This past year was a record one for the Nature Coast.

As 2020 approaches, we look back at some key moments in 2019. Among them:

*A&M Manufacturing moved into the former Central Florida Electric Cooperative warehouse adjacent to Chiefland High School. The company brings with it 20 jobs to start, with more than 100 expected to be created over the next three years. The Nature Coast Business Development Council  assisted the company by showing the site, working with the utility and company to draft a lease-to-purchase agreement, helping secure a loan to speed up the purchase timeframe, engaging CareerSource for talent recruitment, and getting a $60,000 incentive agreement approved by the Levy County Board of County Commissioners. 

*We conducted our largest-sever goal setting retreat in September, listening to business representatives, community members and stakeholders about desires for the coming year. Our goals for the new year were developed as a result.

*We hosted a Nov. 14 ribbon cutting for A&M, presenting a $2,500 check for their improvements to the building, and to help cover the cost of an export marketing plan to help the company identify new markets. 

*We began production of the latest round of business spotlight videos for our web site, with three companies soon to get the spotlight when production wraps.

*A doctor we have worked with on a proposed urgent care clinic that will eventually become a community hospital won an auction in November on a vacant building in Chiefland that will soon serve as the location for the project.

*An out-of-state company is expected to close on a three-acre site that will base its manufacturing operations, which will ultimately become a first-of-its-kind business in the state.