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Title:
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AR-2025-0397: Discussion and review of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
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ITEM DESCRIPTION:
Title
AR-2025-0397: Discussion and review of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
Body
DEPARTMENT:
Economic Development
SUMMARY:
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy was first adopted in 2010 and underwent a significant revision in 2015. At the November 1, 2021 City Council meeting, the City Manager reported that Mari Rains with UCF was no longer in the position to lead the City's Strategic Plan Update as originally contracted for $14,500 which was approved at the March 1, 2021 City Council meeting. $30,000 was approved to update the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) and $30,000 was approved to update the Edgewater CRA Plan. Staff negotiated with Canin Associates to update all three: Strategic Plan, CEDS and CRA Plan for $74,500. There will be visioning outreach including a public community meeting to provide feedback on the existing conditions and future direction of the City with a focus on land development, community spaces and infrastructure. Canin Associates is one of the Planning Consultant Services contract awardees from RFQ-21-DS-12 approved by City Council August 2, 2021. Canin Associates merged with Kimley Horn and Associates in 2023. Kimley Horn has completed the CEDS update which is attached with the 2015 version.
The purpose of the revision in 2025 is to update the document to include the status of achieving each goal within the plan. City staff worked closely with Kimley Horn and Associates to edit the document in 2024. A few notable goals that staff added are included below:
Based upon the feedback received from the comprehensive plan community workshops, City staff would recommend the elimination of Policy 2.1.10, 2.1.13, 2.1.14. Staff believe the other policies proposed align with the vision for the community.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy within Objective 1.1 identify' s desire businesses and target industries. These industries were to examined in the Kimley Horn update; however, staff believe some alterations should be made. The CEDS identify the following industries that the City should target:
1. Boat Building and Marine Equipment, Supplies, and Services
2. Recreational Equipment, Supplies, and Services
3. Commercial and Industrial Products and Services
4. Green Industries and Technologies
5. Entertainment, Recreation, and Leisure Services
6. Aviation and Aerospace Equipment, Supplies, Service, Supplies and Technologies.
City staff would like to edit the text within target industry number three, Recreational Equipment, Supplies, and Services. Below are the current markups for target industry number three:
City staff would like to add a few sentences to this industry providing language regarding activating the trail system in the City of Edgewater. The State of Florida built the River to Sea trail through Edgewater. The trail is a significant asset to our community. City staff believe that the public, at least those who attended the Comprehensive Plan workshops want to activate the trail system. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has a Trail Town Designation that the City should work towards. In addition, the FDEP report on trail towns states:
Studies show that the longer a trail is, the farther people will travel to visit it, the longer they will stay, and the more money they will spend. A day-user will spend four times the amount of a local user, and is likely to make a return trip to the Trail Town. An overnight visitor will spend twice the amount of a day-user.
The City of Edgewater is not currently designated a trail town, yet we have the St. Johns River-to-Sea Loop. Between Titusville and Vilano Beach, there is no trail town.
Potential adjacent uses to the trail that staff believe should be targeted include:
* Restaurants/Dining
* Lodging
* Active Recreation Uses
* Bike related (water containers, bikes, clothing, accessories)
* Agritourism
During the Comprehensive Plan workshops, City st