news

Today Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) toured the Osceola Workforce Development Department and hosted a roundtable discussion with Workforce Development staff, job seekers and business leaders on how to get the local economy moving again. This week marks one year since the President signed into law the $786 Billion stimulus bill aimed at creating jobs and keeping unemployment below 8 percent, which now stands at 9.7 percent.

“Many families and small businesses are struggling to make ends meet and today’s discussion helps personalize the problems we are facing,” said Congressman Posey. “Central Florida is a prime location for economic development but we have yet to see a positive impact from the policies coming out of Washington. Congressional leaders and the Administration need to look at how we can make America more competitive, and what kind of economic environment is needed for all businesses to grow, prosper and start hiring folks.”

Osceola County’s Economic Development Department’s main mission is to create new, high-wage jobs. Osceola is a developer-friendly community that is open for business when it comes to expanding on the state’s knowledge-based, “innovation economy.” Osceola County has a growing, skilled bilingual labor pool, excellent access to the Southeast’s transportation networks, and vast untapped land resources that make this a place where success stories are the norm. The clean tech and life sciences clusters are just two areas where cutting-edge research and business development are taking place.

“It is fantastic that Congressman Posey will be able to take time out of his busy schedule today and sit down with leaders from the local business community to hear their concerns,” said Osceola County Commission Chairman Fred Hawkins Jr. “It is important for our leaders in Washington, D.C. to have their pulse on the communities they represent. What better way to come up with real life solutions than to hear from the folks who are working so hard to keep our economy running? Osceola’s needs are great, while our potential is unlimited. I’m sure that Congressman Posey will walk away with a better view of what companies in Osceola County are up against during these tough economic times.”

“WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA is pleased to provide a forum for Congressman Bill Posey to talk with both job seekers and employers from Osceola County,” said Gary Earl, WORKFORCE CENTRAL FLORIDA president and CEO.  “We hope this dialogue will generate new ideas that may be beneficial to Congressman Posey and the Osceola County economy.”

Posey added that businesses are less likely to take the risk of expanding their operations when the outlook is uncertain. “Perhaps the solution is for Congress to reduce the financial burden of paying for more government, then get out of the way and let the economy work.”