Volusia council approved county takeover of business incubator; officials cite broader services and airport parcels as development priority

Lou Paris reported to the Volusia County Economic Development Committee that the county council approved a proposal to assume management of the Volusia County Business Incubator. "Last night, we, all the county council approved a proposal that we had put forth to take on the management of the, Volusia County, business incubator," Paris said. He described the change as intended to expand services beyond technology startups to a wider range of small businesses, including trade‑oriented firms such as plumbers and electricians. "We're thinking of any kind of business where, you know, plumber, electrician who wants to see their business grow," Paris said.

Paris told committee members the existing physical incubator site and on‑site manager will remain in place. "The physical space is not going away anytime soon, and we have already, made arrangements to bring in board, the current site manager, Connie, Gerson," he said. Paris said the county's approach will put more emphasis on education and connecting entrepreneurs to regional business resources.

Paris also updated the committee on land around the airport the county is targeting for industrial development. He said Parcel 62 has been identified for Aura Aero and that Parcels 66 and 54 are candidates for further preparation to be "shovel ready." "Parcel 62, which is what has been identified for Aura Aero, is something that we're we all have almost ready. We did that through a grant, EDA grant," he said. Paris noted FAA constraints on airport‑adjacent properties and said the county is prioritizing aerospace and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) businesses for those sites. "Because they're adjacent to the airport, the FAA has a saying as to what goes there. So these are really aerospace, aviation kind of kinds of businesses," Paris said.

Discussion: Committee members asked about architect involvement, site readiness, and the consent‑agenda approval at the county council meeting. Paris said the council approved the consent agenda and the public discussion at the county meeting focused on architects and whether multiple firms would be engaged for site work.

Direction: Paris said the county will continue work to ready parcels for aerospace and industrial uses and will integrate the incubator into a broader outreach and education model connecting entrepreneurs to existing resources.

Outcome: County council approved the change in management of the business incubator (action reported by Paris at the committee meeting). No action by the Economic Development Committee itself was recorded.

Ending: Paris said the county expects continued collaboration with regional partners as it implements the incubator transition and advances site‑readiness work for Parcels 62, 66 and 54.