TO: CRA Board of Commissioners
FROM: Joan K. Goodrich, Economic Development Director
THROUGH: Jeff Costello, CRA Executive Director
DATE: December 11, 2018
Title
DISCUSSION - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - INITIATIVES, PROGRAMS AND NEXT STEPS
Body
Background:
Delray Beach’s economic development efforts have evolved since 2003 when the City, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Chamber of Commerce first funded a Director of Business Recruitment position at the Chamber of Commerce to proactively recruit businesses to the community. The Chamber of Commerce led Delray Beach’s economic development strategy through 2007.
In 2009 and during the economic recession, the economic development was transferred to the CRA who entered into an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the City of Delray Beach to fund an Economic Development Director position and “further the economic development within the City in a more cohesive, collaborative and streamlined manner.” The ILA is reviewed annually by the City-CRA and in 2013, a second full-time position was added for an Economic Development Manager position. As such, the CRA has led and managed the Economic Development function for the City of Delray Beach with a primary focus east of I-95 except for OED’s Congress Avenue Initiative which was created in 2014 resulting in the publishing and acceptance of the “Congress Avenue: Delray Beach’s Next Great Street” report by the City Commission in 2016.
Mission and Services:
The mission of the Delray Beach Office of Economic Development is to “inspire and drive the growth of a diverse, vibrant entrepreneurial economy for all.” Together with its partners, the Office of Economic Development (OED) offers economic development project management assistance, site selection assistance, market data, community connections, business funding assistance, financial incentives, small business and entrepreneurial assistance and workforce development liaison services to businesses and compan...
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