Titusville council hears plan to re-establish local economic development organization, votes to add item to next agenda

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — City staff presented a plan on Nov. 13 for restoring a local economic development organization after the North Brevard Economic Development Zone was dissolved, outlining governance, program pillars and funding options and winning unanimous council approval to place the proposal on the next meeting’s agenda.

Nick, the city’s economic development director, told the council the recommended, phased approach emphasizes recruitment, workforce training, site readiness grants, small-business support and catalytic redevelopment. “When Titusville leads its own economic development efforts. We prosper,” he said, urging a governance structure that maintains council oversight while allowing the organization to act with businesslike responsiveness.

Staff proposed a seven-member oversight board, with each council member appointing one director and the council selecting two at-large members from chamber-submitted nominees; the city manager would appoint the executive director and the organization would be…