- December 4, 2025
Dear Editor:
Flagler County is at a pivotal moment. We’re uniquely positioned for meaningful growth, but that window won’t stay open forever. To move forward, we must act with intention, and resist the loud but shortsighted “Heck no, we won’t grow” mindset that continues to hold us back.
This attitude isn’t just unproductive, it’s harming our reputation in the national business community and limiting the opportunities we can attract. Enter DC Blox and Google. Welcoming these companies isn’t just another development project, it could be a defining moment for our region. This is exactly the type of forward-thinking, tech-driven investment we need to support if we want to become more than just a bedroom community. With our proximity to the Space Coast, we have a real chance to become a hub for the aerospace and high-tech industry. But we must take action now to lay the necessary groundwork.
Let’s be realistic: this specific project won’t bring hundreds of jobs overnight. But it’s a vital first step. The infrastructure involved, including subsea cables and a modest hub facility, has far less impact than many fear. The hub uses a closed-loop refrigerant cooling system, similar to a household refrigerator. So it won’t tax the local water supply, and FPL confirms they can handle the power needs.
Placing the facility in Town Center is also a smart move. It will improve the area’s appearance and help transform it into the vibrant business and residential district it was always meant to be, not just a cluster of apartments and a government office.
As for community impact, this is the equivalent of a small office or call center. It will quietly generate tax revenue and impact fees, nothing huge, but certainly valuable. More importantly, it represents momentum.
Real progress doesn’t come from waiting for the perfect project. It comes from seizing smart opportunities when they arise. This project is one such opportunity. The long-term benefits, strategic positioning, improved reputation, and a message to the tech world that we’re ready to grow, far outweigh any drawbacks.
In the end, this modest, low-impact investment sends a powerful signal: Flagler County and Palm Coast are open for business. Despite the noise on social media or in anonymous blog posts, we are a forward-looking community, ready to welcome smart, sustainable growth. It’s time to take that first step, before someone else does.
Ron Long
Flagler County
