Ormond Beach and economic development: latest OB Life talks bringing and retaining businesses

Ormond Beach Observer
News

Economic development matters because it creates jobs, diversifies the economy and improves a city's quality of life, said Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher at the the last OB Life workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

The final installment in the city's civic engagement series centered around Ormond Beach's business and industries. Aside from Rademacher, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Cotton and Robin King, president and CEO of CareerSource Flagler Volusia, also conducted presentations.

"The fact that you're here means that you have the opportunity to contribute, have your questions answered and your voices heard," said Mayor Bill Partington to the workshop's 34 attendees at the start.

Rademacher discussed the city's economic development strategy, which include business retention and expansion.

OB Life workshop attendance drops further

The OB Life civic engagement series saw a large crowd of 250 people at the first workshop — centered around development — that was held in June. The second workshop drew about 100 people; the third around 87, the fourth was attended by roughly 57 people, and the fifth saw a small spike with an estimated 60.

The sixth and final OB Life workshop drew less than 40 people. The city's polling device responses hovered around 34.

The workshop's moderator, Rafael Montalvo from the University of Central Florida, commented on the small crowd while instructing them about how the workshop was structured.

"This is a select group, slightly smaller than some of our earlier groups, but still more people that can possibly speak in a couple of hours," he said.

Despite the low attendance, Ormond Beach Mayor Bill Partington thanked people for coming out, saying the City Commission appreciates the community's input on these topics, which will aid them in updating the city's strategic plan for 2019.

Comments on how the series could improve from the fourth OB Life installment summary held on Sept. 25 (the summary from the fifth workshop is not yet available online), suggested there be more open discussion and questions answered live.

He highlighted the capital investments the city and businesses have made to draw high paying jobs to the area, such as tool manufacturer Skyo Industries, which invested $5 million and employs 35 people; Prime Global Group, which invested $2.9 million and also employs 35 people; and Super Petrel USA, which invested $300,000 and employs five.

Over the last five years, Rademacher said companies like these have invested $10 million and employed 275 people. On the expansion specturm, he mentioned Security First Insurance's $30 million investment in Ormond Crossings and Concentrated Aloe's $2.2 million investment.

"There's a reason why these companies are deciding to stay here, and there's a reason why these companies are choosing Ormond Beach as the location for their business," Rademacher said.

He said it's because Ormond Beach has a competitive advantage due to the city's business parks, municipal airport, available commercial sites and the active downtown and beach districts. These are assets the city should continue to invest in.

How does Ormond compare?

King's presentation during the workshop centered around comparing the demographics of the city to the county's and the state's. For example, she said Ormond Beach's median age is 52.6 years old — higher than Volusia's at 46.5 years old and the state's at 41.6.

Here are a few other demographic facts King shared:

33% of Ormond's population is between 55 and 74 years old. 22% are under 25.
Ormond Beach ranks higher in number of people with a bachelor's degree, or higher, compared to Volusia County and the state.
The city's median household income is $47,000.
There are 1700 businesses in Ormond Beach's zip code.
24% of the local workforce are employed in education and health services.

Though all official OB Life workshops have been held, there will be a wrap-up meeting to discuss all of the findings from the program from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Calvary Christian Academy Kids Center, located at 1687 W. Granada Blvd.