- December 20, 2024
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In a year marked by a global pandemic, Mayor Bill Partington said in a video address that "no statistics could ever reveal the unparalleled collaboration we have seen here in Ormond Beach."
“Even today, there are no easy answers as we all continue to navigate this new horizon together," the mayor said.
The video was played during Ormond's State of the City event held on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Oceanside Golf and Country Club. Attendance was limited to 100 people due to COVID-19, and tables were spread out to allow for social distancing. In the mayor's introduction of the event, provided to the Ormond Beach Observer by the city, Partington said he is honored to serve as mayor to a city that "has weathered many a storm and come out stronger on the other side." He said he was confident the community will ride out the COVID-19 storm together.
"I am so humbled by the efforts of the people in this room and in our community at large during this pandemic," Partington said. "We have all come together to support one another in ways we never imagined — whether it be sharing resources or completely changing business models to support the new needs of local residents and our nation. Ormond Beach continues to be a community of people who persevere, who hope, and who take care of one another."
The video address, which can be viewed online here, highlighted several local manufacturers whose products have played a role in the response for the coronavirus pandemic, including biocontainment lab manufacturer Germfree and medical device contract manufacturer Command Medical Products. The mayor also stated in the video that the county's small business grant program, in which the city assisted the county in reviewing and approving over 450 local applications, provided over $1.5 million in funding for Ormond businesses.
In his portion of the video address, City Commissioner Dwight Selby mentioned Ormond's expanding commercial tax base, as the city's taxable value for industrial and office property increased by $40 million, or 16%, in one year. He said businesses working on expansions or relocations invested over $44 million in land, buildings and machinery. These businesses created 400 new jobs, with a combined total of $7 million in payroll.
City Commissioner Troy Kent spoke about the upcoming projects at the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport, including the acceptance of a grant by the Federal Aviation Administration to fund the design and rehabilitation of Taxiway Delta. City Commissioner Rob Littleton spoke about the improvements coming to the North U.S. 1 corridor, such as a $3.6 million wastewater project to aid future growth in that area.
The last commissioner to speak in the video was Susan Persis, who highlighted new developments in the downtown district, like new restaurants and the opening of the floating dock at Cassen Park.
“The events of 2020 have truly taught us that community matters," Persis said. "Our community of businesses, organizations and residents continue to work together to make our downtown a welcoming place.”
