MILT THOMAS

Sparks flew at Tuesday’s County Commission meeting when Commissioner Tim Zorc requested budgeting for an economic development program apparently already in place by the county’s authorized economic development agency.

Zorc asked for a special fund to provide “unique welcome branding” to prospective companies interested in relocating or moving to Indian River County. It would be up to $5,000 per company and no more than $10,000 for the fiscal year and would demonstrate, according to Zorc, that “all five county commissioners” would add their welcome to companies beyond the normal economic development efforts through the Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Division. This new budget item would be used as a “Means of showing how we, the County Commission, appreciate their coming here.”

He talked of  small touches like banners, signs, even a welcome sign at the county line. He told of visiting a company once that had a parking space with his name on it. “I want to roll out the red carpet.”

He was enthusiastically supported by Commissioner Wesley Davis, who immediately made a motion to approve Zorc’s idea.

But the more immediate questions were why the proposal lacked any specifics about how this $10,000 would be used and more importantly, why was Zorc proposing something within the scope of responsibility for the county’s Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Division?

As to the idea of a public welcome to prospective companies, Chamber of Commerce President Penny Chandler explained that prospective company representatives and site selectors often do not want any public recognition associated with their visits. (A basic requirement in the business of economic development across the state and country is confidentiality.) Also, Chandler said the ideas Zorc proposed were already in place as part of the Chamber’s economic development budget.

Commission Chairman, Joe Flescher asked Zorc if he had discussed this idea with the Economic Development Council or the Chamber, which implements the county’s economic development efforts. Zorc said he had not. When Chandler was asked how she found out about Zorc’s proposal, Chandler answered, “When I read today’s agenda.”

In defense of Zorc, Commissioner Davis asked Chandler why she didn’t call to ask about the item. After the meeting, Chandler said, “The Chamber and county officials have always worked closely on economic development. If a commissioner or staff member wanted our support for a proposal they would let us know ahead of time and we are always there for them. We had no communication from Zorc about this idea.”

Zorc says he did not discuss it with the Chamber’s Economic Development Director, Helene Caseltine, because “she already has so much on her plate that he did not want to burden her further.”

He also  felt there was only so much a one person department could do. Chandler responded by saying everyone on the Chamber staff participates in a support role with economic development even though the county is only financially responsible for part of Caseltine’s salary. Also, many business members of the Chamber also volunteer when needed with a prospect or in a support program when appropriate.

Commissioner Bob Solari told Zorc, “We have an Economic Development Council where (this idea) should go first.”

Zorc then expressed his frustration working with the EDC, where he is the Commission’s liaison. Zorc said all his suggestions for improving the economic development process have been ignored and felt he needed to present this directly in a commission meeting. He also said this new budget idea came up since the last EDC meeting when he met with a prospective company along with Caseltine and county department heads and he felt it needed to be acted on as soon as possible before that prospect returned.

Commissioner Davis continued to support Zorc’s idea, but with no other Commission support, Zorc withdrew his request, promising to come back to next week’s meeting with a firm plan and more details about his idea. Chandler offered to have Caseltine contact Zorc immediately after the meeting to help him with his proposal.