By Reggie Connell, Managing Editor
Michelle Boylan, Apopka's first economic development director, will leave her post on November 15th. She began her role nine months ago, on February 5th, after a 5-0 vote from the Apopka City Council ratifying her appointment.
In a letter dated November 4th and addressed to Mayor Bryan Nelson, Boylan explains her reason for resigning as EDD:
"Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from my position of Economic Development Director for the City of Apopka. It is with mixed emotions that I submit this resignation, as I have been presented with an opportunity that I cannot pass up. My last day with the city will be Friday, November 15, 2024.
Michelle Boylan, Economic Development Director for the City of Apopka.
Serving as Apopka’s inaugural Economic Development Director has been an incredible honor and I am truly grateful for the trust and support you have shown me. I am proud of the initiatives we have launched together and the foundation we have established for future growth.
I hope the department continues to thrive and that the programs we implemented will lead to ongoing success for the community.
Thank you once again for the opportunity to be part of Apopka’s journey. I look forward to seeing the continued progress of the city and wish you and the team all the best in the future."
Jacob Smith, the Apopka City Administrator who began his term in June, believes Boylan laid the groundwork for a successful economic development department.
"Michelle Boylan will be missed. She came into the City of Apopka as the first hired professional to deal with economic development and laid the foundation for a sustainable future for the City," Smith told The Apopka Voice in an emailed response. "She had a vision for where the City could be, and one of the most difficult aspects of the job is sharing and realizing that vision – as positive change takes time. We will continue to benefit for many years from the work that she has done. [I'm] sad to see her go."
During her term as the economic development director, Boylan announced a partnership with a consulting firm consultant to attract retail businesses to Apopka, and launched an economic development website and a Business Retention and Expansion Program to boost the local economy.
The City has not announced a replacement for Boylin or a search for a new economic development director.
This developing story will be updated in future editions of The Apopka Voice.
