Clay Branding Study - Proposed New County Logo and a New County Seal

June 23, 2017     0    17

“I think you captured us perfectly,” said Commissioner Diane Hutchings. “You have nailed Clay County.” Commissioners suggested minor touchups to the logo prior to a final draft. The agency will appear again before the commissioners to propose its final brand on June 27. An implementation team made up of constitutional officers and department representatives have already met following the meeting. The team was tasked with finding approximate costs for the transition and where to place wayfinding signs. The group will soon finish an inventory of every county seal that would need to be replaced following the update, and will make recommendations to County Manager Stephanie Kopelousos. As currently designed, the logo and tagline – “Small cities. Big passions.” emphasizes the differences of the county’s various municipalities and communities, while taking in such aspects as waterways and nature. Ketchum said the design promotes exploration of the nooks and crannies in each municipality. “Clay can have a brand that lives throughout the county but we allow each of the small towns to preserve their own identity,” Ketchum said. Ketchum aimed to create ...

MHD Rockland Making Huge Investment in Clay

June 20, 2017     0    47

“It’s a significant investment and it’s tricky because we’re not operating on a high profit margin,” Falconer said. Falconer said the new subsidiary and its venture here into Clay County is an outgrowth of a training school the Keystone Heights Airport hosted last summer that was dubbed the Keystone Depot Project. It was held in conjunction with Lockheed Martin, which still manufactures the P3 in Marietta, Ga. and Rolls Royce, the plane’s Allison engine manufacturer, and Buffalo Airways, a Canadian air carrier. “That was very successful, so we’re going to expand upon that and we’re still going to continue to offer depot level training on the airframe. Depot level maintenance cycle is when we basically take the entire plane apart and inspect everything. Take all the inspection skin off the airplanes and then put it back together. It’s an FAA-mandated inspection cycle on the airplanes,” Falconer said. While Falconer would not disclose how much money MHD Rockland is investing, airport officials are excited about the future.  “It’s definitely a win-win all the way around,” said Maria Gall, airport office manager. She said not only ...

Business Leaders Get Glimpse of Florida's Aerospace Industry at Clay EDC Q2 Luncheon Presentation

June 16, 2017     0    99

“It’s a lengthy process, a multi-year process, that’s just beginning,” McGowan said, “so be patient.” McGowan touched on several steps that would have to happen before the airport comes to life, but his attitude indicated that a regional airport is something that Reynolds is actively pursuing. “I assure you that Frank DiBello and his Space Florida organization will be a vital part of determining what, if any, aviation or space-related activities will be developed there,” McGowan said. “Hopefully I’ll be back here someday explaining what those plans are.” Applause welcomed DiBello to the stage as he began his presentation on the future of private aerospace companies in Florida. DiBello was recently named Floridian of the Year by Florida Trend Magazine, an accomplishment touted at the lunch, but DiBello’s focus is not on personal achievement, but rather on progressing Florida’s aerospace industry into the future. Click here to view event PowerPoint presentations “This is probably the best time that Florida has had to grow its aerospace industry,” DiBello said. “The industry is looking to consolidate and they want to get out of high-tax regions and get ...

Few Details on Economic Development Fund

June 15, 2017     0    47

Workforce training grants will support programs at both state colleges and technical centers “that provide participants with transferable, sustainable workforce skills.” The bill states that the nonprofit CareerSource Florida Inc. will make sure those programs are appropriate for local areas. Candace Moody, vice president of communications for CareerSource of Northeast Florida, said Monday the regional office is still taking stock of the new program. “We just don’t know yet,” said Moody of the effects. “There are still a lot of rules that I’m sure are going to need to be finalized before we know.” CareerSource Northeast Florida is one of 24 regional nonprofit workforce training organizations in the state. It provides services for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties. Moody said that it helps “tens of thousands of people keep or gain employment” every year. Part of the bill requires CareerSource to focus its programs on the state and local targeted industries, which Moody said isn’t new for the organization since it works closely with JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development arm of the JAX Chamber, to develop training. Jacksonville-area economic ...

Clay Commission Discussing Rebranding County Image

June 6, 2017     0    165

 The Clay County Commission this month is expected to consider recommendations to showcase the county’s natural, historic and recreational resources as well as its communities to best attract tourism, new businesses and residents.  County Manger Stephanie Kopelousos said among possible potential changes: updating the county seal and installing new signs identifying each of the municipalites and unincorporated communities, “so we look like a cohesive county.” “Very different areas, but part of the same community,” she said of that facet of the branding effort. “I think our values make Clay County stand out. People want to live here because of the community atmosphere and I think that is what draws people here.” Kopelousos also said the emphasis on the county’s quality of life could include highlighting its natural resources including the St. Johns River and Black Creek, and walking/biking trails as destinations for recreation. The commission is likely to discuss the issue at its June 13 regular meeting, and possiblly follow-up at its June 27 one, she said. The goal, she said, is establish what Clay wants to be known for in the ...