A Path to the Future In under two decades, Deerfield Beach has transformed from a city that had no plan for economic development, to one with a comprehensive vision on the cusp of vast changes to build upon the city’s strengths. How did that happen? Dave Mirantz was the president of the board of the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce from 2013 to 2014 when it was brought to his attention that Deerfield Beach was the only city in Broward County without a formal economic development strategy or plan. The city had had a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) since 1999, which had been established utilizing tax increment revenue (TIR) to partner with the private sector. The CRA’s aim was to increase investment in the redevelopment area and upgrade infrastructure for the eastern end of the city. The CRA geographical area spans along Hillsboro Blvd. east of Federal highway. While the CRA has made numerous strides since it was developed, the city still had no formal economic development plan when Mirantz held his position of president of the board. Dave Mirantz Mirantz put together an Economic Development Task Force, which included some of the biggest companies in the city. They conducted research with other municipalities and put together proposals to launch an official plan. “The vote to approve the plan was 5-0 to proceed,” Mirantz recalled, adding that the city commissioners “understood the commitment.” The move was wise. For any city to compete economically it has to participate in Enterprise Florida, the state’s marketing arm for economic development. To do that, the city must involve itself with Enterprise Florida’s “power partners,” such
as the Fort Lauderdale Alliance, which was encouraged to see Deerfield Beach generating a long-term economic plan. To maintain the development plan long past the swearing in and departing of elected officials, an advisory board was formed. “The advisory board is a forum for community input other than the City Commission,” Mirantz said, emphasizing that the biggest commitment to an economic development plan “is in the strategy, and stewardship of the strategy. Most Dixie Hightway “flyover “bridge, Photo by Jeff Graves municipalities have an organization in place to be stewards of the plan – that way we bring the business community and elected HOW MUCH officials closer together.” WILL ALL For the chamber to be vibrant, he explained, “it needs THIS COST? to be an advocate to the business community, to create Answer: $370,000. The study stresses an economic development plan, and bring value to that the economic members.” development department A consultant team at the Florida International must have “sufficient University (FIU) Metropolitan Center was brought in professional capacity and to conduct a study on Deerfield Beach in order to make resources” to perform at recommendations for the economic development plan. the highest level, which The completed study, which was released in September, breaks down to $150,000 for the economic made a number of suggestions, including finalizing a development director’s Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threat (SWOT) salary; $80,000 for the summary analysis and developing an Economic economic development Development Council (EDC). Mirantz is working with coordinator, $40,000 current President of the Board Betty Masi to help carry for clerical support and out the suggestion made by the FIU study. Highlights $100,000 for marketing from this study are featured on page 34. The full study and promotional materials. can be found on the City of Deerfield Beach website.
EDUCATION An Important Layer
Indeed, the city’s planning brochure describes the city as “more than just a pretty beach,” but stresses that “for so long [Deerfield Beach] never had an economic development strategy,” and has “been in response mode.” Today, the city can tout “healthy and enviable” advanced industry clusters among its assets, said Mory, including highly valuable aerospace, pharmaceutical and research and development businesses that thrive along S.W. 10th St. and Military Trail. “What’s so exciting about these types of clusters is that they tend to grow and tend to offer high salaries and attract associated
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industries,” Mory stressed. For example, the presence of firms such as SHL Pharma, a part of the Swiss SHL Group — a high-tech maker of advanced drug delivery systems that expanded its manufacturing and R&D facility in Deerfield Beach in 2014 — demands the hiring of engineers, designers and associated suppliers. Aside from the newcomers, there are many existing businesses that help Deerfield Beach thrive. These include many that have expanded or are in the process of expanding, such as UPS, Publix Warehouse, Double Eagle Distributors, JM Family Enterprises and the Sun-Sentinel. Deerfield Beach!
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