- April 18, 2024
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Bunnell’s Armando Martinez wants a coalition to give small cities bigger clout in the county.
For the second time, the sixth Economic Development Summit session, scheduled for July 27, has been canceled — this time due to scheduling conflicts. No new date has been announced.
In the wake of the cancellation, Bunnell City Manager Armando Martinez took the lead on creating a group called the Coalition of Flagler Cities, “To make sure that the cities in Flagler County are united (and) providing input on any issues regarding economic development.”
The coalition’s first meeting was Friday, July 15. Representatives from Bunnell, Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach and Marineland attended. Palm Coast officials didn’t believe it was the right time for such an organization, Martinez said, but a seat is available for them at the table, regardless.
“It’s kind of confusing as to what direction economic development is going to go in this county,” Martinez said. But unity, he believes, is at the heart of the issue, and the coalition can give smaller cites a louder voice.
Martinez is chairman of the new organization, and Flagler Beach City Commissioner Jane Mealy is vice chairwoman.
“We might not be the 800-pound gorilla, but combined, we might be the 600-pound gorilla,” Martinez said. He believes all cities benefit from development.
“We can’t be divided,” he said, “We can’t be fighting one another. (That) was the message of the summit … then for some reason or another, it derailed.”
Coalition discussions will continue at the next summit, then possibly at the next Enterprise Flagler meeting.
The coalition will meet every third Friday of the month, at Beverley Beach commission chambers.
“The coalition is pretty much, right now, at the sideline,” Martinez admitted, “which is better than not being there at all.”
Other efforts
After frustrations Palm Coast and others have faced in trying to attract companies that ask for large sums of cash incentives, Palm Coast City Manager Jim Landon said: “We can’t fix the economy; we can just try to help the private sector bring it back, bit by bit.”
Landon said the recent lacrosse tournament at the county’s Wadsworth Park was a great step for sports tourism, which will help local businesses. There are now five more tournaments scheduled at the Indian Trails Sports Complex before the end of the year.
— Brian McMillan contributed.
