FRCA Forward – December 2016


Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Hosts Regional Economic
Development Summit

On October 28, 2016, the Council hosted a Regional Economic Development Summit for the Treasure Coast Region at the Indian River State College in Stuart. The Summit brought together more than 100 people representing the region’s business development organizations, leading industries, educational facilities, local governments, and the public to provide a synchronized focus on economic issues. Major highlights of the Summit was a keynote presentation on Economic Trends by Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and a panel discussion on the future of education by the three major university presidents in the region. Other highlights also included three panel discussions that addressed Industry Group Trends, Transportation Infrastructure Trends, and Educational and Workforce Development Trends.

The Summit also featured breakout groups in the afternoon with Council staff facilitating discussions of “Six-Pillar” topics, including: Talent Supply & Education; Innovation & Economic Development; Infrastructure & Growth Leadership; Business Climate & Competitiveness; Civic & Governance Systems; Quality of Life & Quality of Places; and Economic Resilience. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee of the Treasure Coast Economic Development District will use the results of the Summit as part of the process to update the CEDS plan, which serves as a guide for regional and local collaboration on economic development initiatives and planning. Links to videos of the keynote presentation and panel discussions, and results of the breakout group discussions are available on TCRPC’s website.  For more information please contact Peter G. Merritt, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, pmerritt@tcrpc.org.


Apalachee Regional Planning Council Develops Study on Chattahoochee to Bristol Trail

 

The Apalachee Regional Planning Council received a grant from the Department of Economic Opportunity to conduct a feasibility study for a hiking trail connecting the Town of Chattahoochee and to the City of Bristol along the Apalachicola River. The study will assist in determining the feasibility of the Chattahoochee-to-Bristol (C2B) Trail and linkage of this new trail as an alternative route for the existing Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST).  Enthusiasm for the C2B Trail has been a grassroots effort that came to life after the Competitive Florida program highlighted many natural assets in the area and identified the ability of trail development through extensive owned public lands. The C2B Trail could add an economic vigor to a rural and underserved area using the incredible terrain and endemic species found in the distinct Apalachicola River Bluffs and Ravines area.

As designed, the 20 mile C2B trail will follow the eastern bank of the Apalachicola River, running through private and public lands in Gadsden and Liberty counties. The trail will include two or three trail heads and follow the topography of bluffs and ravines along the Apalachicola River. Some of the larger landowners include The Nature Conservancy, the Northwest Florida Water Management District, City of Chattahoochee and Torreya State Park.

 


South Florida Regional Planning Council Spearheads a Regional DataCommon

 The TBRPC has adapted and updated the existing Statewide Regional Evacuation Study storm surge tool to become a multi-functioning indicator for surge processing. The latest addition to the tool has been the adaptation to the new SF1 SLOSH basin that covers the whole southern half of Florida as well as adding the Maximum Envelope of Water surge processing capabilities.  TBRPC will be seeking additional funding to enhance the storm surge tool so that it will include the Universal Height surge model along with any cosmetic updates and enhancements.  This tool will assist TBRPC as it maps potential storm surge which will enhance evacuation planning techniques.
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