Send Collier the growth plan

Memo to Florida Gov. Rick Scott: Send Fred Coyle a copy of your job-growth plan.

As Collier County embarks on a new five-year economic development plan, commissioner Fred Coyle wonders how it might fit with the governor's strategy.

“Does anyone have the governor's plan?” Fred Coyle asked aloud at a March 11 economic-development workshop with the Economic Development Council of Collier County.

A long silence followed.

For those of us in Collier County who haven't been paying attention, Scott's plan is simply this: Reduce the size of government, lower taxes and make it easy for entrepreneurs to do business by eliminating costly regulations.

We know that's a novel concept for Collier County, but we suggest Coyle and other commissioners follow the governor's lead by setting a more pro-business tone.

And here's a good place to start: Eliminate the “impact fees” on new construction in Collier, still among the highest such taxes in the state.