Board recommends $50,000 outreach budget and hears multiple business‑attraction updates

Economic development director Weathers updated board members on several business‑attraction items and the board recommended a $50,000 annual outreach allocation to support marketing, site‑selector visits and retention work.

Weathers said an Amazon facility near MLK is expected to start construction this year with the site moving through 2025–26 and a potential opening around 2027. He also reported that developer Mark Samples has acquired about five acres on MLK and plans a roughly 50,000‑square‑foot medical office project.

On film and creative‑industry activity, staff said the city joined Film Florida and already had a lead for a DeWalt commercial; staff also discussed interest from a studio exploring an AI film studio downtown. Weathers said film‑office staff will follow up with local contractors as shoots are planned.

The board debated a budget for outreach and business attraction. One member proposed, and a colleague rephrased, recommending "a budget expenditure on a yearly basis for $50,000 for new business acquisitions, outreach, promotion and retention." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; staff agreed to draft a brief memo outlining proposed uses and placeholders for the $50,000 allocation.

Board members argued the funds could be used to host site selectors, invite reporters and support targeted marketing trips — all intended to increase the city's visibility to employers and site‑selection consultants. Weathers said he would circulate a short memorandum with suggested allocations and examples of how the money could be used.