ORANGE PARK-The Clay Builders Council met, Wednesday, Sept. 2, for its first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the group to communicate virtually.

Social distancing and CDC guidelines were followed closely.  The meeting was opened by Joe Wiggins, Chairman and the pledge of allegiance lead by newly sworn-in Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook. 

JJ Harris spoke on Clay County’s focus on growth and the importance of alignment on smart growth and overall infrastructure was a key area of importance as our county grows.  Harris thanked attendees, Kat Cammack and newly-elected Clay County Board of Commissioners Jim Renninger and Betsy Condon for their help with assistance and coordination of foreign investors, mixed use development opportunities and the exciting growth of the Keystone airport.

Open discussion with the County staff and builders was welcomed and looked at as a strong growing relationship. Harris spoke on growth of Orange Park Medical Center and upcoming construction of Baptist Clay Campus is Fleming Island as major investments that are helping with our local economic growth.

Harris said, “we are seeing a half-a-billion in growth in existing and planned projects in Clay County Florida, our economy is strong and showing no signs of weakening at this time.”

President of NEFBA, Bill Garrison closed the meeting and thanked all for their participation.  For more information on the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA), reach them at 904-725-4355 or go to www.nefba.com.

Added to the surge for the builders, economic development in Clay County continued to be a prominent topic for county growth.  The International Economic Development Council recently announced the Clay County Economic Development Corporation has been recognized as one of 69 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization.

“Clay County Economic Development Corporation displays the professionalism, commitment, and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor,” said IEDC President and CEO Jeff Finkle. 

The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession.  The program consists of two phases: a documentation review and an onsite visit.  Each phase is designed to evaluate  information about the structure, organization, funding, programs, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.