Volusia and Flagler counties are experiencing a significant growing spurt.
Tens of thousands of new houses are planned. Commercial and retail growth are also occurring. From Deltona to Palm Coast, from Ormond Beach to Port Orange to New Smyrna Beach, and certainly in Daytona Beach, the rapid economic development is unprecedented.
Such growth brings with it jobs and prosperity. But it also brings community challenges. How will we pay for necessary infrastructure improvements to handle more traffic? What steps can be taken to protect our fragile environment? What can be done to attract and train a growing workforce? As new neighborhoods sprout up on the edge of cities, what can be done to improve older neighborhoods such as Midtown and Daytona Beach's core beachside area?
What does "smart growth" look like?
To better explore those questions, The News-Journal is sponsoring a public community forum at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from 6:30-to-8 p.m. on Tuesday. The forum will be in the Gale Lemerand Auditorium, located inside the Willie Miller Center at 331 W. Aerospace Blvd.
A panel of experts will lead the discussion. They include: former Volusia County Councilwoman Pat Northey; Maryam Ghyabi of Ghyabi Consulting and Management; and John Albright, CEO of Consolidated-Tomoka Land Co.
Area residents are encouraged to attend and ask questions. Or, if you have a question to share in advance, send it to pat.rice@news-jrnl.com. The News-Journal will use the discussion to shape coverage of economic development through 2018 and beyond.
"Rapid growth is a good problem to have, but it also causes friction points," said Editor Pat Rice, who will moderate the event. "Our goal is to have a civil discussion that helps the newspaper provide better coverage of this critical issue. We greatly appreciate Embry-Riddle allowing us use of their facility, and we hope a lot of residents will come and join in the discussion."