BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
“So, this has been a journey.”
Those were the words of Amber Shepherd with the Northeast Florida Economic Development Corporation when she recently delivered a grant-funded roadmap for growth to Bradford County Commissioners.
County Manager Scott Kornegay previously shared “Welcome to Bradford County,” a two-and-a-half-minute video produced with portion of the $75,000 technical assistance grant. It can be viewed at the EDC’s website (www.nefedc.com) along with other key information to entice people to come to Bradford County. It can also be viewed on the county’s YouTube page.
Shepherd has now submitted the 78-page Bradford County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan funded by the grant. Like Shepherd’s presentation, the plan opens discussing Bradford County’s journey — this “pivotal moment in its economic journey.”
“With its rich heritage, strategic location, and commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents, the county is poised for significant growth,” it reads. “The Bradford County Economic Development Strategic Plan has been crafted to serve as a guiding framework for driving sustainable economic development, fostering innovation, and ensuring the long-term prosperity of the region.”
Through addressing opportunities and challenges, the plan’s goals over the next five years include attracting new businesses in key sectors like manufacturing, logistics and agribusiness; supporting expansion of existing businesses by providing resources, improving infrastructure and approving business-friendly policies; enhancing the workforce through educational and training partnerships; and fostering community engagement so economic growth aligns with values and goals of residents. The strategic plan represents collaboration with stakeholders in business, government, education as well as the public, according to the report.
Short-term goals established include increasing business retention efforts, developing an economic marketing campaign, enhancing public-private partnerships, completing infrastructure assessments and planning, and increasing workforce and education training programs. In the long-term, Bradford would be established as a regional economic hub, “a key player in Northeast Florida’s economy, attracting major industries and fostering diverse business growth to create a resilient and balanced economic ecosystem.”
The long-term goals also include expanding access to water, sewer, transportation and broadband internet; new workforce programs to make the county a leader in workforce development; promoting sustainable economic growth that conserves Bradford’s natural resources and rural character; and diversifying the local economy by targeting high-value industries including advanced manufacturing, logistics, agriculture and technology.
All of that is just the opening pages of the plan, which continues with a current economic overview of infrastructure, quality of life, active projects, available properties, assets and more. Strategic objectives are set for the next 12 months and the next five years. Key milestones and deliverables for that period include:
Short-Term Milestones (0–12 months):
• Submission of USDA and EDA grant applications for water and sewer infrastructure.
• Implementation of impact fees for residential and commercial developments.
• Add one or two new properties quarterly to the GIS Planning platform.
• Attend high-profile conferences, including CES and SpaceCom, to attract key industries.
• Launch marketing campaigns showcasing Bradford County’s business-friendly environment.
• Improve Bradford County School District ratings by leveraging revamped education systems and focusing on early intervention strategies.
Mid-Term Milestones (13–60 months):
• Completion of water and sewer infrastructure projects for priority areas like the Starke bypass.
• Initiation of the Douglas Property business park, with infrastructure development underway.
• Establish workforce certification programs aligned with industry needs.
Long-Term Milestones (61+ months):
• Full operational capacity of business parks with anchor tenants.
• Creation of public transportation and workforce housing initiatives to support sustainable growth.
• Ongoing infrastructure expansion to position Bradford County as a competitive economic hub.
Multiple entities will play multiple roles in the work to come. The EDC says its role will be overseeing the overall implementation of these plans, management of partnerships, attracting new businesses and providing strategic support to existing businesses. Progress will be measured through several metrics, including grant approval, job creation, business investment and retention, population growth and housing development, and that it will be measured as they go.
“This is going to be a living document that we will maintain,” Shepherd said of the strategic plan. “I’m committed to coming quarterly and giving the commission updates on things that are going on, and I do think that we should, update the strategic plan annually — because things do change, priorities do change — and make sure that we’re all singing from the same choir book.”
Commissioners thanked Shepherd for her work on developing the plan, with Commissioner Diane Andrews saying it was obvious she had a heart for seeing Bradford County grow.
Comparing her work to a plate spinner, Shepherd said, “Eventually it’s going to kick off, and I’m excited to be a part of this. I’m looking forward to the growth.”
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