of course. unkh.

that was grunt by the way, possibly Cherokee in origin.

When we first came to the area to visit friends who had moved to TV, we came through Wildwood and there were small shops and craft stores. Being a tole painter at the time, I was truly interested to see this small little Florida town having something inviting since at the time we didn't realize TV would have all that it has now. The town leaders just have to have some input of ideas and clean up some of the rough places. I don't understand either why there is no train stop in Wildwood. If I remember, the Amtrak stops in Gainesville and then someplace south and you have to ride a bus back to Wildwood in order to get off here. A car train would certainly bring some interest IMHO.

goes without saying that local collaboration is everything. that's why it was not mentioned as it does go without saying.
I love the train. agree. I go over and watch it.

why make a post about wildwood? it will develop bc of TV, inevitably.
I grew up rural florida, where nothing ever happened, but tv happened to wildwood.
the op,who is me, was fishing to see who cares in TV besides me and who might have energy to work to help the community.

sorry if this was misunderstood as an effort to command local direction. backlash is understandable, but misplaced.

I bet Wildwood is not so backward that they don't already have an economic development plan.........

Economic Development Plan
 

Like this 2010 plan for the county you mean? only one I can find...
It appears from the language and references to TV that Sumter's economic plan welcomes tourism and new business.
Wildwood is said to be "aggressively expanding."
"The Villages has become Sumter County’s
prime public relations and economic engine...
.. the positive economic impact of The Villages impacts every Sumter resident and enterprise"
http://www.sumterbusiness.com/.html/...lan_122711.pdf...

I've been everywhere on the city website. I don't see anything for economic development planning, but maybe I'm missing it.

They probably didn't ever ask our opinion of what they should do to bring a vibrant economic recovery from the continued decline. But it isn't a stretch to see the area could use a face lift which would benefit those who live in the community. Most people are enthusiastic about bettering their environment and reaping the benefit of a thriving town. It would be nice to try to help the local communities with the considerable talent that is living next door.

Interesting.... I hadn't seen this before:

From Sumter County Economic Plan 2010

Industrial Parks
Sumter County has a limited number of industrial
parks across the county. Future plans involve Wildwood housing a 4 million sq. ft. industrial warehouse park development of regional impact
(DRI). The industrial park would be at the Morse Boulevard interchange along the Florida Turnpike.

hm, not sure why the above post reposted itself..

to kittygilchrist
I don't believe wildwood really needs your help maybe you can find something in TV that you could devote your time to and maybe your helpers could assist you. Your post tend to struss that wildwood is in bad need of help from the villages do you know wildwood was here a long time before the build up of the villages. And there were many shops that have left when the villages began to expand.
Please don't push an agenda where it is not wanted the libaray was located in town across from the school where the kids could use it now look where it is not very accessible for the kids.
There also was a craftt store, clothing, store, serveral restaurants, a gas station in the middle of town,jewelry store, an iga, and others. So most of the blame goes to the mayor who thinks the villages
Will handle everything. And for the trains several years ago the rail system was changed freight on the west and passenger on the east that includes auto train. Help TV wildwood is OK.

Several posters have said that Wildwood is fine and doesn't want any collaboration from TV. I'm curious if anyone from Wildwood is posting that? My impression from websites for Sumter county is that the governance is entirely grateful for revenue from The Villages and hired a TV located company to assist in developing an economic plan.

The Sumter co. economic dev plan of 2010 calls TV the economic engine of the county and is replete with language inviting collaborative efforts to promote tourism, health care, education and entrepreneurism.

I intend to learn to my own satisfaction what Wildwood officials think of "help" from TV in economic development. Frankly, I'm not sure why anyone in TV without Wildwood connections would presume to speak for them.

The following is not exactly on-point but is offered for information purposes.

Brownwood/Paddock Square is located within Wildwood city limits. Consequently, Wildwood derives revenue through fees, permits, licenses, taxes related to that enterprise.

I haven't researched what Wildwood's actual city limits are. I am, however, assuming that the commercial construction project at 466a and Powell and the residential construction parallel with Powell Road and along the north side of 44 might also fall within Wildwood city limits. Again, more revenue generation.

The city could use that revenue for a variety of purposes, including community development and economic development initiatives and creative public-private partnerships. That type of activity could attract a variety of investors and developers.

Thank you..helpful and informative post, I had been trying to figure out "where's Wildwood".
This is where Wildwood is. I am not making this up...
http://www.wildwood-fl.gov/vertical/..._Map_11x17.pdf