Flagler County economic staff brief commissioners on fiber grant, site-mapping tool and development projects

Executive Director Helga reported to the Flagler County economic development board on Sept. 17 on multiple projects, including a proposed USDA broadband grant application for the west side of the county, a new interactive properties database for recruitment, and progress on two business-recruitment projects.

Nut graf: County staff presented projects intended to improve infrastructure and recruitment tools: a Mission Fiber Flagler West grant application being coordinated with Commissioner Mullins and USDA representatives; an interactive map and property database to present sites to prospective employers and grantors; and active recruitment files including "Project Columbus" and a medical facility labeled "Project Alice."

Helga said she has worked with Commissioner Mullins on the Mission Fiber Flagler West USDA grant application and that available federal awards could support rural connectivity west of U.S. 1: "First grant, I think, is possible as 3,000,000, then there are other grants for 25,000,000," she said. She said the…