Fla. Lt. Gov. drops into downtown Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - Whether it’s the new businesses lining the streets or the recently opened Maritime Park, downtown Pensacola has seen an economic resurgence.

Florida’s Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll was in the area on Sunday to see it firsthand. She’ll also be riding in the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade on January 20, 2013.

"As downtown grows, the economy grows as well. That brings in ad valorem taxes and it allows the city to grow in a prosperous way. So it’s generating a new resurgence and excitement that hasn’t been seen in awhile,” said Carroll.

Lt. Governor Carroll spent hours touring several local businesses, visiting with owners as well as patrons.

She says the optimism from owners about the direction of downtown is inspiring.

“One of the things I saw is they’re willing to take a risk. With the downtown development and the collaboration between city leaders, these owners are getting the firsthand knowledge of what to expect,” Carroll said.

Lt. Governor Carroll has perspective on just how much downtown Pensacola has grown. During her military career, she was actually stationed at NAS Pensacola. She said the difference between then and 2013 is night and day.

“It was a really small-town environment. To see the advancements now and the diversity of businesses and to see so many female business owners, it's really refreshing,” said Carroll.

Carroll says she has high expectations for the future of the area.

“I expect new businesses coming in here. I expect anchor sites coming in here and more military presence. So if I have anything to do with it, I’m going to share this good news with the rest of the state as well,” Carroll said.