PALM COAST, Fla. – Continuing a longstanding and healthy relationship between the Florida Inland Navigational District and the citizens of Flagler County, guests gathered on Thursday, April 18 at the Palm Coast Community Center for the annual reception.
The event was hosted by FIND Commissioner (retired) U.S. Navy Captain Randy Stapleford, who has represented the area since the passing of Flagler’s previous representative, Jon Netts.
Working closely with Flagler’s local governments, Stapleford has helped usher in project dollars to support public amenities and improvements such as the Pal Parker Park in Flagler Beach, and the Waterfront Park improvements.
Sharing prepared remarks, Florida Inland Navigational District Executive Director Janet Zimmerman talked recreation, users, and most important to elected official’s ears, economic impact.
“In 2022, the number of registered vessels in Flagler County was almost 7,000. And that doesn’t count the kayakers and stand-up paddle boarder crowd,” said Zimmerman.
“The ICW generates $335 million annually in total economic impact of that, $87 million comes from tourism spending annually from almost 46,000 visitors and additional $50 million comes from local boaters. Flagler County waterways currently support over 1,940 jobs countywide,” she said.
“Since 1988 the district provided $3.8 million in waterway assistance program funding, to 37 projects in Flagler having a total constructed value of approximately $9.2 million,” Zimmerman added, noting projects such as Bings Landing, the Marineland Marina, and Flagship Harbor Preserve.
Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin expressed his gratitude for FIND’s support and is looking forward to the continued partnership.
“This reinforces the collaborative effort that FIND and Flagler County have,” said Alfin.
“We have really worked together very well. But you have to give kudos to Captain, retired, Randy Stapleford. He has really provided the mojo to make sure that we get every dollar we can reinvested into Flagler County. If you heard the numbers, the investment is incredible.”
With plenty of work in the area on the upcoming schedule, Jacksonville District’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Col. James Booth attended the event to meet with the public.
“One of our biggest engagements with the community is going to be as we’re here at the Florida Inland Navigation District’s meeting is staying tied in with FIND and making sure that the Intracoastal Waterway not only just in Flagler County but throughout the entire reach of Florida is maintained so they can sustain the navigational interests that it’s handled for many, many decades,” said Booth.
“But also moving into the future, which we’re really happy is that we’re getting towards near awarding a contract for some beach renourishment projects that have been held up for quite a while. Really excited about being super close to getting that contract awarded and being able to move into construction over the next year.”
During the reception, Amanda Thorpe, representing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis presented Stapleford with a copy of his book “Dreams From Our Founding Fathers”, and Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly thanked Stapleford and FIND for their support of the agency’s marine unit with funding for new equipment.
