Jacksonville an d NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Flagler County
Flagler’s
infrastructure ready
to accommodate
innovative advanced
manufacturing.
Marineland Dolphin Adventure
Adecade ago, Flagler County’s economy was heavily
dependent on residential construction for a growing
housing market.
But since the real estate recession of 2007-2008,
Flagler has turned around with a wide range of
industries setting up shop. The county formed a
Department of Economic Opportunity in 2011 to recruit
new businesses.
“We have actively pursued the diversity of the
economy,” says Helga van Eckert, executive director of
the department.
Flagler’s targeted industries include advanced manufacturing,
aviation, life sciences, high tech and agriculture.
Since the formation of the economic development
22 JACKSONVILLE AND NORTHEAST FLORIDA SPONSORED SECTION
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River to Sea
Preserve
Flagler
Executive
Airport
Crescent
Bunnell
Lake 1
FLAGLER
Palm
Coast
Flagler
Beach
Population 108,166
Labor Force 44,984
Total Households 43,679
Actively Pursuing a Diverse Economy
Per Capita Income $27,867
Retail Spending $840.0 mil.
St. Johns River
agency, Flagler has brought in companies such as
Designs for Health, a nutritional supplement business,
and information technology company Coastal Cloud.
Flagler has more options available for new businesses.
Officials are also hoping renovation and
expansion of the county-owned Flagler Executive
Airport will attract new aviation and non-aviation businesses
to the surrounding 130 acres of space.
The county’s growth is continuing with the
construction of a new spec building on U.S. 1 designed
for manufacturing and distribution businesses.
Flagler officials say the building fills a need in a
county with limited available industrial space and is a
signal of the changing economy in the area.
Hammock Dunes Resort in Palm Coast
Flagler Executive Airport
TERESANNE COSSETTA RUSSELL (MAP); PALM COAST OBSERVER (RIGHT)