Loading...
04-02-1987 o o CITY OF EDGEWATER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 1987 7:00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL MINUTES Chairman Florence Baker called to order a regular meeting of the Industrial Development Board at 7:00 P.M., April 2, 1987, in the conference room of City Hall. ROLL CALL Members present were Florence Baker, Dale Andrew and Robert Richards. Caryl Middleton was excused and Ralph Racca was absent. Also present were Beverly Kinney, Board Secretary and Mr. Dave Richmond, guest speaker, from Volusia County Business Development Corporation. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of February 11, 1987, and March 5, 1987, were tabled due to the lack of a quorum. OLD BUSINESS Discussion of Board Vacancies: Mrs. Baker asked if,there were any letters received requesting appointment to the Board. She was in- formed there were~hbne. Mrs. Baker was told the ads for the News- Journal and News and Observer for Board openings were appearing twice a year. Mrs. Baker' stated the Board would be approaching the Council to see if they would appoint someone. NEW BUSINESS Dave Richmond, Director, Volusia County Business Development Corporation: Mr. Richmond asked the purpose of the Board and Mrs. Baker read from Resolution 79-R-39, section 2, which stated the purpose of the Board. Mr. Richmond explained the Volusia County Business Development Corporation was a non-profit Florida Corporation established in January, 1985. The County Council formed the Corporation, but they are not a part of County government. The Board of Directors is made up of ten (10) business people from allover the Volusia County area. The operating budget is approximately $400,000.00 per year which comes from a variety of sources. The Volusia County Business Development Corporation has a contract with Volusia County and twelve (12) cities in Volusia County. The county pays $100,000.00 per year and the cities contribute at 50~ percapita. Mr. Richmond stated Edgewater was not part of Volusia County Bus- iness Development Corporation, but he had gone before the City Council last year to make an appeal, and was voted down. The Mayor did send a check this year to the Volusia County Business Development Corporation per Mr. Richmond. There are two (2) forms of membership in the private business sector, the Volusia County Ambassadors for the larger firms contributing at least $1,000.00 per year, and we have some smaller firms contributing approximately $250.00 per year. Mr. Richmond explained advertising is one method used to promote Volusia County. He stated marketing a county or a city for economic development is like being in a business and selling a product, which means your product has to be better than that of the competition. o o Mr. Richmond explained that a company's decision to relocate is usually based on R.O.I. (return on investment), in otherwords the rate of return on investing in a new facility. The company is looking to maximize their profit. Mr. Richmond stated the Volusia County Business Development Corp- oration wants to be the marketing arm in developing industrial prospects for the entire county. Mrs. Baker asked Mr. Richmond what the goal of the Volusia County Business Development Corporation was. He stated it is to increase the number of jobs and to increase wages in the county. According to Mr. Richmond, Volusia County is the third lowest in the state in regard to average worker wages. Mrs. Baker suggested having Mr. Richmond address the Council regarding the Volusia County Business Development Corporation. The Board agreed they would be present with Mr. Richmond at a Council meeting to show their support. Mr. Richmond stated the April 20, 1987 Council meeting would be fine with him. Mrs. Baker asked Mr. Richmond his opinion on charging for booths at an Industrial Development Fair and sending the money raised to the Volusia County Business Development Corporation. The industry renting a booth could use the fee as a donation for a tax write-off. Mr. Richmond felt that it would not generate any profit. Mr. Richmond felt that unless there was some way to draw a crowd, it would not be much of a money maker. Mr. Andrew asked if the Volusia County Business Development Corp- oration did any promoting at the airport. Mr. Richmond stated there would be an advertisement in the baggage area of the airport in approximately sixty (60) to ninety (90) days to promote industry in Volusia County. Mr. Richmond stated they have set up some tasks forces, local industry expansion and the small business task force. What they do is determine what kind of programs can be developed that will effect- ively help small business and help local industry expand. There was some discussion regarding small business loans ~nd grartts available. Mr. Richmond stated one big problem in drawing industry to this area is the fact that Volusia County is known more as a vacation spot, not a business area. The Volusia County Business Development Corp- oration is trying to point out to prospective industry Volusia County is part of central Florida, just like Orlando. Mrs. Baker thanked Mr. Richmond for speaking to the Board. Mr. Rich- mond reminded the Board members Volusia County Business Development Corporation could not bring industry into Volusia County alone, they would need partners in all the cities they represent. MISCELLANEOUS Mr. Richards asked if there would be an Industrial Development Fair this year. Mrs. Baker, with the approval of the Board, would like to invite Roland Smith and various other people, names not available at this time, to discuss the possibility of working with New Smyrna Beach to see what can be worked out. There being no further business to come before the Board Mr. Richards moved to adjourn. Mr. Andrew seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Beverly Kinney Industrial Development Board Regular Meeting April 2, 1987 -2-