Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey is taking issue with the less-than-stellar economic forecast offered by the Florida Chamber of Commerce for Leon County. He took his case directly to local business leaders.
Florida Chamber of Commerce president Mark Wilson recently criticized city and county leaders for not having a common economic vision for the area.
Dailey disagreed with that while speaking to the Network of Entrepreneurs & Business Advocates, or NEBA. He says when he was elected mayor 5 years ago, one of the first things he did was develop a strategic plan.
“...so that we can remain focused on those top priorities that we face as a community. It has not changed. Our priorities, in no particular order, the top three are still economic development, moving our community forward, having a strong economy -- and as a result, our economy is red-hot. We have one of the fastest-growing economies per capita of any municipality in the state of Florida.”
Dailey also pointed to expansion at the Tallahassee International Airport as a “game-changer” in economic development.
“Let us not forget that when we finish the international wing at the Tallahassee International Airport -- that is a game-changer, folks," he said. "And our airport, by the way, has over a $950 million economic impact on an annual basis, right here. But with the expansion of international opportunities, both flights and shipping, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
