Blue Ribbon Commission Idea Could Put Flagler in the Black

In the competition to attract new business development and high-paying jobs, communities across the Sunshine State and around the country are looking for every advantage they can find. Sometimes that means borrowing ideas that have been successful in other places. That is the spirit and genesis of a recent pitch made to the Palm Coast City Council and Flagler County Commission.

Howard Holley, CEO of Touchpoint Innovative Solutions and publisher of EVOLVE News, spoke to both elected bodies, asking them to consider adopting the economic development model used by Leon County and Tallahassee, conducted by a single, joint entity.

“Leon County and Tallahassee created a collaborative, integrative and strategic office of economic vitality,” Holley said. “They integrated across the county and the city. I believe it is something that we could model and something we should consider.”

Holley said the first step would be to form a blue-ribbon commission comprised of government, the business community and residents to learn what the steps would be to form the joint effort and what local jurisdictions can learn from the Leon County/Tallahassee experience.

In an interview with EVOLVE News, acting Palm Coast City Manager Lauren Johnston said the City Council has given her consensus to work with Flagler County officials to research the topic. She said the findings of that effort would be discussed at a future city workshop.

Asked if the Leon County/Tallahassee model would work for Flagler County and Palm Coast, Johnston said it is possible.

“But only if designed to fit Flagler’s scale,” she said. “A Tallahassee-style centralized/evidence-driven office can improve coordination, remove mixed messages to prospects and deliver better metrics and workforce alignment, but for Flagler it must be sized, funded and staffed for Flagler’s market and gain buy-in from municipal leaders and major local stakeholders – Palm Coast, business community, education stakeholders, hospitals, workforce boards.”