Obama's visit puts Arcadia back on map after hurricane

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

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Arcadia residents are hoping a new solar power center and support from President Obama will put their town back on the map after a hurricane five years ago.

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The town of Arcadia is back on the map after Hurricane Charley hit five years ago, thanks to a visit by President Barack Obama and a new solar power center.

Obama used the backdrop of solar panels at Florida Power & Light in Arcadia to announce billions of dollars for energy-saving technology.

Ron Long, who owns Isabella's Antiques, says when Hurricane Charley hit it destroyed homes and businesses in Arcadia.

"A lot of people think the hurricanes destroyed everything and the town was gone," Long said. "So, we're very happy and it's time to get put back on the map again."

Kathy Salvador, with FPL, says the new facility cost $150-million to build but it was money well spent. There are no fuel costs to run the solar panels.

In addition to the plant in Desoto County, FPL is in the process of building two more in Martin County and at the Kennedy Space Center.

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