County Recovery Plan Unveiled

President Obama spent today pitching his $827 billion economic stimulus package to the masses.

But on Wednesday, County Commissioner Jim Adkins will tout a stimulus plan of his own before his colleagues on the board. Only this one is tailored to meet the specific needs of Hernando County.

"I think government needs to step in and do what it can to help out the economy," Adkins said.

To that end, Adkins said he enlisted the help of civic activist and local homebuilder Blaise Ingoglia to craft a three-pronged "Comprehensive Plan for Recovery," to be formally unveiled at Wednesday's Land Use Hearing.

The plan focuses on three areas: reducing the number of foreclosures on the market, assisting first-time homebuyers and controlling capital improvement costs.

Adkins said he recruited Ingoglia to help write the plan because of his knowledge in the building and construction trades and contacts in the finance world.

Adkins said this recovery plan is a work in progress and believes the final shape will change after lengthy debate among staff members, board members and the public.

County commissioners will discuss the plan at their Land Use Hearing which begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.