EVOLVE Business and Professional Magazine May 2020 | Page 17

VCARD was incorporated in July of 1987. In its formative
years, the organization worked with local governments to address
emerging state regulations regarding growth management and
the environment. Volunteers monitored proposed regulations to
determine the effect said regulations had on the public and on land
development. The group participated in various study boards,
planning groups and governing bodies to make recommendations
in the public interest. Opalewski shared, “The group continues
to work to foster common understanding about where, what and
how we build. This shared understanding leads to more productive
dialogue about how we grow and ensures we are building a better
community.”
DIALOGUE
Dialogue and exchange of information leads to better
communities. And this requires participation – by citizens, business
and civic organizations, and local governments. With 420,555
people living within one of the 16 cities of Volusia County, local
city governments have a major role in ensuring participation by
their citizens. All cities and counties in Florida are required by state
legislation to adopt a comprehensive plan that considers future
land use and growth patterns. These plans require several public
participation sessions so that details of the plan address actual
resident concerns and desires.
The past several years have seen an increase in town hall-style
meetings. Ormond Beach hosted a series of workshops branded
“OB Life” and covered topics such as transportation and resiliency
planning. “We wanted OB Life to really reflect the sentiment of
our local community,” explained Joyce Shanahan, City Manager.
Another city, New Smyrna Beach, hosted meetings in each of their
commissioner districts so that elected officials could hear from the
electorate. And new development requires some level of public
notice and engagement. A revitalization project in Downtown
Daytona Beach, to include multi-family housing and retail, had
to go before a planning board for approval and then the city
commission. These are opportunities for public comment.
Chambers of Commerce also provide a platform to learn
about topics impacting the community. The Daytona Regional
Chamber of Commerce has covered important issues such as
transportation, homelessness, affordable housing and the like for
years through their Eggs & Issues program. They also shed light on
what is happening in Tallahassee at the state Capitol through their
Tallahassee Speaker Series. These forums for discussion are critical
components to building a better community.
Ultimately, in a county comprised of 1,043 square miles,
the only way to build it “better” is to engage those within it. In
dialogue, participants can question and reevaluate assumptions.
Brainstorming together can lead to collective solutions. And
through discussion a shared understanding becomes the foundation
on which to build.
Kerry Karl is the Executive Director for the Volusia
County Association for Responsible Development
and its Flagler County Chapter (VCARD), an
organization dedicated to affecting positive
outcomes for the development in Volusia and
Flagler Counties. Kerry spent 10 years in economic
development prior to taking the helm at VCARD.
PRACTITIONERS COUNCIL:
ON THE FRONT LINE WITH
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS
JORDAN JILOTY,
TVEDC VICE CHAIR
Managing Director, Government &
Community Affairs
NASCAR
JERRY MAYES
Economic Development Manager
City of Deltona
Team Volusia Practitioners Council includes economic developers representing
their cities. Additional members of the Council work on behalf of other public
and private sector organizations that have an interest in economic development.
The Committee is co-chaired by Jordan Jiloty and Jerry Mayes. The Council
facilitates the exchange of information among Team Volusia investors and the
organization’s professional staff. Members share vital information regarding
potential prospects, site availability and more. They provide educational
opportunities regarding economic development best practices. They provide
a vital link to the cities and organizations they represent.
TeamVolusiaEDC.com 386.265.6332