Indian River gets input from businesses on enterprise proposal

By Keona Gardner staff writer
May 5, 2005

VERO BEACH — After receiving community feedback on a state program that helps poor economic areas, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce officials decided to get input from business owners as well.

About 20 business owners or representatives from the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and Gifford areas attended a Keith Drake, director of operations at Paris Air Inc., said he attended the meeting because he's "interested in how to find people who are interested in being hired."

The designation would give state tax breaks to new businesses relocating to the area and to existing businesses for expansion if they hire residents who live in the zone.

Also, homeowners and employers could receive a state sales tax refund for building materials used to repair properties in the zone.

The proposed area is bounded by U.S. 1 to the east, Aviation Boulevard to the south, 58th Avenue to the west and 49th Street to the north.

Long time Gifford business owners Essie and Tommy Turner called the proposed zone "worthwhile" and "much needed."

"Worthwhile because of the sales-tax reimbursement and, hopefully, it will improve our community," said Essie Turner.

The area's unemployment rate fluctuates between 10 percent and 55 percent, and about 30 percent of the 4,700 residents earn less than the county's median income of $28,500, said Helene Caseltine, the chamber's development director, who is spearheading the project.

The bill creating the zone passed the state House of Representatives Tuesday and could be voted on by the state Senate by Friday, Caseltine said.