New Smyrna Beach Sunsets Economic Task Force

The sun has set on New Smyrna Beach’s Economic Development Task Force, but a reconstituted Economic Development Advisory Board is set to take its place. The Task Force was created by the City Commission in June 2022 to identify strategies and techniques to achieve the city’s economic development goals, with the terms of all members to expire Sept. 1 of this year.

Commissioners unanimously approved a measure formally sunsetting the Task Force and a second item reinstating the Advisory Board at a meeting in late August.

“They’ve been doing a fantastic job, a great group of very professional people,” said New Smyrna Beach Economic Development Director Samantha Bergeron. “Some of their focuses included workforce development, infrastructure, business climate and development regulations and commercial/industrial real estate development.”

Bergeron said the city has “some very broad-range projects” in the works, including updates to the CRA plan, the comprehensive plan and the economic development strategic plan. The Economic Development Advisory Board will play a role in those efforts.

“As we go forward, I would like to add some more items onto the program of work,” she said. “I feel very strongly that business retention and expansion is very important to us.”

Bergeron said the city does a great job recruiting new business development, but working with existing businesses is also important.

“Where I would like to evolve into and do a better job of is better understanding what our local businesses need, what are the challenges they face and what ways the city can help them be successful,” she said.

Bergeron anticipates the new advisory board would roll out in early 2026 “with a fresh, shiny new look, new program of work and new bylaws.”

Commissioner Lisa Martin asked about the qualifications for membership on the advisory board, saying she preferred only New Smyrna Beach residents be eligible, eliminating people who own a business in the city but do not live in the city.

“I would like the members to have both feet in town because I think we have enough New Smyrna business owners across the board that we should be able to have a rich board that includes people who are New Smyrna residents and own businesses,” she said.

Commissioner Valli Perrine recalled her experience on city advisory boards and said at times board members did not feel they received feedback from elected officials.

“I really like the direction you’re going with this,” she told Bergeron. “I want to do a better job of listening to these boards that volunteer their time.”

Commissioner Jason McGuirk said while he “would love” that board members all be business owners in the city, “I don’t know if that is very realistic.”

Mayor Fred Cleveland praised Bergeron’s work, calling her a “spark plug” for economic development.

“I have the utmost confidence and faith in your abilities,” he said. “When you get results or don’t get results, you need to tell us so we can react and move quickly.”