If the adage “Prior planning prevents poor performance” is true, then the economic future of the First Coast and Space Coast regions is on the right track.

Through strategic planning, public/private partnerships and a focus on key performance indicators, local governments and community organizations are charting the course for the next 10 years to ensure economic development and business success keep pace with population growth across the region. But along with the opportunities for economic expansion, there are challenges to face.

For St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Public Policy, there are some key areas that require attention.

“One is the growth and expansion of healthcare in St. Johns County,” he said. “There are currently six major projects under construction and others that will be announced soon.  We are working hand in hand with our education partners across the state to actively recruit professionals to fill these positions.”

Maynard said a related issue is creating housing opportunities for that workforce and diversifying the county’s tax base. 

“The chamber continues to work with our elected officials to provide more opportunities for the construction of attainable housing,” he said. “Finally, we are continuing to work to lower the percentage of ad valorem tax on rooftops and grow our advanced manufacturing tax base with high skilled high wage employment opportunities.”

With the county’s population expected to grow by nearly 100,000 over the next 10 years, according to the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Maynard said infrastructure issues are also a priority.

“I believe the county has a good plan in place for infrastructure improvements and continued smart growth,” he said. “Once the current road projects are completed, people will see improvement in mobility.  Expanding our public transportation should also be a key goal in the future.”

Infrastructure issues are also on the radar in Flagler County, where Economic Development Manager Tywan Arrington said maintaining the region’s amenities and quality of life are important goals.

“These include providing quality fundamental infrastructure and assets, protecting and managing natural resources and preserving and enhancing cultural, recreational and leisure activities,” he said, adding that development of a site readiness program for commercial and industrial development is key.

 Arrington said the county is implementing a strategic plan created in 2022 that is reviewed and updated annually and is focused on diversifying the county’s tax base and developing competitive advantages for new and existing businesses.

Jobs, diversification of the tax base and workforce development are issues St. Johns County Economic Development Director Christine Valliere said are important for future economic growth and are among the county’s key performance indicators.

“Those indicators include growth in high-quality jobs, expansion of the commercial and industrial tax base, private capital investment, business retention and expansion activity, workforce training outcomes and the county’s ability to attract and support industries that align with local strengths, including advanced manufacturing, aviation and aerospace, healthcare, logistics, agriculture and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Valliere said economic development is not just about growth for the sake of growth, but something sustainable that fits the needs of residents and businesses.

“The future of economic development in St. Johns County is not defined solely by how much the County grows, but by how well it grows,” she said. The next 10 years will require thoughtful coordination among economic development, land use, housing, transportation, education, utilities, and quality-of-place investments. St. Johns County enters this period from a position of strength: it has a highly educated population, strong household incomes, major employers, regional connectivity and a quality of life that continues to attract residents and investment.”

Growth is also top of mind for Volusia County Economic Development Director Lou Paris. But not just growth for the sake of growth.

“It’s not just about growth, it’s about the right kind of growth,” he said. “Our key performance indicators include high-wage job creation, capital investment, industry diversification and workforce alignment with in-demand sectors. As you probably know, economic development today goes beyond recruitment. It’s about building an ecosystem that sustains opportunity and competitiveness over time.”

Paris said the county’s growth strategy rests on three pillars: strategic recruitment, support for existing businesses and cultivation of entrepreneurs.

“The county targets industries where Volusia has a competitive advantage, which include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and technology-driven sectors,” Paris said. “Recruitment alone is not enough. Retention and expansion of existing employers are equally important, because when local companies succeed, the entire county benefits.”

On the infrastructure side, Paris said economic development efforts have to keep pace with the changing needs of businesses.

“Site readiness is critical,” he said. “Companies move quickly, and communities must have development-ready sites with utilities, zoning and transportation access already in place. Without that preparation, opportunities can be lost. Workforce infrastructure is equally important. This includes aligning education, technical training and industry needs, particularly in healthcare, manufacturing and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.”

Looking ahead, St. Johns County’s Valliere said while planning efforts are important, maintaining and expanding infrastructure will be a key issue in the next decade.

“Infrastructure will be one of the defining competitive issues of the next 10 years,” she said. “Roadway improvements remain critical, particularly along major growth and employment corridors, and continued progress on projects such as improvements to County Road 2209, State Road 16, and the First Coast Expressway will help improve mobility, unlock strategic development areas and support employers that depend on efficient regional access. Utility capacity and site readiness will also remain essential for business recruitment and expansion, especially in industrial and employment centers.”