Dysfuntion in Flagler over a unified economic strategy

Flagler County Florida's will see its economic development program end officially this month, the victim of a breakdown in communication and cooperation between governmental and business interests.

Flagler County was the poster child for growth and prosperity in the middle part of the previous decade. New residents poured into the county from surrounding areas as well as New England, New York and the Midwest. Flagler County had almost full employment -- a 4.8 percent unemployment rate in July 2006.

But now, with county unemployment at 14.7 percent -- one of the state's highest rates -- the local newspaper ccalls for county and city officials from Palm Coast to Bunnell to get their act together, and fast on a new and unified push for economic development.

More here.