TO: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
THROUGH: John A Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator
John Stoll, Planning & Development Services Director
FROM: Doug Dombroski, Economic Development Manager
DATE: February 11, 2026
SUBJECT: Local Jobs Grant Program
__________________________________________________________________
BACKGROUND
This item requests authorization from the Board of County Commissioners for staff to begin revising the Indian River County Local Jobs Grant Program and its associated grant agreement, for future consideration by the Board. Authorization is requested to allow Planning and Development Services staff and the County Attorney’s Office to dedicate the necessary staff time to evaluate the existing program, incorporate stakeholder input, and develop proposed revisions intended to improve program effectiveness, business participation, and administrative efficiency.
The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Indian River County Economic Development Strategic Action Plan on January 27, 2026. One of the three primary goals of the plan is the utilization and expansion of County resources to support economic development. In response, County economic development staff have begun evaluating existing incentive programs to determine consistency with Florida Statutes, participation levels, and overall effectiveness. This effort is being conducted collaboratively by County staff and the Indian River Chamber of Commerce.
The Local Jobs Grant Program has been one of Indian River County’s primary economic development incentive programs for more than 15 years, providing grant funding to targeted industries that create jobs within the County. Program eligibility requires a business to create a minimum of five new jobs within the first year of hiring. The jobs must pay wages equal to at least 75 percent of the Indian River County average wage, as published annually by the Florida Department of Commerce. The current annual average wage for Indian River County is $55,448. Grants are paid on a per-job basis under three wage categories, with higher-paying jobs eligible for increased grant amounts.
Under the current program structure, businesses are eligible for grant reimbursement only after job creation has occurred and verified. Grant payments are distributed over a three-year period, with one-third of the total grant paid annually, contingent upon compliance. The program also allows for up to three phases of hiring, which can extend the term of an agreement and its associated reporting and compliance requirements for up to nine years.
ANALYSIS
County staff conducted a ten-year review of program activity from 2016 through 2025 to evaluate program performance and effectiveness. During this period, nine business applications were approved by the County Commission; however, only two businesses received grant payments, and both received partial payments relative to the projections contained in their agreements. Although four businesses were approved within the last three fiscal years, there are currently no active agreements under the program, as all four businesses were unable to maintain compliance with the agreement requirements.
Former program participants and potential applicants have provided feedback to County staff and the Indian River Chamber of Commerce indicating that the Local Jobs Grant Program is difficult to understand, overly regulatory, and administratively burdensome. Businesses cited extensive reporting and compliance requirements, lengthy agreement terms, and limited financial incentive as factors that discouraged participation or prevented continued compliance. These challenges have been particularly difficult for small businesses, limiting the program’s effectiveness in supporting job creation.
Based on the program’s performance history and stakeholder feedback, County staff is seeking authorization to begin developing revisions to the Local Jobs Grant Program. The goal of these revisions is to improve clarity, streamline administration, and increase participation while maintaining the program’s intent of reimbursing businesses after job creation has occurred.
Potential areas of revision include the total term of the agreement, hiring phases and commencement dates, reporting and compliance requirements, grant payment amounts and schedules, qualifying job determinations, and grant calculation clarification. Businesses would continue to be required to provide reasonable documentation to verify job creation, consistent with current program standards. Further, the grant will continue to be a reimbursement after the business completes its investment in job creation.
The Economic Development Council (EDC) discussed the Local Jobs Grant Program and the potential need for revisions at its regular meeting on January 20, 2026. Following discussion, the EDC unanimously recommended that the Board of County Commissioners authorize staff to proceed with developing proposed program revisions for future consideration.
BUDGETARY IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with revision to the program.
POTENTIAL FUTURE BOARD ACTIONS
Upon authorization, Planning and Development Services staff will evaluate the existing program and work with the Chamber, the EDC and the County Attorney’s Office to develop a revised program and draft agreement. The proposed revisions will be presented to EDC for a final recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners, prior to being brought forward to the Board as a future agenda item.
OTHER PLAN ALIGNMENT
Is consistent with the Indian River County Economic Development Strategic Action Plan , Goal 3. County Resources and Services: Enhance the County's organizational capabilities
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize staff to revise the Indian River County Local Jobs Grant Program and the associated grant agreement for consideration at a future meeting of the Board of County Commissioners