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State lawmaker urges Lighthouse Point to plan a US‑1 corridor strategy to attract businesses
Summary
State Representative Chip LaMarca urged the Lighthouse Point Economic Development Committee to craft a corridor-focused economic plan, pointing to regional grant programs and local assets as levers to attract retail and mixed-use investment.
State Representative Chip LaMarca told the Lighthouse Point Economic Development Committee that the city should develop a coordinated plan for its US‑1 corridor to make the most of limited land and waterfront assets.
LaMarca, who said the city is "2.5 square miles," urged the committee to think beyond individual retail parcels and consider a larger, multi‑use vision that pairs business recruitment with infrastructure improvements. "What's the best way to do this? You know, how do we entice a business to come to where we ultimately added Gordon Food Services," he said. He also highlighted regional economic organizations such as the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and suggested Lighthouse Point explore municipal engagement with those groups.
Why it matters: committee members are preparing recommendations for city council and the committee’s business survey will feed public preferences into any corridor strategy. LaMarca noted state funding sources that can help pay for site work, stormwater or utility extensions and urged local officials to prepare specific project requests so they are ready to apply for grants.
LaMarca cited a practical marketing idea already discussed by the group: a distinct ZIP code to give site selectors clearer demographic data for the city. "They start with your zip code," he said, arguing a separate code can help retailers evaluate Lighthouse Point's consumer profile.
The representative also estimated state and regional support flowing to small municipal projects, saying the city had pursued roughly "$3.2 or $3,300,000 for projects" including stormwater and other improvements. Committee members asked staff to follow up on Alliance membership options and to include the representative's suggestions in the EDC's January recommendations to council.
The committee did not adopt any ordinance or formal funding request at the meeting; LaMarca offered to help set up follow‑up conversations with state commerce officials and to connect staff with grant resources.
