In August 2019, five visitors from Azerbaijan came to Pensacola through the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on a project titled Economic Revitalization through Public-Private Partnerships. Their objectives for the project included: introducing governmental and public support for economic growth, presenting models of public-private partnerships’ oversight and legislative framework, seeing how public-private partnerships can stimulate economic growth in rural communities, and examining initiatives that link rural producers to domestic and foreign markets.
The international visitors’ time began with a community coffee at Co:Lab. Office Manager Casey Campbell and Jim Sparks, program manager of entrepreneurship at the University of West Florida (UWF) joined the group along with Dr. Brian Elzweig of the UWF Department of Accounting and retirees Dr. Allan M. Ford and John Toole. The conversation centered on the group’s project themes. Attendees shared their perspectives from working in the region.
At Pensacola City Hall, the group focused with Council Member Sherri Myers and City Council Executive Don Kraher on the role of local government in promoting policies conducive to economic revitalization. The meeting ended with the presentation of certificates of honorary citizenship with the city, a gift from Mayor Grover C. Robinson.
They then met with Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Thomson who spoke on how his office attracts, promotes, and supports local member businesses by forming relationships with government officials and on how it advocates for pro-business legislation. Next, David Musselwhite and Robert Foster spoke about the 1 Million Cups Program, which promotes partnerships and support systems for entrepreneurs. At this discussion, they met business owners who have benefited from the program.
At Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. (CEII), the group discussed economic growth with Director of Lending Grover Brown and Business Lending Development Officer William Day. They then traveled to Metro Discount Airport Parking to speak with the owner, Asif Akbar, about his experiences with CEII. The exploration of economic growth continued at the Santa Rosa Economic Development Office (EDO) where Director Shannon Ogletree explained their role in supporting growth through initiatives such as the Alternative Agriculture Program and at the Escambia County Extension Office where Administrative Supervisor and Office Manager Susan Hendrix and Extension Agent Libbie Johnson focused on agriculture and aquaculture. The visitors explored their programs, met with a farmer to discuss challenges on the global market, and learned about the gator chomp.
The visitors also experienced the tradition of American volunteerism through a service activity at Serving the Hungry at First United Methodist Church. Volunteer Coordinator Katie Ramsey shared the details of the program and then invited the group to serve lunch alongside community members.
To complement their workweek agenda, the international visitors experienced southern hospitality at the homes of Terry and Jim Crowe and Suzanne and Randle Carpenter, providing a lovely time for them to learn more about the United States in a casual setting.
Many collaborators joined forces to make this project on economic revitalization professionally rewarding for all involved, and we thank each & every one of you.
