By: Kate Kimmel
Nassau County officials are drafting a new economic development program aimed at helping small businesses expand, part of a broader effort to update the county’s economic development incentive structure and remain competitive with neighboring counties.
Assistant County Manager Marshall Eyerman announced the proposed RISE economic development program during the county’s winter strategic planning session. The program would use $200,000 previously budgeted for lifeguards after recent state legislation allowed tourism tax revenues to be used to fund lifeguard services.
Under the proposal, eligible businesses could receive grants of up to $20,000 to offset costs associated with impact fees, mobility fees and building permit fees that can make expansion difficult.
“We don’t want to have a barrier to expansion through fees,” County Manager Taco Pope said.
Pope said the program was designed with trade-based businesses in mind, such as electricians or contractors seeking to expand their operations. He offered the example of an electrician hoping to add 10,000 square feet to a warehouse but facing fees that could make the project financially unfeasible.
County staff said the program remains in the early stages of development and had only recently undergone its first legal review at the time of the meeting. If approved, it would launch as a three-year pilot program. County officials also plan to work closely with the Florida Economic Development Council while refining the initiative.
Several commissioners voiced support for the concept, saying the program could help local businesses grow. However, they said they would like clearer language defining which types of businesses would qualify for the grants before moving forward.
The proposed program was discussed as part of a broader effort to revise the county’s economic development incentives.
Pope said the county’s previous model for attracting businesses was no longer effective, and that officials are seeking to remain competitive with neighboring Clay and Duval Counties.
County commissioners approved significant changes to the county’s economic development grant ordinance Jan. 26.
The revised ordinance defines what qualifies as new investment, new jobs, small businesses and speculative industrial space. It also requires projects to be located within designated target development areas and to fall within approved target industries.
Economic Resources Manager Kathy Freyman said large technology-related industries are a key focus, particularly logistics and aviation.
Target development areas include major economic corridors where the county hopes to concentrate business growth, including the Timber to Tides corridor.
“We can focus those grants on the areas where we really want to see businesses, non-residential construction going forward in those areas to create jobs,” Eyerman said.
Another significant change to the ordinance requires projects to create both jobs and investment in the county. Previously, applicants could qualify by meeting only one of those benchmarks.
“With the new framework, essentially, the more you invest, the more you get back,” Eyerman said.
Large-scale projects that create at least 100 jobs and invest more than $100 million may qualify for alternative grant terms, though those agreements would require unanimous approval from the county commission. The Nassau County Economic Development Board will continue reviewing applications and making recommendations, but final approval will remain with the commission.
The updated framework also includes accountability measures intended to ensure businesses meet their commitments. Grants may be paid over a period of up to 10 years and will be tied to annual performance benchmarks, with recipients required to submit yearly reports demonstrating compliance.
County commissioners and staff said they hope the revised grant framework will help attract new businesses while making it easier for existing companies to remain and expand in Nassau County with fewer barriers.
County staff said the RISE program is still being refined and is expected to return to the commission as a formal proposal at a future meeting.
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