Seems Flagler County is ready for prime time in its economic development marketing efforts. The county, through its tourism development arm and its economic development department, teamed up to purchase 276 minutes on an electronic billboard close to New York City’s Times Square on West 42nd Street. The 10- second spots, which began on Oct. 1, will run once an hour, 18 times a day, through Jan. 2.

The ad shows a man in a business suit wearing sunglasses walking on a beach with a surfboard, then eventually cutting to him in orange business trunks. The tag line: “Your business forecast in Florida is SUNNY.”

According to media reports, Helga van Eckert, director of economic development, said, “It will be running for the full three months, during the parade, Christmas, the ball drop, everything.”

Hopefully the county will receive a warm reception for its effort.

In other news: Brevard County Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony

Local and state officials were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony in late October in Titusville for the Space Coast Gap section of the East Central Florida Rail Trail that will cover 12 miles and cost $3.6 million. Part of the Coast to Coast Connector, the continuous biking and walking trail will stretch the width of the state–beginning in Titusville and featuring 275 miles all the way to St. Petersburg.

It is expected to generate more revenue for local businesses along the trail and also draw in more tourists.