09/04/2026
Attention Nature Coast Communities: Dredging Meeting You Can't Miss
What: A Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) meeting hosted by Florida Commerce, focused entirely on dredging — the issue affecting Gulf access for boaters, commercial fishermen, and emergency responders up and down our coast.
When: Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Where: Big Bend Technical College (BBTC), 3233 S. Byron Butler Pkwy, Perry, FL 32348
Who: John Locklear, President of Locklear & Associates, will present alongside his team on the technical and permitting side of local dredging projects. Most importantly, a representative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be in attendance — a rare opportunity, since the Corps controls the federal permitting and cost-share process that ultimately determines whether our channels and canals get dredged at all. Having them in the room, in person, is a real chance to move these projects forward.
Why it matters: Sediment buildup and storm debris have left boat channels and canals across our region unsafe or unusable for years, hurting commercial fishing, tourism, and emergency access. This meeting was specifically requested to put dredging front and center — we need a strong turnout to show state and federal officials how urgent this is for our communities.
Who should attend: This means YOU if you're a local elected official, economic development professional, marina or harbor stakeholder, commercial fisherman, or community leader in Horseshoe Beach, Keaton Beach, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee, Dekle Beach, or anywhere else along our coast that depends on safe water access. If you don't have a direct contact in one of these communities, please share this post or forward it directly — we want every affected area represented.
Spread the word. Let's show up in force for our waterways.
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