Every community wants to build a sustainable economy through new business development and assisting existing businesses. The path to economic development success begins with a vision and plan. For Lou Paris, Volusia County’s newly appointed director of economic development, that vision begins with cooperation and coordination between local governments, community organizations and other partners. “Our […]Read More
While the NCAA basketball tournament is getting underway, the search for a home for the Florida Museum of Black History already has its own Elite 8. The project to create a museum celebrating Florida’s Black history comes from a bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May of last year and includes the selection of […]Read More
If it feels a bit more crowded on the highways and byways of St. Johns County, it’s not your imagination. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 Vintage Population Estimates, St. Johns County’s population grew by just over 4% between July 2022 and July 2023 to 320,110. The increase follows a trend already underway that […]Read More
Economic development doesn’t happen in a vacuum and nobody in St. Johns County knows that better than Scott Maynard, senior vice president for economic development at the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. “One of our goals is to have additional land dedicated to industrial development to provide developers with more options,” he said in […]Read More
Following the recent transition of ownership of the IMAX Theater and World Golf Hall of Fame building, St. Johns County has reaffirmed its dedication to keeping the IMAX Theater open to the public, according to a county media release. With the announced departure of the World Golf Hall of Fame Foundation in 2023, St. Johns […]Read More
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group, Inc. (ARC) provides global logistics and shipping services to the U.S. Government. ARC and its affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) fleet of vessels. This includes providing American-owned, managed and crewed Ro-Ro shipping and intermodal services committed to the requirements of the Department of Defense, other […]Read More
Sarah Katherine Massey, Director of Talent, Education & Quality of Life Policy, Florida Chamber of Commerce recent reported that with the Florida Chamber’s support, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo spent this legislative session prioritizing how to address the current and anticipated future healthcare workforce shortages in Florida. Her healthcare package titled ‘Live Healthy’ is now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature after passing with overwhelming support. This […]Read More
Each year the Florida Economic Development Council establishes a list of legislative priorities. With the 2024 Legislative Session coming to a close, FEDC has released a recap of funding levels set for economic and workforce development as outlined in the FEDC 2024 Legislative Priorities. Florida Job Growth Grant Fund $75 million (non-recurring) Workforce Education Programs $100 million […]Read More
In December, the Florida Department of Education released district and school grades for the 2022-23 school year, and the St. Johns County School District once again received an overall A grade from the assessment. This past year, the Florida Department of Education transitioned from using traditional high-stakes testing to now using Florida’s Assessment of Student […]Read More
Agriculture is more than crops and harvests, and St. Johns County is a perfect example. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2022 Census of Agriculture, the county’s 223 farms produce a range of commodities, from potatoes and vegetables to cattle, hogs and fruit. Those agricultural operations produced a market value of nearly $58 million. […]Read More