SOS Pensacola

SOS Pensacola Support our Seaport   http://sospensacola.com/

Port of Pensacola Maximizes International Trade Routes

Vessels at the Port of Pensacola come from and embark to places all around the globe such as:

■Singapore;

■England;

■West Africa;

■Brazil;

■China;

■the Bahamas;

■Russia;

■and the Panama Canal.

Florida, being at the intersection of the growing east-west and north-south trade lanes, has established a dominant position for the north-south trade. Well established trade lanes accounting for more than 25% of value of all U.S trade with the Caribbean and more than 35% with Central and South America are a critical foundation for Florida trade.

Please check out the link and learn more about the Value of our Seaport:  PORT OF PENSACOLA
 
http://sospensacola.com/
 
 

2011 Florida Trade Summary

Some interesting statistics from the Florida World Trade 2012 Event

*** 4th Largest US Export State


*** International Trade Grew 17% in 2011

*** $9.4 Billion in New Export Sales

*** 42,00 Exporters -- Second in US

By the numbers:

http://www.floridaworldtrademonth.com/?q=Trade%20Summary



More information on the Florida Chambers International Days 2012

http://www.flchamber.com/event/2012-international-days/

Concerned Citizen

The following statistics were shared by a concerned citizen and measures our standing as of the 2010 census.  Pensacola has made a great deal of progress over the past year and it would be nice to have a measurement of OUR progress. 

Escambia County’s poor economy

Our community has an abundance assets and advantages. Nevertheless, Escambia County’s economy continues to lag other parts of Florida. It ranks near the bottom among the 25 largest Florida counties. This conclusion is based on data in the 2011 Florida Statistical Abstract. The latest Abstract includes data from the 2010 Census.
The 25 largest counties have 80 percent of the state’s population. Most of the other 42 are small rural counties. Among the most populous, Escambia ranks from best (#1) to worst (#25) as follows:
• #18 Per capita income
• #21 Poor people (% of population)
• #23 Poverty among young people (% of people under the age of 18)
• #20 Unwed mothers (% of births)
• #23 Medicaid recipients (% of population)
• #24 Population growth from 2000 to 2010 (%)

Population data show that:
• Escambia County’s population is stable. Growth in the 10 year period from 2000 to 2010 was a meager 1.1 %. The state as a whole grew by 17.6 %.
• The City of Pensacola’s population actually declined by 7.9%. It dropped from 56,255 in 2000 to 51,923 in 2010. This was the worst growth rate among the 86 Florida cities that have a population greater than 25,000.
• Pensacola Metropolitan Area (MSA) ranked 19 among the 20 Florida MSAs in population growth. Only one other MSA had a growth rate lower than Pensacola. Our MSA includes Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Fast growth in Santa Rosa (28.7%) did not offset the miniscule growth in Escambia.
     We obviously have serious problems. Clearly, we are not keeping up with other large Florida counties. Also, Pensacola is not keeping pace with other cities. Santa Rosa citizens should also be concerned. Santa Rosa and Escambia are part of the same local economy.


The Florida Scorecard link is attached as well.   Pensacola has a great opportunity to measure our successes on a daily basis with the support of the Florida Chamber Foundation.  The scorecard also links us to other cities around Florida.

http://www.thefloridascorecard.com/ 

ENJOY!!




Source: Florida Statistical Abstract 2011, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Florida.

Main Library to Close Temporarily

     West Florida Public Library’s Main Library, located at 200 West Gregory Street in downtown Pensacola, will close temporarily in connection with the ongoing construction of a new library building on the site. The closure will begin Sunday, March 18 and last approximately two weeks. West Florida Public Library’s five other branches will remain open during the closure; for a list of locations and operating hours, visit www.cityofpensacola.com/library.
     During the closure, library staff will move books, computers, and other items from the existing building to the new addition, which is expected to be completed this week. After the main branch reopens in the new addition, a complete renovation of the existing library building will begin.
     “With completion of the new addition, we’ve reached a major milestone in this project,” said Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward. “By reusing the existing building, we’re getting the most out of every dollar, and with the new building’s energy efficiency upgrades, we’ll save on energy costs while greening our City.”
     When construction is completed this fall, a 40,000 square foot Main Library will anchor the West Florida Public Library system. The new building will become the first City facility to gain LEED certification.
“The new facility will provide a quantum leap in library service to Pensacola area residents,” said Library Director Gene Fischer. “The new building is a positive indication of how Pensacola is progressing.”
     The finished building will feature an expanded children's area, new books section, 50 computers for public use, a bookstore, two community meeting rooms, a coffee shop, and an atrium.
     The project is funded through $6 million in local sales tax, a $606,500 U.S. Department of Energy grant, and $1 million left over from WFPL's Tryon Branch on Langley Avenue, construction of which came in under budget. Friends of the Pensacola Library have also contributed $100,000.