Weatherman Issues Statement On EDC’s Role With BlueWare

By  //  August 21, 2013

BlueWare project competitive

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Yesterday, Brevard County Clerk of Courts Scott Ellis spoke with Space Coast Daily regarding the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast being ordered by the Brevard County Commission to surrender BlueWare documents to Ellis’ office.

Following is a statement from Lynda Weatherman, president and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, on the EDC’s role with BlueWare:

Lynda Weatherman
Lynda Weatherman

The EDC’s role in the BlueWare project centered on best-practices economic development activities. This was a competitive project — Michigan was willing to offer up to $3 million in incentives to keep the company – and it took more than a year of work, including highlighting our skilled workforce and strategic East Coast location.

Once the project was secured, our interaction with the company concluded. Like the rest of the community, we were saddened to see the alleged inappropriate procedures that transpired by those who will now face justice. On the other hand, the part of this process that performed exactly as it should involved the benchmarks and protocols associated with incentives.

Once the project was secured, our interaction with the company concluded. Like the rest of the community, we were saddened to see the alleged inappropriate procedures that transpired by those who will now face justice. On the other hand, the part of this process that performed exactly as it should involved the benchmarks and protocols associated with incentives.

Though state and local incentives were approved for BlueWare, because the company failed to achieve the performance-based requirements that accompanied these and all incentives, it did not receive a single dollar of incentive funding from the local community.

EDC client files are subject to Florida statute 288.075, which provides for confidentiality. However, given the unusual circumstances surrounding BlueWare and recent actions by FDLE, a unique precedent may exist that will enable the release of files associated with this project. In an effort to clarify any legal considerations in a timely manner, the EDC has requested a Board of County Commission/EDC joint letter be sent to the State Attorney’s office requesting legal clarity.”