Gadsden County creates new economic development division, former OEV manager leading it
Gadsden County creates economic development division, hires T.J. Lewis Tallahassee Democrat
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Gadsden County’s New Economic Development Director
T.J. Lewis, a former founder of a development blog and a prominent figure in Tallahassee’s economic development scene, has been appointed as the economic development director for Gadsden County. His role is to help the county achieve its economic and job-creation goals, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lewis, who previously served as the economic development business manager for the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV), aims to replicate OEV’s successful model in the rural county. With a strong focus on the SDGs, Lewis plans to leverage his experience and expertise to make a significant impact in one of the state’s poorest counties.
During a broadband conference and other events related to small business and economic development, Lewis connected with a Gadsden County staff member. Initially hesitant due to ongoing projects and professional development training, Lewis eventually saw the opportunity to contribute to Gadsden County’s future.
“Gadsden County overcame all of my objections for not wanting to leave Tallahassee. As an extension of Tallahassee in my mind, Gadsden County has immense potential and abundant resources. I see an opportunity to bridge the gap between the two communities and create a seamless flow,” said Lewis, who will earn a salary of $95,000.
Before joining Gadsden County, Lewis worked at OEV for three years and served as a comprehensive planner for the city of Tallahassee for one year. He also founded Urban Tallahassee, a web-based blog focusing on development and restaurant news, which he later sold to NAI TALCOR. Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in real estate from Florida State University and two master’s degrees in public administration and planning from the same institution. Additionally, he serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserves as an aircraft maintainer and control systems.
Gadsden County’s Economic Challenges
Gadsden County currently faces significant economic challenges, as indicated by the Community Scorecard created by the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Several economic indicators are in the “red,” indicating a lack of improvement.
- 1 in 4 residents live in poverty (42.5% of children live in poverty)
- The county’s job growth rate is 2.1%
- The high-school graduation rate is dropping, currently at 75.9%
However, there are also positive signs of progress, represented by the “green” areas on the scorecard:
- 31% of third-graders in the county read at grade level
- More than 840 open jobs
- An increase in housing permits
To address these challenges and leverage the county’s strengths, Gadsden County Administrator Edward Dixon stated that the short-term goal of the new economic development division is to establish a clear narrative for Gadsden County.
“We want to define what Gadsden County is in terms of life, lifestyle, growth plans, and how we want to be perceived by the world,” said Dixon. In the past, the county relied on third-party consultants for economic development, but the results were often slower than desired. The new division, led by Lewis, aims to consolidate and streamline economic development efforts to attract investments and promote growth in Gadsden County.
Contact TaMaryn Waters at tlwaters@tallahassee.com and follow @TaMarynWaters on Twitter.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
- Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets.
- Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
- Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
- Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita.
- Indicator 9.3.1: Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added.
- Indicator 10.1.1: Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40% of the population and the total population.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. | Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7% gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries. | Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita. |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises, in particular in developing countries, to financial services, including affordable credit, and their integration into value chains and markets. | Indicator 9.3.1: Proportion of small-scale industries in total industry value added. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40% of the population at a rate higher than the national average. | Indicator 10.1.1: Growth rates of household expenditure or income per capita among the bottom 40% of the population and the total population. |
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Source: tallahassee.com
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