Ashley Hunter
news@greenepublishing.com
On Tuesday, April 21, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the creation of the Reopen Task Force Industry Working Group.
The purpose of the group – as the name suggests – is to examine Florida's tourism, construction, real estate, recreation, retail and transportation industries and find a solution for reopening Florida's economy.
One of the task force members is Jefferson County's Halsey Beshears, a former Representative to the Florida House of Madison County and the current secretary for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
According to Secretary Beshears, the task force is currently working on reaching out to industry leaders for input on Florida's professional reopening.
"Right now, we are working with leaders across all sectors to hear ideas on how best to open the economy back to its normal operating capacity," said Beshears, adding that the ideas are reflecting the importance of preserving Florida's workforce and economy while also keeping in mind the importance of Floridian health and safety during COVID-19.
The task force's first meeting, Beshears says, was on Tuesday, April 21, with the second meeting taking place on Wednesday, April 22. Beshears adds that the task force has been meeting for several hours via teleconference.
In addition to Beshears, the task force includes Dana Young (CEO and president of VISIT FLORIDA), Kevin Thibault (secretary to the Florida Department of Transportation), Josh D'Amaro (president of Walt Disney World Resort), John Sprouls (CEO of Universal Orlando Resort and executive vice president of Universal Parks and Resorts), Bob Flowers (president of C.W. Roberts Contracting, Inc.) and other hotel and lodging, restaurant, real estate, construction, electric and tourism businesses and associations as well as several mayors from South Florida.
According to Beshears, the fact that the majority of the members on the task force, and the task force's executive committee, are members of Florida's professional industries was an intentional choice.
The reason, Beshears says, was that "industry leaders know best" about their prospective industry and economic climate.
Task force gave Gov. Ron DeSantis their recommendations for reopening Florida at the end of last week.
Currently, the task force is collecting citizen comments and suggestions on reopening procedures; to offer your comments or concerns, visit flgov.com/COVID-19.