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