Our Local Economy

With the national economy in financial crisis, the City of Apalachicola is struggling with its own economic troubles.

The economic strengths of the City are tourism, seafood, and construction, with tourism starting to play a major role among the three. However, tourism has its peaks and valleys and the industry is especially vulnerable during hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. Further, sporadic fuel prices are also having a depressing effect on the local tourism industry.

In 2003, the seafood industry employed roughly one in five jobs throughout the county, however today the industry is suffering from a reduction of fresh water flowing down the ACF River System, cheap imports, high fuel cost and over regulation.

Our once booming construction industry experienced a spiraling decline right after the devastating hurricanes of 2005 slammed into the Gulf of Mexico.

Further, according to the August 2008 unemployment figures, 4.6 percent, or 233 people were out of work in Franklin County. And just the other day I noticed that a restaurant I frequent has changed it hours of operation. The restaurant is now open only six-hours per day. In addition, a local convenient store is now closing early as opposed to staying open around the clock.

As a result, more and more residents and business owners are now turning their attention to our local economy.

In early July, local resident George Mahr requested that the City of Apalachicola update the Economic Development Element within our Comprehensive Plan. In fact, Mr. Mahr has agreed to pay for the update himself.

Others have joined in, such as local business owner Joe Taylor. Taylor asked the City Commission at our October meeting to schedule a community conversation under the umbrella of the City of Apalachicola’s Community Pride Partnership Program. The purpose of the conversation is too engage the community into a discussion concerning the economic health and sustainability of businesses located within the City of Apalachicola.

The City listened, and the conversation has been scheduled for 5:30 PM the afternoon of Thursday, October 16, at the Battery Park Community Center.

Invited to attend are members of the Chamber of Commerce, individual business owners, the City of Apalachicola’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Adjustment, Community Redevelopment Agency and anyone interested in the economic health of our community.