- May 3, 2024
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Summit goals: New leader; 2,480 jobs in three years. Proposed price tag: $7.1 million.
The countywide economic development assembly met May 13 for the fourth time in two months in what facilitator Don Upton called “the family’s first business meeting.” Over the 6.5 hours, the group was able to hammer out more details: A preliminary proposal based on the five focus groups equates to a $7.14 million investment. Organizers say this investment could generate 2,480 new jobs for a total economic benefit to Flagler County of $187.8 million.
Enterprise Flagler to find CEO
Call it a CEO, call it an economic development quarterback, but a leader is needed to execute the plan. That was the consensus, and Enterprise Flagler (the county’s public-private economic development partnership) was nominated to be the entity to devise a job description for whoever will lead the way in defining Flagler County’s economic future.
David Ottati, co-president of Enterprise Flagler’s Executive Board, said the description will be developed in time for the next summit meeting, which will take place after June 15.
Jim Manfre, a citizen representative for Flagler County Schools, suggested a committee similar to the Tourist Development Council be formed and take the lead in the future, rather than Enterprise Flagler.
Roger Leverton represented SCORE, the small-business counseling organization; he supported Enterprise Flagler. County Commission chairman Alan Peterson agreed but said it will eventually need to be restructured.
“For lack of a better organization, (the five focus groups) should report to Enterprise Flagler because this is economic development, and that’s what Enterprise Flagler is supposed to be all about,” Peterson said.
SCORE to stay on board
Leverton was a key figure behind the scenes in preparation for the May 13 meeting. He outlined the county’s potential return on investment.
“The important thing ... is to recognize the relatively little cash actually going out,” Leverton said. “You have a tremendous opportunity to create a large economic contribution.”
According to Leverton, the three-year investment includes $1.6 million in irrecoverable organization and marketing costs; $2.1 million in property-portfolio investment; and $3.4 million in variable job incentives.
Leverton said it was not his mission to remain involved in the county’s economic development process — SCORE’s focus is on small businesses, not government policy — but after city representative John Walsh (also publisher of the Palm Coast Observer) requested SCORE remain involved, Leverton obliged. Leverton will continue to provide counseling in the early stages of the plans.
Pad-ready or not?
One of the five focus groups reported on target-industry investments. Much of the discussion was centered on pad-ready and shovel-ready sites. However, there is still some disagreement among the more than 60 group members as to what those terms mean.
Sam Cline and Mark Langello said they already had pad-ready sites. Cline appeared frustrated at any proposal to invest in pad-ready sites. He said the economy has scared investors away from the sites that already exist in the county, and that’s why he is planning on building a BMX track on his Steel Rail Industrial Complex.
Disagremeent about the inventory of pad-ready sites, as well as determining an accurate return on investment, led city representative Rich Smith to say any decisions about funding would be premature.
“I support a great, accountable plan,” Smith said. “We’re throwing numbers out, and we don’t really have enough information to determine they are accurate and where they should go.”
Leverton said the number of pad-ready sites in the county is unknown, but funding of about $1.15 million is needed for site-portfolio development.
“That’s $1.15 million in today’s economic conditions,” Peterson said. “That’s going to be extremely hard to find and extremely hard to sell to the public.”
Garry Lubi, of the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates, said it isn’t as much as it appears, adding: “$1.15 million is, relatively speaking, chicken feed,” Lubi said. “We have done nothing so long and have got nothing.”
— Brian McMillan and Mike Cavaliere contributed to this report.
