Flagler County is open for business.

That’s the message Flagler County Economic Development Manager Tywan Arrington wants to share. And word is spreading.

“Flagler is a hidden gem that is slowly being discovered by companies,” Arrington, who has been in his role since September 2025, said. “Whether they are attracted to the quality of life, our tax benefits, cost of living or our location, we are growing.”

Flagler County boasts that commutes in their area are measured in minutes, not miles. Part of Florida’s High-Tech Corridor, which is the fourth largest hot spot for tech jobs in the U.S., Flagler provides a location that offers resources and accessibility for advanced manufacturing, aviation, life sciences, technology and agriculture industries.

Flagler County is close enough to major metro areas to enable international passenger travel as well as seaport access for transportation of goods. And as part of JAXPORT, Florida’s largest Foreign Trade Zone, Flagler County enables companies to be competitive in the global economy by reducing tariff burdens on the importation of foreign components and on exported finished products.

In his role, Arrington supports the companies who are already located in Flagler and works with a variety of state and local agencies to offer incentives to value-added businesses who are expanding and relocating.

“I am in constant contact with vendors who work with our companies to see if we can reduce the cost for these companies by bringing the vendors here,” he said.

In addition to incentives for companies, Flagler County has a ready-to-work talent pipeline thanks to its collaboration with the City of Palm Coast and the Flagler County School District. That partnership and history of working together includes the formation of a medical ecosystem that has directly benefited AdventHealth, one of Flagler’s largest employers.

It isn’t just big companies who are looking to make Flagler County home. There are over 3,000 officially registered businesses operating in Flagler County according to the State of Florida, and fewer than 10 of those organizations have more than 500 employees. The remaining small businesses see their economic impact by receiving and giving support to the local community.

While businesses are attracted to the incentives and corporate perks of Flagler County, their employees enjoy the lifestyle.

At just three miles, Flagler Beach’s Exit 284 of I-95 is the closest exit to the beach from Maine to Miami. Flagler County remains one of the fastest-growing areas in Florida and the United States. In 2025, the population is estimated to have topped more than 140,000 residents.

But for Arrington, the small-town feel and old-Florida charm of Flagler are an unmatched opportunity for businesses hoping to recruit high-quality employees.

“We have the agriculture, beach, rural and suburban areas all in one county, which is pretty rare,” Arrington said. “My goal is to make sure we attract companies who pay higher wages, so we can make sure kids, grandkids and future generations enjoy our quality of life all the way to retirement.”

Visit www.visitflagler.com/economic-development for more information.