Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2015
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
The City of Cocoa’s Office of Economic Development has seen an exciting second quarter! Whether you’ve picked up the
paper, read an article online, or stay on top of social media, it’s likely that you’ve read about some exciting projects
coming to Cocoa. This is due to Cocoa’s improving economic climate, support of ambassadors in the form of property
owners, realtors, brokers, developers, and other businesses who are touting Cocoa, and the diligent efforts Community
Services staff striving to make Cocoa a desirable place to do business – all working together to brand Cocoa as a
wonderful community to live, work, and play.
WHAT’S NEW IN COCOA
New Businesses
In the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2015, Cocoa welcomed 13 new businesses to the community! For a list of new
businesses every month, visit www.cocoafl.org/cocoabusinesses.
PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS
The City of Cocoa welcomes Outdoor Images, Inc. located at 3175 Grissom Parkway. Outdoor Images offers design,
manufacturing, installation, and service of signage. The location on Grissom Parkway is a subsidiary to the parentcompany based in Columbus, Ohio. The company purchased the 10,200 square foot facility in addition to the adjacent
1.29 acres of vacant land with the intention of developing the property within the next year. Outdoor Images anticipates
private capital investment of approximately $5 million in property and equipment and plans to create approximately 8-10
new jobs in the first year.
Virginia-based Sugar Shack Donuts announced that they’ve chosen Cocoa Village as their newest location. Recognized on
USA Today’s ‘The tastiest doughnuts in the USA’ list, this gourmet donut shop expects to make their debut to the Village
in the summer. The first location announced outside of their home state of Virginia, Sugar Shack Donuts will be located at
307 Delannoy Avenue, across from the historic Travis Hardware store. While currently under construction, the project is
estimated to generate over $360,000 in private investment and result in approximately 10-15 new jobs to the Cocoa
Village.
The national retailer, Tractor Supply Company will open a new location at
Byrd Plaza, located on U.S. 1 and Dixon Boulevard. Tractor Supply will
occupy approximately 36,000 square feet of space in the plaza, offering
15,000+ SF of outdoor display and 21,000+ SF of in-store space.
Demolition of the south end-cap of the plaza is underway to accommodate
approximately $695,000 in improvements for the retailer with an
anticipated completion date of summer 2015. The Company plans to hire
between 5-7 full time and 5-7 part time employees. Tractor Supply is the
largest farm and ranch store chain in America and operates 1,100 stores in
44 states.
The national chain, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, located at 934 Dixon
Boulevard, will hold its Grand Opening celebration on Friday, April 3rd. This
is an all-day event. Established in 1989, Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a
Louisiana-inspired Cajun cuisine restaurant chain with over 1,700 locations nationwide.
Office of Economic Development | 65 Stone Street, Cocoa, FL 32922 | (321) 433-8525 | [email protected]
www.CocoaFL.org/EconDev
You’ll notice other changes such as the former Coco Vee Jewelry, now known as Bobbi’s at
Parkside, has relocated from their suite next to Myrt Tharpe Square to the newly renovated
Parkside Place, 4 Harrison Street. In addition, 625 Florida Avenue is undergoing improvements
by the new tenant, Parrot Cove Mall expected to open April 1. The Cocoa Community
Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved a façade grant for the Mall in the amount of $10,000
for renovations to the exterior. The former Citgo gas station on the southwest corner of
Michigan Boulevard and U.S. 1 will be retrofitted for a new Mobil gas station anticipated to
open in summer 2015. Additionally, you might have noticed that Chapparal Mexican Grill also
received an exterior face-lift. The Mexican cantina on U.S. 1 got a new stucco façade, fresh
coat of paint, and landscaping, among other upgrades.
PROJECT UPDATES
Parkside Place
If you haven’t checked out the newly renovated Parkside Place located at 4 Harrison Street, you are in for a treat!
Centennial Development Group has transformed this former building once occupied by Child Care of Brevard into Cocoa
Village’s newest hot spot. Currently
occupied by Village Cycle, Daddy Ultra
Run, Bobbi’s at Parkside, Village Idiot Pub,
and Parkside General Store, you can
expect to see the relocation of Ryan’s
Village Pizza & Pub to their new location
at the east end-cap of Parkside Place in
late April. The two-story restaurant will
offer a more robust menu and a breathtaking view of the Indian River and
Riverfront Park.
The Factory – Brownstones on Brevard
Signs are up on the vacant lot of the former City Hall site on the south-west corner of Factory Street and Brevard Avenue.
In a development agreement with White Challis Development Company Inc. and Sooner Investments, the Cocoa CRA
anticipates ground-breaking for six (6) brownstones and approximately 3,500 – 4,000 SF of retail to begin in August 2015.
Preliminary engineering and surveying has been completed on the property with site plan submittal anticipated in April.
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U.S. 1 Widening Project
If you’ve taken a drive down U.S. 1 in the last week, you’ll notice that Florida Department of Transportation has shifted
traffic to the newly constructed southbound lanes of North Cocoa Boulevard (U.S. 1). Northbound lanes will remain in
place while roadway work begins in the median area.
PROGRAM UPDATES
Monthly Business Spotlight
We strive to tell the story of our business community. With so many unique and growing businesses in our community,
we feel it’s imperative to get the word out about our amazing little City. In the second quarter, the Office of Economic
Development’s Business Spotlight featured Rev-Cut Mower, AGTeck, Inc., and Ryan’s Village Pizza & Pub. Read about
Cocoa’s spotlight businesses by visiting www.cocoafl.org/bizspotlight.
Cocoa Small Business Showcase
The City of Cocoa, in partnership with Cocoa Main Street, will host a Cocoa Small Business Showcase at the Cocoa Civic
Center, 430 Delannoy Avenue, on Wednesday, June 24 from 6-8 PM. The event will feature Cocoa businesses and is open
to the public. If you are a Cocoa business and you would like to participate in the Showcase, please contact Esmé
Doucette at (321) 433-8577 or [email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT QUARTER
The Office of Economic Development strives to bring relevant workshops to the business community to help you sustain
and grow your business. We want to hear from you! Let us know what workshops you’d like to see! For a complete list of
workshops, visit www.cocoafl.org/bizevents.
Traditional Marketing for Small Business
Josh Field of SCB Marketing
Council Chambers at Cocoa City Hall
Thursday, April 9 from 10 AM – 12 PM
2015 Export Basics (three-part seminar series)
Various speakers in the field of exporting
Cocoa Civic Center, Main Ballroom
Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18 from 9:30 AM – 12 PM
Business Continuity: Emergency Preparedness
Kimberly Prosser, Brevard County Emergency Management
Council Chambers at Cocoa City Hall
Wednesday, May 13 from 10 AM – 12 PM
Cocoa Small Business Showcase
City of Cocoa, in partnership with Cocoa Main Street
Cocoa Civic Center, Main Ballroom
Wednesday, June 24 from 6 PM – 8 PM
Preparing to Apply for a Loan
Vince LoPresti, U.S. Small Business Administration
Council Chambers at Cocoa City Hall
Thursday, June 25 from 10 AM – 12 PM
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STAFF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Susan McGrady elected to Florida Brownfields Association Board
In October 2014, the City’s Brownfields Coordinator, Susan McGrady, was elected to the Florida Brownfields Association
(FBA) Board. Susan has been a member of the FBA since 2008 and has worked tirelessly to secure brownfields grants for
the City, resulting in two grant awards in 2003, 2005, and 2009. Congratulations, Susan!
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Esmé Doucette named as Florida Today’s “One to Watch”
In the January 12, 2015, the City’s Economic Development Specialist, Esmé Doucette, was featured as “One to Watch” by
Florida Today. Esmé joined the City in May 2014 and in such a short time has made great contributions to the Office of
Economic Development, implementing and heading up the P.R.O. Business program, a business retention and expansion
program of the City. Check out the Florida Today article by visiting www.cocoafl.org/econdev.
The Office of Economic Development featured on the front page of Brevard Business News!
The City of Cocoa’s Office of Economic Development was featured in Brevard Business News in the March 16, 2015
weekly issue. The three-page spread touted the resurrection and efforts of the Office of Economic Development, which
was reinstituted in early 2014. New business, business expansion, and business inquiries in Cocoa have picked up
dramatically over the last couple of years, so it was no surprise when City officials agreed to expand the Division in terms
of staff and encourage the creation of more robust economic development programs. If you haven’t read the article, you
can find it at www.cocoafl.org/econdev.
CONTACT US:
Joan A. Junkala, CEG
Economic Development Manager
(321) 433-8525 | [email protected]
Esmé Doucette
Economic Development Specialist
(321) 433-8577 | [email protected]
Susan McGrady
CRA Program Manager
(321) 433-8510 | [email protected]
Monica Arsenault
Business Assistance Technician
(321) 433-8532 | [email protected]
Steven P. Belden, AICP
Community Services Director
(321) 433-8522 | [email protected]
Nancy Dresser
Deputy Community Services Director
(321) 433-8511 | [email protected]
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