MOORE HAVEN, FL. -- Glades County officials held a ground-breaking ceremony for the soon-to-be construction site of the Glades County career training facility and the construction site of Glades County Emergency Operations Center. Both are located in the County’s Industrial Park located on the northwest corner of the intersection of US 27 and SR 78.
Glades County Commission Chairman Donna Storter Long welcomed all and introduced special guests. State elected officials and Agency Directors were recognized for their efforts in obtaining funding from the legislature, and Chairman Storter Long especially thanked her fellow Commissioners Paul Beck and Tim Stanley and County Manager Paul Carlisle for their willingness to go to Tallahassee and their effective efforts.
Special guest Jesse Panuccio, Gov. Scott’s Director of Economic Opportunity, briefly addressed the crowd on his agency’s participation, eagerness, and willingness to help with the projects including development of the training center.
Senator Denise Grimsley who formerly represented Glades County in the House of Representatives, commented on her determination to help Glades County from the first visit she made here eight years ago when Health Dept. Director Pat Dobbins led her on a tour of the then decrepit facility that housed the Health Dept; Senator Grimsley expressed her delight in helping get the new medical center just east of this construction site that was funded by state grants; she assured the guests that she will continue to serve Glades County even though we are not in her senate district.
Senator Bill Galvano addressed the crowd noting his pleasure serving Glades County as our state senator and urged us to continue contacting him when we need help.
Representative Cary Pigman spoke of his gladness in assisting the process of procuring funding for both these projects and noted that Glades County is well represented in Tallahassee.
Gina Reynolds, Executive Director of FHREDI, gave comments from Senator Negron, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Senator Grimsley, Senator Galvano, Representative Pigman, and Senator Negron were the key players in obtaining the funding thru the legislature. Also instrumental in working with CAS Governmental Services in Tallahassee were Gina Reynolds, and Commissioners Paul Beck and Tim Stanley and County Manager Paul Carlisle.
Also recognized were other elected Glades officials in attendance including Tax Collector Gail Jones, Moore Haven City Councilman John Ahern, Glades District School Superintendent Scott Bass, and members of the Glades County Economic Development Council.
Glades County Public Safety Director Bob Jones and Emergency Management Director Angie Colegrove were so pleased to participate in the event as they have worked for 18 years planning for this day when a new, modern, even futuristic Emergency Operations Center will commence construction. The current EOC is a small office in the courthouse. The new facility will provide room for training, electronic communications, storage for supplies needed during emergency events, as well as provide bays for fire trucks and ambulances with area for the EMS station staff. According to Bob Jones, “This facility will serve the needs of Glades County for the next 50-60 years.”
Tommy Perry, President of Glades County Economic Development Council was pleased to attend as EDC has been involved with the training center as part of their efforts to promote development of the logistics and manufacturing site near the training center. Mr. Perry commented, “The EDC is excited to see the training center break ground as it will provide training for companies seeking a highly educated workforce as well as providing specialized training for logistics and manufacturing employees. This facility will enhance EDC’S ability to compete and lure logistics and manufacturing companies to Glades County.”
Other guests included Fred Edman of Wright Construction who is the contractor for the EOC building, Gary Ritter of South Florida Water Management District who provided 90% of the material for the site work for the EOC and Hendry County Commissioner Janet Taylor.
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, the crowd moved to Moore Haven’s Chalo Nitka fairgrounds for a delicious BBQ luncheon prepared by County Manager Paul Carlisle provided by Dale Milita of CAS Governmental Services and Jeff Sabin of Waste Management and served by County staff Terri Anascavage, Bob Jones, Angie Colegrove, Inga Williams, Mike Ashworth, and also helping were Doug Manke and Addison Anascavage. Photos provided by Matt Howard of Johnson Engineering.
Shovels were wielded by Jesse Panuccio, Director of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Commissioner Tim Stanley,Commissioner Russell Echols, Rep. Cary Pigman, Commissioner Paul Beck, Sen. Denise Grimsley, Sen. Bill Galvano, Commissioner Donna Storter Long, FHREDI Exec Dir. Gina Reynolds, Commissioner Crystal Drake, County Manager Paul Carlisle
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