BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Starke has joined the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation, agreeing last week to financially support the corporation’s work to bring new businesses and jobs into the county.
The commission voted 3-1 on Dec. 17 to pay the EDC’s $10,000 membership fee. This is the highest investment tier, with tiers starting at $250 for individuals and nonprofits, and $500-$1,000 for businesses.
Commissioners have been weighing whether to spend public funds without knowing specifically how the city would benefit. Commissioners Janice Mortimer and Danny Nugent also wanted a commissioner or other city representative to be more engaged in the EDC’s decision making.
The corporation’s bylaws prohibit elected officials from having a seat on the board of directors. Also, elected officials are obliged to operate in public, creating a conflict with the corporation’s need to keep certain discussions with business owners and developers private.
City commissioners and administrators have been invited to attend EDC meetings but would not be allowed to listen in when privacy is required. While some members also sit in the EDC’s board of directors and vote on corporation business, the city of Starke will not.
The decision — which was originally postponed until January — was not unanimous, with Nugent voting against paying for membership. Mortimer gave her blessing to move forward with a vote in her absence, according to Jimmy Crosby, chief administrative officer. She previously indicated her support would hinge on the city having an ex officio (nonvoting) seat on the board.
In the prior meeting on Dec. 3, Mortimer recognized that the city commission would have a final say in many economic and development matters in the city, telling Shepard, “You can’t bring a business into our city without the city making some kind of accommodations.”
According to Shepard, benefits for the city’s membership include:
—direct marketing of Starke properties.
—inclusion of city staff with executive business leader visits to Bradford.
—promotion of commercial and residential development for Starke properties.
—representation of Starke, by the EDC, in the global marketplace, conferences and summits, as well as state level events.
—inclusion in the search for grant opportunities.
—strategic advisory for economic development.
—reduced rates for relevant economic development grant writing and project management.
—letters of support for city’s local, state and federal initiatives.
EDC will also keep city commissioners updated with quarterly presentations and monthly activity email reports.
Shepard has assured the commission that even without a direct vote in the corporation’s activities, the city’s input will be essential to their work.
“Every executive that comes to this community, I bring them to Mr. Crosby’s office so that we can have that meeting, have that conversation, and make sure that it’s a good fit for the community,” Shepard said during the Dec. 3 meeting.
The $10,000 fee covers a year’s membership. Continued support will depend on results and whether commissioners think their investment was money well spent.
Editor’s note: A previous story referred to the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation as the Northeast Florida Economic Development Partnership, a similarly titled but separate entity that also works on growing the economy throughout the region. We apologize for the error. Additionally, Bradford County Telegraph is a member of Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation.
