City staff briefed the Palm Bay City Council on a package of economic development options and sought direction on programs including a site-readiness incentive, sponsorship of the WeVenture Ignite 360 small-business mentoring program, tax abatement authority, and possible staff increases.

Deputy City Manager Joanie Jankala Brown and the city’s new economic development director described the proposal as a menu of tools staff could pursue to attract commercial and industrial projects. The plan included: a site-readiness program to prepare pads and infrastructure for commercial/industrial users; sponsorship for Palm Bay businesses to participate in WeVenture’s Ignite 360 mentoring program (funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration); incentives tied to ad valorem tax abatements; and targeted marketing and trade-show outreach.

Council members generally supported site readiness and recruitment strategies, emphasizing utility and roadway infrastructure as prerequisites. Several council members said they were open to targeted incentives such as tax abatements, but several members — including Councilman Langevin — said they did not want to create new full-time economic development positions until a permanent city manager is hired and briefed on staffing needs. Councilman Johnson said he favored the programs but urged caution on adding staff immediately. Deputy Mayor Jaffe said he viewed the site-readiness program as “critical” and suggested stronger funding or public–private partnerships to make larger projects feasible.

Councilman Langevin and others asked staff to provide metrics and past program performance, including how many Palm Bay businesses had used similar programs and the results. Staff said they would supply historical participation numbers for WeVenture and related programs and continue work on site-readiness and marketing strategies while deferring immediate hiring until the council provided further direction after onboarding a full-time city manager.

The discussion concluded without a formal vote; staff were asked to return with refined options, participation metrics and implementation plans.