Commissioner Kionne McGhee Prioritizes Business

Can more than 17,000 people at Commissioner Kionne McGhee’s Jazz in the Heights at Metro Zoo be wrong? Nope.

About 17,000 people attended the event as part of a Mother’s Day celebration and because they love music. It was also a showcase for Commissioner McGhee, who talked about the need to support local small businesses.

In fact, Jazz in the Heights has provided 190 businesses to participate, including catering companies, nurseries, party rentals and more.

This support is  typical for McGhee, who started the Small Business Bootcamp Initiative in 2022 with partners who provided a four-week learning experience. The bootcamp has provided funds to 100 businesses, helped 300 businesses with technical assistance in the areas of planning, financial management and marketing, and provided grants to 30 businesses.

The scoop here is that McGhee is all about creating jobs in District 9, offering more opportunities for local residents to work and provide for their families. His efforts include working to get a new Costco into the district, which would generate high paying jobs for residents that are stable and in their backyard.

Commissioner McGhee also fought and won a big change for farmers in South Dade, making it possible for them to generate revenue from non-agriculture related activities like weddings and parties on their properties. This was a huge win that expanded the revenue model for farmers and created more jobs outside of traditional growing and picking. Farming is one of the most important contributors to our economy and Commissioner McGhee is thinking outside the box to keep them surviving and thriving.

Another project that could gain steam for the first time under Commissioner McGhee is the revitalization of Homestead Air Reserve Base, which could become a commercial aviation hub.

Why is it so hard? There is already a precedent for it all over the country. Currently, there are 10 airports where civilian aircraft and military jets share the same runways including Dover AFB in Delaware, Charleston AFB, and Eglin AFB just outside of Ft. Walton Beach in the Florida Panhandle. March ARB in Riverside, California and Westover ARB and Chicopee, Massachusetts are two examples of Air Reserve Bases that are currently shared with the public.

There are cargo and air freight operators that would love to have a field of operations in

South Miami-Dade County. Adding that as a component could create hundreds and maybe even thousands of good high-paying jobs. But McGhee can’t do it alone. We need federal level support at all levels big time.

Finally, I want to thank Commissioner McGhee for his focus on creating jobs. I hope he can continue to use his limitless energy to raise the heights for business in South Dade and continue to give residents hope for the future.