Cocoa
Florida
City of Cocoa Monthly E-Newsletter - February 7, 2023
Government and Politics
February 8, 2023
From: City of CocoaLeon and Jewel Collins Museum of African American History and Culture Featured on Florida Frontiers
Florida Frontiers TV - Ep. 53 - Leon & Jewel Collins Museum of African American History & Culture
The Florida Historical Society recently featured the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum of African American History and Culture in its Florida Frontiers program. This museum, which was officially dedicated in September 2017, includes exhibits about Harry T. Moore who worked in the building, Zora Neale Hurston who lived nearby, and original Highwayman Artist R.L. Lewis.
Both Leon and Jewel Collins were recognized for their passionate advocacy and significant contributions to the City of Cocoa and to Brevard County. Leon Collins was the first African American to be elected to the Cocoa City Council in 1973 where he served for ten years. In 1999, Jewel Collins was the first African American woman elected to the Cocoa City Council where she served through 2006. She also served on the Beautification Board, Cocoa Redevelopment Agency Board, Diamond Square Redevelopment Agency Board, and Stadium Committee for the City of Cocoa.
Leon and Jewel Collins were community activists for the concerns of the Citizens of Cocoa and Brevard County. In the 1960s Leon and Jewel were among the leaders marching in Cocoa for voting rights for African Americans. They were both also active members of the NAACP and the Cocoa/Rockledge Civic League.
Learn more about the museum and the Harry T. Moore center where the museum is located by visiting the website below and watching the Florida Frontiers episode.
City Manager's Message
Cocoa has a rich and diverse history that we continue to value and pay tribute to each day. Cocoa is the proud home of the Leon and Jewel Collins Museum of African American History and Culture. A place that will soon be able to showcase that rich history and honor and pay tribute to those who forged the path for a more inclusive community. We are happy to share some of the people that will be featured at the museum as part of our Black History month feature in this newsletter.
February is still the beginning of the calendar year but it is also the time we embark on the planning phase for our next fiscal year budget. Over the next few weeks, we will be working with City Council to determine our fiscal year 2024 budget priorities and projects and plan for the year ahead. We invite our residents and business owners to join us for these upcoming sessions which are planned for Thursday, February 23, 2023 and Tuesday, March 7, 2023 in Cocoa City Council Chambers. We will also be discussing a proposed ordinance on notification requirements for landlords to increase rent and updates on the on-street dining options in the Cocoa Village area.
We recently held our newly revised Annual Economic Development Update Event. This year we moved it to a late afternoon event and turned the focus not only on the economic development updates from the City of Cocoa but spotlighted some of our local businesses and gave attendees the opportunity to network with our business owners. We received great feedback on the changes we made to this event and will work to improve it again next year. Below you can see the highlight video on the past year of economic development highlights from the City of Cocoa.
2023 Annual Economic Development Update
There are a lot of great things happening in the City of Cocoa. We are excited about the start of our application process for the UpStart Cocoa Small Business Development Program. This unique program will offer 5 new businesses in the City of Cocoa up to $10,000 in a forgivable loan. This is a great new program that helps small minority-owned businesses get a start or expand into the City of Cocoa. You can read more about this program below and how you can apply.
We are excited to co-host an upcoming Job Fair with Career Source Brevard at the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 10am-4pm. There will be over 25 employers available to meet with potential applicants including tables featuring opportunities with the City of Cocoa. You can learn more about this event below.
As always, we continue to work together for the better of Cocoa and are excited for the year ahead.
-Stockton Whitten, Cocoa City Manager
2023 Spring Into Fitness Challenge
Are you ready for a challenge? Join us for the Running Zone "Spring into Fitness" Challenge beginning on February 11th for 8 weeks. The City of Cocoa team will be led by local Zumba Instructor Jackie Lewis. The event, formally known as the Mayor's Fitness Challenge, is organized through Get Healthy Brevard, a public-private collaboration bringing together state agencies, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, and entire communities to help Florida’s children and adults make consistent, informed choices about healthy eating and active living. For more information on the challenge and how you can get involved, visit the Facebook page or join the 2023 Spring into Fitness Team Cocoa Facebook Group.
Upstart Cocoa Applications Open through March 15th
The City of Cocoa is now accepting applications for the UpStart Cocoa Small Business Development Program. This program is designed as a three-year forgivable loan program that awards up to $10,000 to a new start-up business or a business looking to expand into the City of Cocoa and is available to empower entrepreneurs to succeed in the City of Cocoa, attract minority businesses to the area, contribute to the economic vitality by promoting small business, and to cultivate vibrant neighborhoods through the encouragement of diverse businesses.
There will be five loans available through this program with some dedicated solely to the Diamond Square community. Applications opened on February 1, 2023. All applications must be submitted for review no later than March 15, 2023. Click the link below to learn more about the UpStart Cocoa program.
Cocoa Village Community Street Art Project
In the summer of 2021 the City of Cocoa requested submissions for a public street art project in front of the Cocoa Village Playhouse. The project, which was approved by the Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) in conjunction with the Cocoa Village Playhouse and Historic Cocoa Village Main Street, asked for community input on a design that would be printed on thermoplast and installed in front of the playhouse.
The City did a similar thermoplast project for a crosswalk in front of Endeavour Elementary school. Eight different ideas were submitted from the community for this new project and one was selected by the Cocoa CRA that was submitted by Nathaniel Knepper-Quijano. The design was installed at the end of January 2023 and is a beautiful addition to the front of the historic playhouse.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Justin Berke
GIS Administrator
2 years of service to the citizens of Cocoa
Justin Berke has been a part of #TeamCocoa for over 2 years and serves as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Administrator for the City of Cocoa. In his role, Justin creates maps, organizes data infrastructure, and creates applications that help people interact with the City of Cocoa’s vast array of information. Justin says his favorite part of the job is “helping folks learn cool new technology to solve complex problems.”
Lee Wenner Park Parking Improvement Project
On Monday, February 6, 2023, the Cocoa Community Redevelopment Agency Board approved for staff to begin working on a request for proposals (RFP) for a company to bid on the Lee Wenner Park Parking Lot Improvements Project. This project will maximize and increase standard vehicle parking while preserving boat trailer parking for the boating community.
Free Community-wide Job Fair at the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center
The City of Cocoa in coordination with CareerSource Brevard, will host the Eighth Annual Cocoa Job Fair on Thursday, February 23, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Dr. Joe Lee Smith Community Center, located at 419 Washington Ave. in Cocoa. This is a free event and is open to the entire community.
Job seekers are encouraged to dress in business professional attire as there will be on site interviews available for some employers. Over 25 different employers in Brevard County will be represented at this event including the City of Cocoa, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Hydro Extrusions North America, LF Staffing, American In Home Care, Brevard County Human Resources, Arnott, Brevard Achievement Center, and Coca Cola Beverages Florida.
City of Cocoa Awarded $888,000 in Grants to Help Save the Indian River Lagoon
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) awarded the City of Cocoa $888,000 to fund two projects that will result in a reduction of about 2,500 pounds of nitrogen and 450 pounds of phosphorus per year to the Indian River Lagoon (IRL).
Affordable Connectivity Program Offers Assistance with Internet Service and Devices
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The Affordable Connectivity Program is a U.S. Government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet.
You are likely eligible if your household's income is below 200% of the Federal Poverty Line, or if you or someone you live with currently receives a government benefit like SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, WIC, Pell Grant. or Free and Reduced-Price Lunch. Click below for more information and to apply.
Cocoa Rotary to Donate New Clock in Myrt Square
Back in September 2022, the clock at Myrt Tharpe Square fell over and hit a nearby bike rack, splitting the clock pole in half. The iconic clock has been a staple in Myrt Tharpe Square since 2003. Members of the Cocoa Rotary club approached the City of Cocoa to see about the club donating a new clock in honor of their approaching 100th Anniversary. The clock will be the Rotary blue color and will have the Rotary symbol on the face of the clock and will take about 8 months to get delivered and replaced. Cocoa Rotary is accepting donations to help fund the full cost of the clock if anyone in the community would like to participate in this great project.
Members of Council Out and About
Mayor Blake served as the guest Chef and speaker at the recent Character Breakfast at Emma Jewel Charter Academy.
On January 30, 2023, Councilwoman Koss participated in the Point-In-Time Count. Pictured here with Erica from the Fern Center.
On January 25, Mayor Blake, City Manager Stockton Whitten, and Cocoa Council members attended the City of Cocoa's Annual Economic Development Update Business networking event at the Cocoa Civic Center.
Councilman Dyal served as a Judge at the Annual Cocoa Village Bicycle Parade and drove the historic City of Cocoa Fire Truck during the Cocoa/Rockledge Holiday Parade.
Mayor Blake and Cocoa Council members celebrated our Cocoa High Football 2S State Champions on January 7, 2023 at a celebration at Riverfront Park.
On January 3, Chief Collier, Councilman Goins, and Councilman Hearn attended the Hey Blue children's book reading event at Essence of Knowledge Bookstore.
On January 27, 2023, City of Cocoa Council members participated in the Literacy Night hosted at Cocoa High School for our local Cocoa schools.