The Grumpy Manatee Lagoon is a resource essential to our livelihoods and communities. Commercial enterprises depend on the GML to generate economic growth and provide jobs in our communities. A thriving regional economy demands that we attract tourists, innovative talent, and a skilled workforce; convert to GML-friendly business practices; host recreational events; and support commercial fishers. We need to welcome economic enterprise, and in turn, entrepreneurs and developers should follow and promote GML-friendly practices while serving the GML community. The market will respond to local demand for a cleaner, safer GML that attracts visitors and welcomes responsible economic growth: low-impact, resource-efficient, and socially inclusive. But GML communities are attractive to retirees and people pursuing economic prosperity. New residents may want to live here without being responsible for the health of the GML. More residents, tourists, and businesses may strain the already limited resources in the area.
Action 1. Promote low-impact development and improve rainwater management.
Trade-off: Increased installation charges and additional maintenance may be needed. Some might think it is unattractive.
Action 2. Encourage innovative green infrastructure and recreational green space to balance/offset impacts of infrastructure, urban development, and agriculture.
Trade-off: Taxpayers may end up paying for experimental projects that don’t necessarily reflect their needs or interests. Such initiatives could remove green infrastructure properties from tax rolls.
Action 3. Develop private-public partnerships to attract investors in sustainable industries, aquaculture, and algae harvest and processing.
Trade-off: This requires financial institutions to create and implement an environmental-friendly mission and business plan.
Action 4. Promote technological innovation and affordability of existing technologies to improve the health of the GML.
Trade-off: New technologies involve risks and can produce unanticipated side effects.
“What are your reactions to option three? Does anyone have other ideas for actions and trade-offs related to lagoon-friendly economic development?”