- May 8, 2024
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Officials gathered June 15, at City Marketplace, to hold a grand opening for Palm Coast’s Business Assistance Center.
As part of Palm Coast’s Prosperity 2021 initiative, the city held a grand opening for its new Business Assistance Center, in cooperation with local organizations SCORE, the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, Enterprise Flagler and the Center for Business Excellence.
The facility will function as a sub-center of the University of Central Florida’s Small Business Development Center and will be managed by former Army man, college professor, manufacturer and entrepreneur Joseph Roy.
“It’s more than just an office,” Palm Coast Senior Economic Development Planner and BAC Team Leader Beau Falgout.
Upon arrival, guests were given puzzle pieces, which they worked to organize into a BAC logo by the door. The theme of the event, according to Falgout, was “Putting the pieces together.”
Collaborating with UCF, Palm Coast’s Business Assistance Center is backed with 30 years of experience at 34 centers statewide. According to Falgout, UCF spent more than $100 million last year studying aerospace, medicine, information technology and modeling/simulation. UCF’s small business development center is also one of the most successful of its kind in the state. Last year, he said, it helped to create/retain 2,100 jobs.
“So when you’re talking about target industries in this county, (they’re) a great partner to have,” he said.
Mayor Jon Netts spoke of the center as a testament to the county’s independent spirit.
“I’m so proud of this because Flagler County and Palm Coast have taken the position that we’re going to solve our problems ourselves. We’re not waiting for someone from the federal government or the state government to solve our problems for us. We’re going to do it ourselves … Local businesses, entrepreneurial startup businesses … that’s our future. That’s what this is all about.”
Roy said to focus on what can be, not on what was.
“Today’s really a new economic beginning in our city,” he said, adding that there are currently 4,000 small businesses launching or operating in Flagler County.
“Just think if we made a difference in just 10% of that number,” he said. “We have the chance to become an economic model of growth in Florida … and in the nation.”
The Business Assistance Center offers free confidential counseling by certified business analysts, training workshops and seminars (nominal fees may apply), online counseling and training, conferences, tradeshows and a business library.
Also in UCF’s arsenal are two mobile assistance centers, which travel to disaster areas — such as post-Katrina New Orleans — to help small businesses find their footing again.
Grouped with City Council members and county commissioners, officials squeezed in for a picture.
“Say business!” joked Mayor Netts, smiling for the photo. “Say money!”
For more, call Roy at 986-4765. The center is located in Palm Coast city offices, in City Marketplace, Suite 105.
