Delray Commissioners funds chamber of commerce economic development effort

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Delray Beach City Commissioners have informally agreed to fund a $30,000 economic development initiative that includes a new web site and ads in major statewide and national business magazines.

The Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce brought the proposal to the city and will oversee the effort.

Yet to be decided: How and when the chamber will receive the money.

The centerpiece of the effort will be a web site called businessdelray.org. The chamber also will advertise the advantages of doing business in the city in Florida Trend and Site Selection magazines. The idea is to get the attention of business owners outside the region who might be considering a move to Florida and sell them on the idea of moving to Delray Beach.

“We cannot depend on restaurants and tourism. We can’t take the downtown success for granted,” said Commissioner Gary Eliopoulos. “The restaurants are doing great. There’s a hustle and bustle downtown. What we don’t have and never have had is industry to support it.” 

Said Mayor Woodie McDuffie, “We need to find a better mix of business. I’m willing to take a run at this.”

Commissioner Angeleta Gray opposed the move, citing budget cuts in other areas and other economic development initiatives that seem to duplicate the chamber’s proposal.