2 min read March 2023 — Hunter Conrad, county administrator for St. Johns County, talked to Invest: about the area’s recent growth. Infrastructure improvement is a huge priority this year as well as economic development. As St. Johns County takes on more residential growth, it’s crucial that commercial development expands to generate high-wage jobs in the area and increase the tax base.
What are some key highlights for the county and where do you see those priorities lining up in the near term?
Last year was great for St. Johns County and we are looking forward to a similar trajectory this year. Infrastructure improvement was one of our top priorities last year and will remain so moving forward. We expanded a number of roads and completed several drainage improvement projects after experiencing significant residential flooding. We have considerable opportunities this year as we look to improve the major corridors on our transportation network. Two major projects breaking ground include County Road 210 widening from Greenbrier to Cimarrone, and construction of CR 2209 from SR 16 to IGP. We also redesigned and improved our public golf course, clubhouse, and cart barn in 2022.
How is St. Johns looking to manage growth responsibly while ensuring residents maintain the quality of life they are accustomed to?
We are fortunate to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the country and in the state of Florida, however, this comes with many challenges. Our county and city governments are specifically looking to ensure there is smart growth. We are reprioritizing some of our infrastructure and transportation projects to meet the needs of rapid expansion in our community.
We are also expanding the outdoor amenities available to our residents, including boat ramps and parks. For example, the county purchased property on the Intracoastal near S.R. 312 this past year to provide our residents with additional waterway access in the future.
How is the topic of environmental concern weaving its way into conversations about expansion?
Rapid expansion in our area has afforded us the opportunity to protect our natural resources and expand green space within our county. Over 1,109 acres of conservation land were acquired through development review applications last year alone. Additionally, our board implemented a Land Acquisition and Management Program (LAMP) a couple of years ago. LAMP sets aside funding each year to acquire land for conservation and to provide passive recreational opportunities.
What are some characteristics of St. Johns that make it a unique place to live and do business?
St. Johns County is a family-friendly community. If people are looking for a place where their family can thrive, we are the best choice. St. Johns County provides residents with an exceptional quality of life with great schools and low crime. We also enjoy 42 miles of coastline, the Intracoastal Waterway, the St. Johns River, historic sites and much more.
Businesses enjoy our low overall tax structure, comprehensive transportation network, and highly educated workforce. In fact, Ponte Vedra was recently reported as the top spot on the East Coast to open a corporate headquarters. Needless to say, there are more than a few characteristics attracting residents and businesses to our community.
Are there particular industries or sectors you are looking to develop further?
St. Johns County targets industries that provide high-wage jobs for our residents and those that align with our existing industries and businesses. Such target industries include corporate headquarters, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace/aviation.
Healthcare is an industry that is rapidly expanding in our county. This is common among growing communities, especially those with an aging population. In addition to several rehabilitation facilities, we’ve recently had a new hospital come online and have plans for other healthcare facilities in the near future.
We also want to ensure we are providing opportunities for new and emerging industries, such as the agricultural, industrial, and manufacturing sectors. We are in the process of developing a countywide strategic master plan for economic development that will help us in these efforts. We’ve brought a consultant on board who will study local trends and advise us on what we should be preparing for in the future based on our demographics and industry composition.
Do you have any partnerships with the wider communities on the business side that you feel are worth highlighting?
We have a great partnership with the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce. We partner with the Chamber as they remain immersed in our business community. For our economic development efforts, we also work closely with JAXUSA Partnership, the regional economic development organization, and Enterprise Florida, the state economic development organization. We have a strong partnership with the Small Business Development Center, as well, which offers free consulting services for our small businesses here in St. Johns County.
What does 2023 and beyond hold for St. Johns County?
There are a lot of exciting things going on in our community. We’ve got a new library, park, and fire station coming in the next 18 months. We’ve also planned several significant transportation corridor improvements. Additionally, the countywide strategic master plan for economic development will allow us to take a targeted approach to economic growth in our community. We are confident that these projects will improve the lives of our residents and further enhance our community.
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