Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission
The Pensacola-Escambia Development Commission (PEDC) is a nine-member, quasi-governmental board responsible for "the promotion and development of industrial, tourist, and commercial attributes and facilities of area including the promotion of conventions, convention facilities and visitors to area."[1]
Its membership is composed of two Pensacola City Council members; two Escambia County Commissioners; the president of the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; a member appointed by the chamber president who serves as chair of either the Committee of 100 or the Tourist Advisory Council; and two at-large members appointed (one each) by the city council and county commission. Except for members holding specific offices, board members serve for two-year terms.
The board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Chamber's headquarters at 117 West Garden Street.
Projects
The PEDC is expected to take control of a 9-acre tract of county- and city-owned land, located south of the Pensacola Civic Center and currently used only for overflow parking, to develop as a technology park to attract new businesses to the Pensacola area. The property will first receive about $4 million in infrastructure improvements.[2]
Funding
The commission receives funding from city and county governments, which annually contribute $150,000 each. That money is funneled to the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, of which $155,200 is allocated for economic development and the remainder for tourism and armed services retention.[3] The board is not required to disclose its finances.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information page at City of Pensacola website
- ↑ "High-tech park gets OK." Pensacola News Journal, March 1, 2008.
- ↑ "Chamber plans to reorganize." Pensacola News Journal, July 22, 2001.
