Public comment and partner testimony at the Dec. 1 Delray Beach workshop reinforced staff recommendations that marketing, real‑estate readiness and process reform must accompany any incentive strategy.

John Jasper, a 26‑year commercial real‑estate broker with CBRE, told the commission downtown brokers are hearing persistent interest from firms in New York and Connecticut but that prospects often sign leases elsewhere because they find Class A office space and active recruitment in neighboring cities. "We need to start advertising...start targeting these c level people to try to tell them that Delray is a viable option," Jasper said.

Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, advised commissioners to align city incentives with county and state targeted industries and to make the permitting process a top operational priority. She characterized incentives as useful but not usually decisive: "Incentives are important. It's the icing on the cake. It doesn't make or break a deal," Smallridge said, adding that expedited permitting and available Class A real estate often determine whether a deal lands.

CRA and DDA leaders emphasized land acquisition, protection of commercial parcels and the need to modernize incentive tools. Commissioners asked staff to compile an up‑to‑date property inventory, consider whether a voter referendum is needed to reauthorize a citywide abatement (a prior 10‑year program has expired), and report back with concrete ordinance and budget recommendations in January. No formal actions were taken during the workshop.