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The purpose of this report is to provide the County Commission the findings ,of this Ad -Hoc Task
<br />Force named the °Workforce Enhancement Task Force.- The group began meeting in August
<br />1999 and addressed the Gifford community. They discussed items such as how to develop jobs
<br />and careers, promoting mainstream employment opportunities, transportation, lighting and other
<br />topics which must be included when looking at how the people, young and old alike, in this
<br />community view themselves, their opportunities to get a job and a better job, how they live, and
<br />how they communicate their needs and concerns within and outside the community.
<br />REPRESENTATION
<br />Task Force volunteer participants included:
<br />Freddie Woolfork, Director, Gifford Youth Activities Center
<br />Olin Bagley, Supervisor, Workforce and Employment Opportunities, Vero Beach Office
<br />Edmund Cannon, Citizen
<br />AJ. Harris, President, Gifford Civic Progressive League
<br />Victor Hart, President, NAACP
<br />John Kraczkowski, Business Services Coordinator, WorkforceDevelopment Board of the
<br />Treasure Coast
<br />William Mosley, Executive Director, Gifford Economic Development Council
<br />Katie Nall, Executive Director, Indian River County Healthy Start
<br />Julius Reason, Citizen, Entrepreneur
<br />Jacquelyn Reason, Entrepreneur and Private Business Owner
<br />Dr. David Sullivan, Provost, Indian River Community College
<br />Penny Chandler, Executive Director, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce �omme��e
<br />Mit Thomas, Economic Development Director, (former) Indian River County Chamber of
<br />Commerce
<br />George Haygood, Economic Development Director, Indian River County Chamber of Comme FLORIDA �
<br />David Pearson, Habitat For Hum4nity Iry
<br />1999
<br />1216 21st Street • P.O.ECIC Box0NO29477 MVe o Beach, FL 329611- T D I V I S I O N
<br />httP*//www.vero-beach.ft.us/chamber • e-mail: hamber@vem-beach.ft �Tel 561.567.3491 - u sfi1'778'3181
<br />SUMMARY
<br />The "Workforce Enhancement Task Force" has successfully brought together the agencies who
<br />contribute to economic and workforce development in the Gifford community. This group of
<br />professionals have examined basic economic development, workforce development and workforce
<br />enhancement initiatives currently provided in the community and have identified there is little or
<br />no duplication of services or effort within the community. On the contrary, the group found there
<br />to be an informal awareness and collaboration among groups, and public and private agencies
<br />who work within Gifford.
<br />The Task Force hereby makes the recommendations contained in this report to the members of
<br />the County Commission for their action. By addressing the issues presented in this report, the
<br />Board of County Commissioners will send a positive message of commitment to those who are
<br />unemployed or underemployed and to the young people who are looking to build a future in
<br />Indian River County. Helping all of our citizens will enable them to share in the quality of life for
<br />which Indian River County is known.
<br />It is recommended that the County continue the efforts of this Task Force so that these identified
<br />initiatives can be successfully achieved. In order to accomplish the tasks at hand and ,the
<br />recommendations presented here, the Task Force identified as the number one priority to
<br />encourage the County Commission to establish and fund an office within county government
<br />that will be empowered by the County Commission to work with any and all public offices,
<br />agencies, educational institutions, government officials or representatives and all private groups,
<br />AUGUST 8, 2000
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