Feds target rural development

IMMOKALEE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to send staff to help organizations create jobs in eastern Collier County.

The federal government's staff plans to help organizations and businesses in the so-called “Promise Zone” that includes Immokalee by offering technical assistance and preferential access to federal programs. Creating jobs at Airglades Industrial Park and boosting ecological tourism are among the goals of the program.

“Becoming a Promise Zone is another step in the right direction for the Immokalee community,” says Collier County Commissioner Tim Nance, in a statement. “This gives us another partner and another set of resources to help spur economic development. We are grateful to the USDA for recognizing the potential Immokalee has to grow and thrive and we look forward to working with our federal partners on this endeavor.”