aerospace companies. Being so close to the Space Coast, and at the threshold of Florida’ s High Tech Corridor, make Volusia County a prime location for aviation and aerospace enterprises. Add Daytona Beach International Airport to the mix and the case for Volusia County becomes compelling.
The third mandate for future success includes collaboration with universities that have long resumes of interaction and partnership with aviation and aerospace companies. Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida International University in Melbourne, and the University of Central Florida in Orlando all have strong aviation and aerospace partnerships, which means they are in frequent contact with many companies and organizations that may want to establish a Central Florida presence for research, development, flight ops or manufacturing. In that instance, we have a great story to share with them.
Team Volusia EDC also collaborates frequently with other area colleges and universities such as Daytona State College, Bethune- Cookman University, Keiser University and Stetson University, Keiser University and others.
While outreach, aviation and aerospace marketing, and collaboration with colleges and universities will help Volusia County remain competitive as the future approaches at warpspeed, other disciplines must not be ignored. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development( OEDC), which
promotes policies that improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world, calls for economic development organizations to invest in technology and digital infrastructure. This is essential. Oftentimes, Team Volusia’ s digital footprint can pre-qualify – or pre-disqualify – our community, depending on what a site selector or prospective company is looking for. That is why we are attentive to our online presence. The organization continually upgrades its website and has an active presence on professionally oriented social media. Team Volusia also participates in webinars and other digital offerings and mines data relative to every prospect as well as that prospect’ s industry.
In short, the road ahead is paved with today’ s vision of tomorrow’ s challenges. What we do in the present is an investment in the success we want to achieve in the future.
Dwight DuRant, P. E., is president of Zev Cohen & Associates, Inc. As such, he oversees the firm’ s interdisciplinary civil engineering, environmental and urban planning functions. He and his team create real communities, pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods and inviting streetscapes. Dwight also is active in community service, serving as Chairman of Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation.
NICK STICKLER
PRESIDENT, BOSTON WHALER
THE UNSINKABLE LEGEND GROWS
Boston Whaler’ s parent company, Brunswick Corporation, appointed Nick Stickler president of the venerable manufacturer of legendary“ unsinkable” boats in 2016. Since that time, the company has grown significantly, as illustrated earlier this year when the company broke ground on a $ 42 million expansion at its Edgewater plant. That ceremony followed – by just a few years – a 58,000 square foot expansion in 2015, which brought the Boston Whaler manufacturing footprint to 364,000 square feet. In celebrating the latest milestone, Stickler cited the dedication of company employees, suppliers and dealers as contributing to the expansion needs. Locally, Boston Whaler supports economic development through its Board Level investment in Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation.
INVESTOR SPOTLIGHT
TEAMVOLUSIAEDC. COM 386.265.6332