Contractors, developers, engineers and other construction business executives are calling on state and federal lawmakers to support continued investment in Everglades restoration projects as part of an effort to create jobs in an industry that has been hit hard during Florida's prolonged economic recession.

Through a media conference call held from Palmetto Bay, Fla., the contractors issued a direct appeal to Gov. Rick Scott, Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon. The construction and engineering company officials discussed specific projects that they are working on -- or could be working on -- that employ workers across the state.

The media call was followed by a letter to Tallahassee lawmakers and the Florida delegation in Washington, D.C., including U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson. “Continued state funding of Everglades restoration will help ensure that the federal government stands by its commitment to fund these important projects and will allow construction to move forward,” contractors wrote. “The Everglades stand at a crossroads.”