There’s a lot of money to be made on Everglades restoration – at least for construction contractors and vendors $1.5 billion for starters. More than 500 companies – and local employment offices—gathered in West Palm Beach Thursday for the first annual Accelerate Symposium and Exhibition. Accelerate is a $1.5 billion boost from the state for Everglades Restoration projects—set to get underway in the next few months. The event – hosted by the South Florida Water Management District – aimed to inform construction contractors, subcontractors, and vendors who want contracts. District Spokesman – Randy Smith – says the main goal is to ensure the bidding process is fair.

“To make sure that we get these projects completed requires lots of construction, engineering, design and labor work…which having symposiums with more than 500 potential vendors there – you can see there’s plenty of work, and plenty of companies – we just need to make sure everyone’s got an equal chance at getting part of the work.”

There are 8 projects under Accelerate – including the planned Caloosahatchee – or C-43 - Reservoir near Labelle. It will collect and store extra water. That project will begin sometime next year. Southern Golden Gate restoration is also on the list. Smith says there’ll be more symposiums like this one down the road.