County manager speaks to Orange Park Sunrise Rotary

County Manager Howard Wanamaker told the group’s Friday, Oct. 21 meeting at Club Continental about the county’s $700 million budget, growth in the community, the county’s bonded transportation program and opportunities to volunteer. 

Wanamaker also discussed two community improvement initiatives: Gateway to Clay and the College Drive Initiative.

Gateway to Clay focuses on infrastructure and safety improvements to the Wells Road area. Wanamaker said visitors entering the county from the north encounter the Wells Road area first, and officials want to ensure Wells Road businesses and organizations make a good first impression on them.

The College Drive Initiative seeks to leverage nonprofit organizations on the nearly three-mile roadway from Blanding Boulevard to County Road 220. The drive is home to St. Johns River State College, the Thrasher-Horne Center, Mercy Support Services and others. One goal of the movement is to bolster events in the area, and the initiative’s successful Food Truck Friday has partially accomplished that goal.

Wanamaker also informed the group about the county’s new app: Clay Connected, available in Apple’s app store and Google Play. The app is a new way for residents to report problems and request services.