Office of Economic Growth

The Economic Growth Program is based upon the goals and strategies outlined in the adopted Economic Development Plan (EDP) and the Board of County Commissioners adopted Strategic Plan.   In order to accomplish our mission, the Office of Economic Growth delivers its services on four primary activities as part of the Economic Growth Program:

1. Administration of the Economic Growth Program and the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund – The Office of Economic Growth administrative duties include collaboration with various boards and stakeholder groups, negotiation and contract development for public/private partnership opportunities, preparation of budgets, creation of agenda items, Requests For Proposals/Requests For Quotes/Request For Information, Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee oversight, Pasco Accelerated Development Sites, Pasco Occupant Ready Structures, agreement/grants administration, payment processing, and the creation of quarterly and annual reports. The Department is also responsible for agreement management for a multitude of incentive and development agreements as well as project management for the Penny For Pasco -Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund.
2. Target Industry Attraction and Retention – The goal of the Target Industry Program is to strengthen Pasco and become one of the most competitive business environments in the Southeast United States. Pasco will relentlessly pursue new partnerships and alliances to create a robust, connected entrepreneurial culture through the attraction and expansion of targeted businesses and will provide high-quality jobs for our residents. This is accomplished through collaboration with the Pasco Economic Development Council and its committees, community involvement, public relations, regulatory assistance, grants administration, redevelopment initiatives, and cross-departmental process improvements. Administration and reporting of the Job Creation Incentive Ordinance, all economic development agreements, requests for proposals, and contract development (creation) and negotiations are part of this program.
3. Redevelopment and Reinvestment Program – The Office of Economic Growth will help catalyze redevelopment through incentives, financing, and regulatory programs. The Office of Economic Growth duties include the management of Pasco’s adopted Brownfield Redevelopment Program, redevelopment/revitalization projects and programs (revolving loan programs), low impact development initiatives, and business improvement programs to address the complex challenges posed by redevelopment in the urbanized and blighted areas of the county. The incentives and financing programs will be offered to developers and businesses to address revenue gaps in development projects, defined as having insufficient revenues to support the project debt service under a standard financing scenario or can also apply to projects that have a below market development margin.
4. Information, Advocacy  and Referral – The Office of Economic Growth duties include providing information to new and expanding businesses within the County, referrals to outside agencies and service providers, and acting as an Ombudsman with economic development projects for challenges experienced with internal processes.