- February 4, 2025
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Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher speaks during the last OB Life installment on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
The final OB Life installment drew about 34 people on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Cotton speaks during the last OB Life installment on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Economic development matters because it creates jobs, diversifies the economy and improves a city's quality of life, said Ormond Beach Economic Development Director Brian Rademacher at the the last OB Life workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
The final installment in the city's civic engagement series centered around Ormond Beach's business and industries. Aside from Rademacher, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Debbie Cotton and Robin King, president and CEO of CareerSource Flagler Volusia, also conducted presentations.
"The fact that you're here means that you have the opportunity to contribute, have your questions answered and your voices heard," said Mayor Bill Partington to the workshop's 34 attendees at the start.
Rademacher discussed the city's economic development strategy, which include business retention and expansion.
He highlighted the capital investments the city and businesses have made to draw high paying jobs to the area, such as tool manufacturer Skyo Industries, which invested $5 million and employs 35 people; Prime Global Group, which invested $2.9 million and also employs 35 people; and Super Petrel USA, which invested $300,000 and employs five.
Over the last five years, Rademacher said companies like these have invested $10 million and employed 275 people. On the expansion specturm, he mentioned Security First Insurance's $30 million investment in Ormond Crossings and Concentrated Aloe's $2.2 million investment.
"There's a reason why these companies are deciding to stay here, and there's a reason why these companies are choosing Ormond Beach as the location for their business," Rademacher said.
He said it's because Ormond Beach has a competitive advantage due to the city's business parks, municipal airport, available commercial sites and the active downtown and beach districts. These are assets the city should continue to invest in.
King's presentation during the workshop centered around comparing the demographics of the city to the county's and the state's. For example, she said Ormond Beach's median age is 52.6 years old — higher than Volusia's at 46.5 years old and the state's at 41.6.
Here are a few other demographic facts King shared:
Though all official OB Life workshops have been held, there will be a wrap-up meeting to discuss all of the findings from the program from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Calvary Christian Academy Kids Center, located at 1687 W. Granada Blvd.
