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Oakland Park CRA reports new businesses, job growth and upcoming events
Summary
The city’s CRA director told the redevelopment board about new businesses moving into the city, 45 new jobs tied to two food-and-beverage openings, increased business outreach and a calendar of events intended to attract visitors to downtown Oakland Park.
Nessa Herrera, the City’s CRA and economic development director, gave an update Feb. 19 on recent business activity and outreach in Oakland Park’s redevelopment area.
Herrera said the CRA has welcomed several new businesses — including IMC Roofing, MJR Finishes Corp, Good Electricians and IntaTech — and that two food-and-beverage openings (Red Sea restaurant and Voodoo Brewery) are expected to create about 45 new jobs. The Red Sea restaurant was scheduled to mark its grand opening “this Saturday at 5 p.m.,” and Voodoo Brewery planned a March 15 opening, Herrera said.
The CRA director reviewed outreach efforts: property-availability mapping, business visitations that connect owners to workforce and training partners (CareerSource, OIC of South Florida, the Urban League), and promotion of a VIP grant program for eligible properties. Herrera said 12 properties received notice-of-violation letters in February and that eight of those came into compliance before hearings.
Herrera also highlighted upcoming community events aimed at driving foot traffic: Taste of Oakland Park (tickets on sale, 585 sold at the time of the presentation), SoulFest, ArtWalk and Dancing in the Streets. The CRA plans to exhibit at the Broward and Beyond business conference on May 9 to recruit new businesses, she said.
Commissioners and board members praised the CRA’s outreach and said they would continue efforts to attract investment to the West Side, where speakers earlier in the meeting said more work is needed.
Ending: The CRA said it will continue business visitations, promote training programs, and coordinate special events to support local businesses and recruit new tenants to underused properties.
