Live Oak — Kendrick Meek, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, held an economic roundtable with area businessmen recently in Live Oak.

Seated with a notepad, Meek listened to those who attended and discussed how he intends to help in the way of rural economic development.

"I want to make sure that I have a local perspective of Live Oak and Suwannee County. There's great potential for businesses and relocation here," he said.

Local farmer Dwight Stansel brought to the table the issue of renewable fuel standards and the cost of using alternative fuels.

"It's a very free market, but there's a limit on what you can spend and use. We cannot afford a lot of the fuel and oil that we now depend upon, and I hope those with the ability to make alternatives available will widen that market. It'll sure lift some of the financial burden that we face in our business," he said.

Meek said many of the untapped resources, which were not being accessed by the U.S., are becoming available under recent legislation and movement in Washington.

"Hopefully, when I get in the door, I'll continue to make sure that these resources are offered to and in the reach of North Florida businesses," he said. 

Douglas Udell, District 2 County Commissioner, said, "there is great potential for jobs in Suwannee County, but we must have the infrastructure in place and build the ball field for businesses and industry to come here."

Udell added, "We need help from state and federal government to build these types of  parks that businesses will flock to.

Meek said from what he had witnessed, "for a long time in North Florida prisons have been the one draw for other businesses to take route in these areas."

However, that is not his main focus.

Instead, he said, "I would much rather see these areas thriving in industry from local and outside influence, rather than adding just another facility to store criminals."

Local businessman Matt Scott said he pays 70 percent of his employees' health insurance "because I need them to be able to get well when they get sick, but also, I need them to be well enough to get back to work, and it's nearly killing me (financially)."

He worries that so many children grow up in Suwannee and leave because the jobs and resources just aren't in place for them to stay.

"Suwannee County is at a standstill. All we are is a suburb of Lake City, we should be at the same point as them by this point, at least. I would love for my daughter to be able to one day come back here to live when she gets older, but that's only if the jobs are here."

Meek responded, saying, "it is time for us to cross a threshold as a state. That's the reason I am here, is not just for private sector jobs, but also public sector. I have the same worries for my children--one who wants to be an artist and another who is thinking about law enforcement."

Meek continued, "When I represent you, I will make sure that people realize that you're not just a crowd, you're a community in the state of Florida."

Other discussion at Thursday's roundtable, aside from infrastructure and growth, included topics on education and the race ahead for Meek.

"Winning this race is going to be about perspective," he said. "In Tallahassee, what we are seeing is politics trampling public policy. Many are fighting from one of two extremes based on key issues. For me, however, it's about leading for the people. I will remember what was said here in Live Oak at this table, because I know that I-10 will be a major reason that I win."