Local Economic Stimulus Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

By the end of 2007, St. Lucie County had one of the highest unemployment rates in the State of Florida and one of the largest foreclosure rates in the nation. The national economic downturn hit St. Lucie County hard, especially in the construction industry, where more than 700 jobs were lost in 2007. While federal stimulus funding was scheduled to be distributed to states and counties around the nation, the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners sought to stabilize the local economy and put people back to work by creating its own Local Economic Stimulus Program, along with a Local Economic Stimulus Ordinance. Approved in April 2009, this ordinance gave local contractors preference when bidding on construction jobs. Typically, Florida state law requires counties to award bids to the lowest bidder, unless a Declaration of Emergency is declared. Therefore, as part of the Local Stimulus Ordinance, a Local State of Emergency was declared. Commissioners also identified a number of capital projects to be part of the Local Economic Stimulus Program, where the jobs would be awarded to only those local contractors who agreed to hire at least 75 percent of their workforce from the immediate area and purchase 75 percent of their materials locally. The Board of County Commissioners compiled a list of capital projects totaling more than $38 million to be included under the Local Stimulus Program, which is set to expire in April 2010. Additionally, as part of the Local Economic Stimulus Program, Commissioners directed staff to create a new Vendor Registration Form in order to update its list of vendors when departments are seeking quotes for projects that are under $50,000 and do not require formal bids. The program created more than 500 jobs in the past year alone.