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Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Element beaches and enhance tourism, the County has adopted a Beach Preservation Plan. That plan is used as a guide to make improvements to area beaches. These beach preservation activities have an overall beneficial effect on housing in the county. Along with preserving beaches, the County and other agencies such as the St. Johns River Water Management District have actively been preserving natural areas throughout the County. This large amount of preserved environmentally sensitive land is an economic development potential in that the preservation attracts tourists interested in nature and outdoor activities. Going forward, the County should continue to invest in preserving its natural areas and providing public access to those natural areas. Further, the County's tourism policies should focus on marketing the various amenities, particularly the ecotourism amenities, that exist within the County. Economic Characteristics Labor Force/Employment/Unemployment Trends Because the County does not have major industry clusters, it lacks a large supply of qualified labor for potential industries. With its labor force concentrated in service industries and agricultural industries, the county's employment levels are seasonal, rising in the winter and declining in the summer. This produces high unemployment rates during summer months. Seasonal employment also affects the ability of individuals to earn a year round salary. Because of the seasonality of employment within the County and because of the generally overall high unemployment, Indian River County should when possible, give preference to hiring people/companies who live in or have offices in the County or adjacent Counties. Generally, economic development incentives offered by the Board of County Commissioners have helped to retain existing industries and attract new industries that offer year round employment. These new and expanding industries have enhanced the local economy as well as improved employment opportunities for county residents. Wage Rates Overall, the County's wage rate is not a constraint. While Indian River County's wage rates are less than Brevard County's and Martin County's, they are higher than St. Lucie County's and Okeechobee County's. Although lower wage rates may create the perception that the county has a lower skilled or less educated labor force, higher wage rates may create the perception that the County is an expensive place to live and establish a business. In industrial relocation decisions, labor costs have become a significant factor. Along with the Community Development Department Indian River County 36