 135% compared with a smaller growth of 47.2% for all of the state of Colorado. During that same year the growth nationwide was only 21.4%.
posted by michael at
11:10 AM
