- April 17, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Project Koala, Project Cosmos and others could add to Olive Garden/Red Lobster’s 200.
After the approximately 200 jobs from the recent hirings at Olive Garden and Red Lobster on State Road 100, a few other projects could be heading to town and could ultimately add another 800 jobs.
Project Koala
Local officials often use sports analogies to discuss economic development. They say things like, “We’re going to get back in the game by hitting lots of singles, rather than sitting around and waiting for the home run.”
However, according to City Manager Jim Landon, the home run hitter could be coming up next.
Executives from Project Koala, an as-of-yet unidentified company, has narrowed its possible site list from 30 down to three — including Palm Coast/Flagler County — for building its corporate headquarters.
“A couple of weeks ago they came to visit, and they have asked us to provide additional details on possible sites and any incentives,” Landon said.
The project includes a corporate headquarters, research and development, manufacturing and distribution. The initial facility would be 100,000 square feet, employing more than 100 people. The expected growth would be a 500,000-square-foot facility and 400 jobs.
“We’re certainly going to do everything we can do (to attract Project Koala),” Mayor Jon Netts said.
He said, however, that the city wouldn’t forget the existing businesses in order to attract a new one.
Also, Netts was optimistic, but cautiously so.
“We understand very clearly that we’re in competition with other sites,” Netts said. “They have expectations, and they have needs, and our goal is to see to the extent possible that we can align our needs with their needs and make a win-win for both of us.”
Landon said the lead for the company originated with Enterprise Florida, which passed it to Enterprise Flagler.
Landon said: “We have a very cooperative effort with the city of Palm Coast, the city of Bunnell, Flagler County, Enterprise Flagler and the Chamber of Commerce all working to attract this business, which would be a home run, if we are successful.”
Project Cosmos
That brings the total up to about 600 jobs. Project Cosmos, if it lands in the area, could bring another 200, Landon said.
This week, the manufacturing company is coming to town to view various sites.
“We only have preliminary information at this time, but we’ve been told it’s approximately a 100,000-square-foot facility and 200 good paying jobs,” Landon said. “Once again, we have been successful in making the short list of only two communities they are considering at this time.”
Landon said the lead for this project also came through Enterprise Flagler, and the effort is being coordinated through all the same community partners as Project Koala.
Restaurant and medium box?
The last two projects would total about 200, bringing the grand total on the wish list to 1,000.
Of these, one is a restaurant, which Landon said has a national reputation. Another is a “medium box” company (as opposed to a “big box,” such as Walmart), looking for about 50,000 square feet.
Landon said the medium box is “more of a longshot. We’re hoping they’ll come visit us by the end of the month, but it’s very preliminary.”
With tongue in cheek, Landon added: “With a visit to Palm Coast, we’re hoping they will come to their senses.”
As Netts and Landon acknowledged, none of the above projects could be considered secure (other than Olive Garden and Red Lobster, which open their doors March 7). But, Landon said, “In today’s economic environment, it’s exciting to be in the final running.”
