BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE – A new Economic Development Corporation is replacing the Bradford County Development Authority, which will dissolve on June 30.
The loss of the development authority was the unintended consequence of the state’s dissolving the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which oversaw land use and other local government functions like firefighting and utilities around Disney World.
Taking over the development authority’s promotion of real estate and economic development in Braford County will be a new independent Economic Development Corporation whose board members already include Bradford County contractor Evan Douglas, Union County businessman Avery Roberts and Clay County commercial real estate agent Sandra Kahle.
Attorney Clay Martin shared the timeline for the new corporation during a June 1 workshop of the development authority. Within 30 days of the June 30 dissolution, a potential list of five to nine board members will be created in time for the corporation’s first meeting. The board will be in place within 60 days, a structure for investment/membership will be created, and potential investors/members will be identified.
The board will engage a website designer to update the site and the search for an economic development director will begin in earnest.
Withing six months, they want the director in place and in an office suitable for meetings and operations.
By the end of the first year, reports on activities and results will identify the needs and accomplishments of the organization.
Areas of focus will be business retention and expansion with initiatives like a business visitation program. The corporation will market itself and Bradford County at special events and conventions and through public relations and publications.
One of the final actions of the development authority was a letter to Bradford County. Because of the dissolution, around $175,000 of the authority’s money must be turned over to the county. The development authority board has asked that the county commission consider investing that money in the new Economic Development Authority.
In much the same way the commission approves expenditures of tourist tax dollars by the Tourist Development Authority, the commission could do the same when the Economic Development Corporation has a plan for the use of those funds.
Members of the Bradford County Development authority have recently included Patricia Evans as chair, Dr. Virgil Berry, Dean Weaver, Bob Milner, Jeff Oody and Martin Shaw. During the workshop, Evans remarked on the hours of effort that have gone into wrapping up their work and planning for this next phase.
