Edwards honored
County administrator receives EDC’s Champion award
David Edwards, center, with EDC Coordinator Beth Chicchetti, EDC members Kevin Vaughn, Amy Geiger, Rich Exline, John Shuff, Jessica Revell, Steve Cushman, coordinator Julie Dennis, and County Commissioner Quincee Messersmith.
By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor
Wakulla County Administrator David Edwards received this year’s Champion award from the county’s Economic Development Council at an event held at Wakulla Springs Lodge on Thursday, Aug. 16.
EDC members credited Edwards with his support for the economic growth of the county.
John Shuff, the first recipient of the EDC award three years ago, said of Edwards: “When I think of David and economic development, I think of two words: laser focus.”
At a past EDC luncheon at SunBlest nursery several months ago to promote Opportunity Park to Tallahassee real estate agents, Edwards was adamant that Wakulla County was eager for industrial growth and jobs and ready to work with companies that would locate here.
Accepting the award, Edwards commented that he is “blessed to be doing what I’m doing.” His past work in private enterprise doing development work was about taking, he said. “But I wanted to give back through government.”
He thanked his staff for their hard work. Those at the event included Planning Director Somer Pell, Intergovernmental Affairs Director Michelle Metcalf, planner Brandon Geiger, Public Information Office’s Kinsey Miller and Elizabeth Hughes, and the new golf superintendent Shane Bass.
Last year’s recepient of the award, Robert Parrish, who brought Publix to Crawfordville, said he is working to bring TMH Urgent Care to the parcel on Crawfordville Highway across from El Jalisco, plus some 60,000 square feet of medical office space behind Publix. He noted that a family medical practice based in Tallahassee planning to open in Tallahassee in the spring found that 25% of its patients and one-third of its staff lived in Wakulla.
“The homes are the driving force behind the growth in this county,” Parrish said, adding that companies look at head counts and roof tops when deciding where to locate.
