New board begins work in neighboring New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach has officially launched a new Economic Development Advisory Board, and the group held its first meeting on April 21. While the board is focused on New Smyrna Beach, the move is still worth watching in Edgewater because the two cities share workforce, business, and transportation ties along the U.S. 1, State Road 44, and I-95 corridors.

The new board replaces the city’s former Economic Development Task Force. According to the report, it will function in a way similar to the Planning and Zoning Board, but with a narrower mission centered on properties designated for commercial and industrial development. Its role includes making recommendations to the city commission and helping promote New Smyrna Beach as a place for business investment.

What the board can and cannot do

The article says the board has clear limits. It cannot make binding agreements on behalf of the city, and it also cannot spend money without prior approval from the city commission. That means its influence will come through recommendations, planning discussions, and public-facing economic development efforts rather than direct executive power.

Board members named in the report are Aaron C. Denys of Berlin & Denys Insurance, Cristal Dongilli of the Bowman Center, AdventHealth executive Joshua Champion, Diamond S Holdings owner Selby Sullivan Jr., and TAKT Manufacturing Solutions president Jessica Wilber. Sullivan was elected the board’s first chair, while Wilber was chosen as vice chair.

Why Edgewater readers may care

For Edgewater residents, the significance is practical. Economic development decisions in New Smyrna Beach can affect the broader South Volusia area, especially when it comes to jobs, commercial growth, tax base diversification, and regional business recruitment. Many residents commute between the two cities, and new industrial or commercial activity nearby can influence traffic patterns, employment options, and future development pressure.

The report also notes comments from former task force chair John Joaquin, who said the city is at a crossroads and emphasized goals such as bringing in high-wage jobs and diversifying the tax base. He also referenced the Florida Space Innovation Center initiative, which aims to position the community to benefit from growth in the commercial space industry. That regional angle could matter to Edgewater as South Volusia continues to compete for investment tied to aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

What comes next

The board is expected to hold a special meeting on a date still to be determined before its next regular meeting on July 28. For Edgewater readers, this is not an emergency or service alert, but it is a meaningful neighboring-city government development with possible long-term implications for the local economy.

As New Smyrna Beach shapes its next phase of business planning, Edgewater residents and business owners may want to keep an eye on how those recommendations develop — especially if they touch on industrial land use, regional job creation, or future growth near shared transportation corridors.