The
theme for the 1996-1997 Charlotte County Chamber year was “Our
Children, Our Community’s Future”. Recognizing the
importance of the business community’s future, education
is at the top of the list. Enterprise Charlotte’s Education
Task Force continues to review ways to improve the partnership
that must exist between business and education, recognizing that
we are dependent on each other.
One
major area of need identified by the Task Force is the shortage
of health care professionals. With the support of practicing health
care professionals in our community, our School Board redirected
funds for the construction of a three story complex at the Technical
Center. That construction project is already underway, with an
anticipated completion sometime next year that will produce a
variety of health care professionals for our community.
Additionally,
a pre-engineering program is being developed. Also a partnership
with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Edison College to
develop a program in aviation technologies that will include airplane
mechanics, meteorology and air traffic control and airline safety
is being explored. Great strides are being made in all areas of
the educational arena for the Charlotte County students, connecting
career awareness and academic preparation.
This
past Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with four Florida Gulf
Coast University graduate students, all Charlotte County residents:
Jessica Warne, a 1995 Charlotte High School graduate, David Malaney,
who moved to Charlotte County from Brandon, Kristie Wells, a 1999
Port Charlotte High School graduate, who attended Edison College
and Jennifer Avram, who moved to Charlotte County in 2003. All
want to be Certified Public Accountants! I wish I could have put
them all in a “bottle” to take around the community
to showcase this amazing group of young people! Ten years of saying
our children are our community’s future…and there
they are!
The
meeting was not a chance occurrence, but was a part of a class
project they have undertaken to review “best practices”
of the Economic Development Office. I welcomed them and look forward
to their report to see how we can do what we do better –
to assist our business community. (You would have been as proud
as I was – these are “our children – our community’s
future”!)
Betty
Williams is Economic Development Manager for Charlotte County's
Economic Development Office. E-mail: PureEconomics@charlottecountyfl.com
