Bucks,

Please send me an email and I'll send you a list of people who can help. But if the Glades Commissioners will not change their mind, its going to be a losing battle for anybody. As you can see from the news:

Power plant could enhance community; Project promises to change the face of Glades County

By Nena Bolan and Barbara Oehlbeck, Glades County Democrat
GLADES COUNTY — Sitting at his desk in a sunlit corner office of the Glades County Courthouse, Glades County Manager Wendell Taylor couldn’t stop smiling.

“This is a memorable day in Glades County,” he said.

The Glades County Board of County Commissioners had just concluded its regular meeting on Sept. 12. Those in attendance had heard the rumors but that was all.

Shock waves reverberated throughout the courthouse and beyond when Larry Hilton, Deputy County Manager for Community Development, made the announcement that FP&L wants to build a new power plant in Glades County on a 5,000 acre site about five miles northwest of Moore Haven.

This upbeat news has encouraged the hopes of residents and officials. The possibility of Glades County receiving an annual tax benefit, averaging $21 million, could enhance the livelihood of the entire rural community.

“This will enable Glades County to grow a lot more and a lot smarter. This will provide a catalyst for other industries, as well as more economic growth and diversity,” said Larry Hilton, deputy county manager for community development. “It is real, real, important that people understand that this project will give Glades County an opportunity they have not had in almost a hundred years.”

The dialogue between the FP&L and Glades County began in February 2006. Mr. Taylor recalled that FP&L first asked for a visit during which they suggested choosing a site for a plant. Mr. Taylor and the county commissioners provided a setting where both parties could freely discuss what their needs were.

In this way, Glades County officials were able to display their negotiation skills and land use expertise. FP&L proposed to build a plant that would employ an average of 1,600 construction jobs annually over a five-year construction period. This would be followed by 180 full-time jobs to operate the plant, and more than 150 indirect support jobs in the community.

The news has many in the community excited at the prospect of the future.

“Being a commissioner for 14 years, I can well remember budget meetings in July and August when we could hardly find enough money to support the county,” said Commissioner Bob Geisler. “Some years we had to cut back services and sometimes we had to let an employee go. We’d work four to five hours trying to find enough money to fund some worthwhile project, and sometimes it was not there to find.”

The commissioner said the new plant will impact the community in a big way.

“This FP&L project is not an overnight adventure.

,” he said. “It will take six years for the first phase to be built and online. In the meantime, housing, restaurants, hotels, and other services will be coming to Glades County. Are we ready? I think not. But we have capable people working for us in whom I have confidence.”

Elected officials also kept up with the news.

“This is great news for Glades County,” said Senator Dave Aronberg. “The FP&L plant will create high-paying jobs and diversify the local economy. Our region will benefit from the energy created by the plant, and Glades County will benefit by adding jobs and $21 million to the tax base. It’s a win-win all around.”

State Representative Denise Grimsley said, “I applaud Glades County Manager Wendell Taylor, Larry Hilton, Deputy County Manager for Community Development, and the Board of County Commissioners for bringing this project to fruition.”

Before the plant is constructed, however, there are several more steps for review and approval. FP&L’s proposal will be reviewed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District, and federal, state and local agencies. Local residents will be able to attend and speak at public meetings, hearings and workshops.

With $21 million in yearly tax benefits, multiple improvements can be created for local government services. County commissioner, Russell Echols, reflected on the impact this would have for a small county and said, “This will transform Glades County into a can-do county,” he said.

Suggestions for improvements include maintaining roads, enhancing schools, lowering taxes, building a pharmacy and medical buildings, securing better paying jobs; and giving the town of Moore Haven a boost because it is the county seat.

Still, there are those who are a little more hesitant about the proposal.

“I have great concerns about the environmental issues with this power plant,” said Fran Koebert of Muse. “I would like to see FP&L make a commitment to research and development for technology to incorporate into this new plant. There’s good and there’s bad; we have to weigh these factors.”

Others seemed to agree.

Dr. Harris Friedman, an officer with the group Save our Creeks, said, “I have some concerns about a coal burning plant and until I learn more about the type technology that’s being proposed in terms of environmental impact, my opinion is very guarded as to whether this is a good thing or not for the county.”

County commissioner, Alvin Ward, said, “It will go a long way for a small county.” He further mentioned that Glades would be able to have a choice on what industries enter the county and increased funding would, “Allow us to keep our rural landscape, and keep our way of life.”

Dealing with a large company like FP&L can create a positive outlook, because the United States economy runs on electricity, and there is a demand for new power plants, something most in Glades County are betting on.

Final approval will come from the governor and state cabinet.

In the meantime, residents’ eyes are focused on the future.

“This will be the greatest economic boost that Glades County has had since its birth in 1923,” said Glades County Commissioner Butch Jones.

Bob Jones, Glades County safety director, said it simplest: “I think it’s God-sent. He sent it to us.”