When planning the investment issue, we here at Destin City Lifestyle turned to an expert with one question: What does the economic future of Destin look like in the coming years?
Enter Steven Franco, a well-established entrepreneur and commercial realtor with a wealth of knowledge in city economic planning. Steven is the Managing Partner of Rodos Realty Partners and Rodos Advisors | eXp and is also the President & CEO of Beachworx. With more than 29 years in the real estate business, Steven has in-depth knowledge of how all facets of the business work.
When it comes to the future of Destin’s economy, Steven said he believes Destin is one of the most opportunistic cities in the state of Florida for economic growth and development. With the city infrastructure already laid and the undeniable draw of the beach location, Destin has become the second-largest driving market for tourism in Florida after Orlando. What the city needs now, Steven explained, is an intentional and strategically planned way forward.
“It’s called smart growth,” Steven said of this strategic plan forward. “We have all this talent brought to the area because of the military, so the challenge becomes how do we retain all this talent instead of it leaving the area and simultaneously, how do we attract talent here? Then the question is what industry or business organizations can we create and build here in Destin to foster smart growth?”
Smart growth is not just a theory, in fact, Steven has already seen its effects through several of his own investments into the Destin Community starting in 2002. During that time, Steven was a principal investor for a property on 30A, now known as Abacos 30A; an upscale condominium complex across the street from Ed Walline Public Beach Access.
“At the beginning of my time down here, 30A was a very opportunistic area of growth,” Steven said. “I was a guy from Atlanta that brought my family on vacation to Santa Rosa Beach. Things were really popping in the 30A area in those days, but now I see opportunity trending to the west.”
Steven made Destin his full-time home in 2017 and dove headfirst into helping to shape the future of Florida’s Luckiest Fishing Village from the ground up. In addition to his commercial real estate brokerage Rodos Realty, Steven also revitalized a 25,000-square-foot, multi-story office building on Highway 98, across the street from the Destin Commons.
“We were challenged with the troubles people face today with tenants moving out,” Steven said of the project. “So instead of getting a new tenant, we created Beachworx, providing a flexible and affordable place to do business. Beachworx is truly an influential organization, a do-good company that helps businesses and small business owners. We now have more than 200 businesses using it today.”
Steven is a founding member of the Destin Economic Development Committee which formed last year under the Destin Chamber of Commerce. This committee is helping to set the stage for unique and opportunistic redevelopment not only in Destin but across the whole region. Last year, Steven wrote and presented to public officials a white paper detailing how smart growth will benefit Destin with the addition of strategic businesses and business centers that will elevate the quality of life for Destin residents and visitors alike.
"I’m a person that is helping drive the narrative and helping to direct the Destin business economy in a good way,” Steven said. “Where I see Destin’s economy going over the next few decades happens to be directly influenced by things I have been a part of over the last few years working with public officials and local nonprofits to change the dynamic of Destin and the area as a whole.”
Economic growth, in Steven’s opinion, is now trending westward in the Destin area. The reason for this, he said is simple, there is room for growth and affordable real estate to achieve the business needs necessary to sustain a growing population.
“Not only do I see growth moving up the corridors north and south in places like Freeport and Crestview, but to the west there are some very interesting plans that are going to drive a lot of growth in the near future,” Steven said. “Where cities like Fort Walton Beach and Navarre have been left behind in the past, the business economy is now looking very promising. The dynamic of value-add, if you are an investor, is in the west.”
However, Steven would say that his crowning achievement is not the business he has helped generate or his property investments, but instead his investment into the community through the people he has helped elevate. In addition to his business and economic pursuits, Steven also supports several non-profits in the Destin area; most notably Special Operators Transition Foundation (SOTF), Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
“As a part of my own growth in this community, I've invested not only in business but also in people, chambers of commerce and economic authorities,” he said. “I spent a lot of time and money, with no expectation of return and laid roots from my own desire to make this a great place to live. I’ve invested my time working with public officials and non-profits to really help elevate the Destin community."
Beachworx is Destin’s premiere flexible workspace and co-working facility which provides resources and connectivity unlike any other place of business in the Florida panhandle.
With both physical and virtual offices available, BeachWorx has created its own networking hub of working professionals in the area. The Beachworx platform elevates production, offers a network of contacts to top business leaders, and results in business-to-business referrals unlike anywhere else on the Emerald Coast.
“If you are interested in working with BeachWorx, our mission is elevating businesses achievements and success,” Steven said. “We provide local businesses with creative, affordable and deliverable assets with tremendous value-adds."
Learn more: thebeachworx.com
Rodos Realty Partners and Rodos Advisors | eXp. Offers services that go beyond the typical commercial realty services. Rodos provides expert advice and representation for commercial real estate acquisitions including permitting, government relations and capital stacks to name a few.
Rodos Realty combines expert experience with vast knowledge in real estate finance resulting in maximizing property values while limiting risks.
“We are experts in this field,” Steven said. “We provide a whole new level of expertise that will help avoid problems. If you’re looking for an organization that values people, integrity and excellence, contact us. We’re here to serve our community and invite other like-minded, talented professionals to join us.”
To learn more, visit: www.rodosrealtypartners.com.
