- December 16, 2025
The Economic Opportunity Advisory Council debates incubator options.
Economic Opportunity Advisory Council member Bob Cahill cited electric-bike manufacturer Rider Performance Group at the board’s Wednesday, March 7, meeting as an opportunity for Flagler County to become more welcoming to small businesses.
Rider Performance owners T.J. and Mark Goettsch won a spot in the Flagler Small Business Incubator Program last year for their plan to build electric bikes, as well as convert traditional models to battery power. (See “Flagler incubator business finds footing,” at www.PalmCoastObserver.com.) Their year in Adult Education-sponsored offices, though, has come to an end, and now they’re looking for lease space — retail and manufacturing — to officially launch their company.
But they’re having trouble finding venues within their price range — a cost issue council member Frank Zedar said he hears “frequently” from prospects also surveying Jacksonville and Orlando.
“I think they’re an example of what a lot of startups are going through, and that’s why I brought them up specifically,” said Cahill, who is also a manger in the Flagler Small Business Incubator Program. “They are at the point where they are really ready to grow their business … but (they’ve) not been able to find anything that’s reasonably priced.”
So the company is beginning to look elsewhere, in Volusia.
“We need a facility that is small-business/startup-friendly and provides some subsidized (financial) assistance,” he said. “Are we content to see Flagler County small businesses go to Daytona and Deltona?”
The short answer back from the board was “No.” But there were other items to consider.
“What’s our niche?” County Administrator Craig Coffey asked the board. “Are you talking about (attracting) shops and restaurants and shoe stores, or (larger companies) … like SeaRay Boats or Contemporary Machines?”
“Flagler County certainly does have a few buildings that are semi-available,” Barbara Revels, council chairwoman, added. “(But) we have to be really careful that (offering an existing space as an incubator) doesn’t tie up the building when we do have an (established) business come along. … If you start a program, you have to commit to it.”
She also cited the potential pitfalls of entering into competition with the private sector.
“In the last couple months, I’ve had a half-dozen startups sit down with me,” said Doug Baxter, Flagler County Chamber of Commerce & Affiliates president. “The bottom line is they have no money.”
But there is space available, he added, citing Baxter Technologies, a motorbike-stand manufacturer which opened a 10,200-square-foot warehouse in Hargrove Grade last year. “They have space in the back that might be perfect for this,” he said.
The incubator conversation marked the first real down-to-business session the EOAC has had to date, but it also raised more questions than answers.
“We have a lot of great ideas and a lot of leads, and now we have to get more organized, I think,” Revels said, near the end of the 45-minute meeting. She admitted that, until now, the EOAC has been sort of “biding its time.” But now Helga van Eckert, the council’s new executive director, is on board, she added, and everybody is ready to get their hands dirty.
“I’m hoping this is the shortest meeting we’ll ever have,” Revels added.
The Economic Opportunity Advisory Council’s next planning session will be March 28, at Princess Place Preserve.
— Email Mike Cavaliere at [email protected].
