EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine February 2019 | Page 37

H
ow do we stay ahead of the game? How do we continue
to diversify our economic drivers? Even as the economy
continues its upward trend, these are the questions on the
minds of economic development teams in Volusia County and across
the nation. Part of the answer is to attract new business. But just how
to go about it? It’s a complex equation.
As site selectors will tell you, there’s a matrix – a list of boxes to
check off, that make a community attractive to the decision makers.
While workforce, logistics and speed to market are among the top
requirements, quality of life is another important factor.
Gray Swoope, President and CEO of VisionFirst Advisors knows
a thing or two about what it takes to market the complete package.
Serving as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce from 2011-2015, he was
tasked with being Governor Rick Scott’s point man for spreading the
word that Florida was “open for business.”
Today, as an economic development consultant and site selector,
his understanding of the area’s offerings help provide insight to
communities like Volusia County, when reaching out to targeted
industries for consideration.
“If you look at a state’s strategy, the state is only as competitive
as its communities,” says Swoope.
“In the tight labor market of today, talent attraction, retention
and skill development is linked to place, with cultural amenities
being part of the equation,” he offers.
Thriving cultural activities are natural attractors for talent.
Providing opportunities for families and single members of the
workforce opens the door to new talent and sparks a community’s
growth.
When looking to capture the attention of targeted businesses like
the aerospace, professional services and advanced manufacturing
industries, not only is ease of the business side important but the
quality of place also makes a difference.
“If you look at the role of economic development for Volusia
County and how you position yourself to to 1. create economic
wealth and 2. makes sure there is an includsion of all people that
participate in the economic growth, then the quality of place
matters,” Swoope says. “While some people may not see arts as
important, the truth of the matter is arts and things from a cultural
standpoint attract talent. If you don’t have talent, you will not be
prosperous.”
Josh Bays, a partner at the Texas-based Site Selection Group,
leads the economic development consulting division, helping with
economic development competitive assessments.
Quality of life links directly to several factors, namely workforce
and population, important components in an assessment. “When
you talk about the role quality of life plays when companies
Photo credit: Daytona Beach Area CVB
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