HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-186CBOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Peter D. O'Bryan
District 4
Chairman
Bob Solari
District 5
Vice -Chairman
October 5, 2018
The Honorable Rick Scott
Office of the Governor
400 S. Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Susan Adams
District 1
Tim Zorc
District 3
Joseph E. Flescher
District 2
Re: Letter of Support, United Against Poverty Florida Job Growth Grant
Dear Governor Scott:
On behalf of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners ("County"), I am sending this
letter in support of United Against Poverty's ("UP") Florida Job Growth Grant Fund application that
was submitted to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity ("DEO").
According to DEO, the County is one of twelve counties in the State of Florida that has not seen a
significant decline in its unemployment rate. While there are many contributing factors to the
County's employment rate, UP is an organization that is definitely part of the solution. It has
developed a unique program to assist unemployed and underemployed individuals with overcoming
barriers to attain gainful employment. Specifically, UP serves those in poverty by providing crisis
cases management, education, food, employment training and placement and personal empowerment
training. UP estimates that its New UP Center project, which is the subject matter for its grant
application, will allow it to triple the number of graduates from its workforce development program
annually. This will not only decrease Indian River County's unemployment rate, but it will provide
families with an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and create a better life and future.
The County believes the New UP Center project is a great candidate for the Florida Job Growth Grant
Fund because it provides an opportunity for the State of Florida to partner with the private sector to
invest in a program to decrease the unemployment rate in Indian River County and the State as a
whole.
Sincerely,
Peter O'Bryan
Chairman, Indian River County Board of County Commissioners
1801 2%h Street, Building A
Vero Beach, FL 32960
(772) 226-1490