HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-067RESOLUTION NO. 2018-067
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE CITY OF
VERO BEACH'S APPLICATION TO THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
FLORIDA JOB GROWTH GRANT FUND FOR PUBLIC
INFRASTRUCTURE FOR WIDENING OF AVIATION
BOULEVARD.
WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund within
Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to promote economic opportunity by improving
public infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Economic Opportunity and Enterprise Florida, Inc. have
responsibility of identifying projects to make funding recommendations to the Governor; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vero Beach has an infrastructure project that is designed and
can be completed in phases for the improvement of Aviation Boulevard from U.S. Highway 1 to
43`d Avenue which is a key east—west transportation corridor for the City of Vero Beach and
Indian River County to the airport as well as the hospital; and
WHEREAS, Aviation Boulevard is a'2 -lane non -divided urban minor arterial roadway
that connects to County, State, and Federal roadways which has not been widened to
accommodate increased traffic caused by an increase in economic activity around the airport and
the hospital; and
WHEREAS, Piper Aircraft, Inc., a manufacturer of small airplanes located at the airport
on Aviation Boulevard, has seen an increase of its workforce by approximately 25 percent during
the year 2017; and
WHEREAS, Elite Airlines, LLC has been serving the airport for 2 years with increased
employment and passenger traffic to the airport and had an increase in passenger traffic from
2016 to 2017 of 44%; and
WHEREAS, Walking Tree Brewery, LLC, a successful craft brewery, began operations
at the airport in 2016 bringing employment and increased customer traffic; and
WHEREAS, Oculina Banc, Corp, Inc. opened a branch near the airport in 2014; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vero Beach is in negotiations for a maintenance hangar lease
for an airline which would bring approximately 50 to 150 jobs to the airport; and
WHEREAS, a hotel is currently under construction along Aviation Boulevard which will
increase both employment and guest traffic; and
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-067
WHEREAS, the economic impact of the businesses in the airport district was found to
be over $468 million in 2015 by the Florida Department of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, Aviation Boulevard, as currently configured, is close to reaching a level of
service that could hinder the continued economic development gains made at the airport and
along the business district adjacent to the airport; and
WHEREAS, widening Aviation Boulevard would benefit the continued improvement of
the business environment which brings new business as well as allows existing businesses to
expand; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners believes the
widening of Aviation Boulevard would benefit the City of Vero Beach, Indian River County and
the region and would improve the economic development environment around the airport; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT:
Section 1. The above "WHEREAS" clauses are true and correct, and are hereby adopted
as findings of the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners.
Section 2. The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners hereby
supports the City of Vero Beach's application for the Florida Department of Economic
Opportunity Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for Public Infrastructure.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner Flescher , and
seconded by Commissioner Adams , and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as
follows:
Chairman Peter D. O'Bryan AYE
Vice Chairman Bob Solari AYE
Commissioner Susan Adams Y_
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher AYE
Commissioner Tim Zorc AVF
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and adopted this 17 day
of July, 2018.
ATTEST: Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of Court
and Comtroller
By:
Deputy Clerk
Approved as to form and legal suffici ncy:
By:
an Reingold, County Attorney
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: .��y �ptitMlgg�� F
Peter D. O' Bryan, Cigirman
•o9'`R�� R COUNr:�Ol: