Manatee County’s COVID-19 recovery plan could include new infrastructure projects
The COVID-19 pandemic could turn into an opportunity to put money back in the hands of the county’s labor force while improving Manatee County’s aging infrastructure.
During Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Carol Whitmore urged county staff to start a plan similar to the local government’s response to the Great Recession in 2009. The Jobs Now! program sought to diversify Manatee’s economy. More than 10 years later, Whitmore said, Manatee can use that same framework to bounce back from the novel coronavirus.
“We just want to be able to take care of our Manatee County residents,” Whitmore said. “Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’d like staff to look at a similar response.”
Efforts to help local businesses recover is already fresh on the mind of several Manatee County officials. Deputy County Administrator Karen Stewart played a part in the Jobs Nows! program, as well, and said she’s still working on new policies that could benefit business owners and employees.
“We really are in unprecedented times. We have heard from the business community and there are likely going to be many more challenges than in 2009,” Stewart said. “Now is the time to really expand our imagination for the future.”
Part of Stewart’s plan is to tweak the county’s procurement expenditures to prioritize local vendors. According to County Attorney Mitchell Palmer, local preference is allowed, as long as the county makes that clear when putting projects out to bid.
That could help local builders and construction workers contribute to several infrastructure projects throughout the county, such as improving roads, building new county facilities and replacing old pipes.
“Now you’re going to get your best pricing from your contractors, and we’re fortunate that as a county, we’re in a good position to resolve some of these traffic and infrastructure issues to get our general contractors going again,” said Commissioner Stephen Jonsson.
“What drives Manatee County is tourism and construction. Those are the two big things we do, irrespective of how people complain that there’s too much growth,” he added. “Bottom line is that’s our economy.”
Commissioner Priscilla Whisenant Trace supported the idea, as well, and noted that the labor force might be available, but supply chain issues could still cause delays. The board did not discuss specific capital improvement projects.
Geri Lopez, the county’s director of redevelopment and economic opportunity, said her team is also looking at an “economic recovery framework” plan that is broken up into several phases, which include business outreach, feedback, identifying available resources and connecting employers with them.
“Most unemployment is in our restaurants, so it is imperative that we help these businesses get reopened and make sure they have every asset that can help them succeed,” said Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
That process is already underway, said Lopez, who explained that her department will have more information for commissioners at their May 19 meeting.
