Two main obstacles to keeping a skilled workforce in the Keys are adequate affordable housing and vocational training. In February, the BOCC voted in favor of increasing both.
In a late, split 3-2 vote, the commissioners chose to begin the process of accepting 300 affordable housing allocations from the state. Staff was additionally advised to keep exploring the potential of converting existing market-rate allocations into affordable ones.
In terms of workforce education and training, the BOCC heard an update from Jonathan Gueverra, president of the College of the Florida Keys (CFK), before voting to allocate funds to the college.
Gueverra showcased the new architectural rendering of CFK Upper Keys Center. Proudly, he said, “We’ve talked about it for a long time. We’re working very diligently to make this a reality. We’ve been waiting for this project for 20 years, and the Upper Keys deserves this.”
The 3,800-square-foot building is being built in Key Largo to replace classroom space currently used at Coral Shores High School for CFK’s educational programs, Gueverra said. He added that the education of “our people betters them to have gainful income.”
Prefacing the agenda item the commissioners would soon vote on, the president added, “Half a million dollars over the next few years goes a long way to making this dream a reality.” The BOCC was deciding whether to approve an agreement with CFK for a $500,000 capital investment project for the CFK Upper Keys Center. Following discussion, the BOCC voted unanimously for the investment.
At the meeting, Dottie Moses of Key Largo noted her objection to the process but not the project. She asked why the money from the county wasn’t going to other priority items like the restoration of Rowell’s Marina.
County Administrator Roman Gastesi assured Moses and the public that county funds for CFK were being responsibly spent, with $250,000 being funded this fiscal year and the same amount in FY 2021. Gastesi noted money also had been allocated to other public projects, including Rowell’s, new libraries and road rehabilitation programs.
Mayor Heather Carruthers applauded the local education project.
“This is for people to learn here and stay here, so we don’t have to schlep in contractors from the mainland who don’t know how to build here,” she said. “We do it differently down here.”
Speaking directly to Gueverra, she added, “Clearly, it’s a great need in our county, and I want to thank you for your leadership.”
Sheriff Rick Ramsay also spoke in support of the new center as a benefit to the community. Ramsay emphasized his belief in the project, noting his department’s $100,000 donation to help make the center a reality. He said, “It will be better for people to stay local, educate local, and work local, who maybe couldn’t before. Maybe they can come back.”
Stephanie Scuderi, chairwoman of the college’s board, added, “This motion by the county to step up and put skin in the game provides further support to those who have come up to say this is important, so thank you very much.”
