Edgewater
sharpens focus on economic development
Edgewater means business.
That’s
the message the city council and economic
development board want to convey through a flurry of activity
that underscores the City of Edgewater as an appealing site for
commerce, business and industry.
Meanwhile there is plenty of economic development activity in
Edgewater.
Redevelopment plans include designation of a brownfield
area, also known as the Edgewater Redevelopment Area (ERA)
to hasten the development process under
certain circumstances. There is a study
under way to explore the feasibility of a
community redevelopment area (CRA). The
city also is working with the Florida Inland
Navigation District to make dredged material
available as free fill for prospective employers
based on the number of new jobs created.
Incentives have been developed to allow for
reduced impact and/or redevelopment fees for the generation of
new jobs. And, there is an ambitious plan to enhance the
downtown area that is the result of the 2008 Envision Edgewater
visioning process.
“It is
impossible to overstate the importance of our
relationship with the county and, in particular, the Department
of Economic Development,” said Barlow. “The county’s
assistance has been invaluable and has kept us in the economic
development hunt while we ramp up our own city-specific
program.”
The city
also is promoting the fact there are economic
development assets that are ready for new businesses. For
example, the city’s Park Towne Industrial Center is a shovel ready
location that already is the home to thriving businesses;
the Massey Ranch Airpark can accommodate corporate and
general aviation.
The city
also promotes its quiet lifestyle.
