Serving St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River and Okeechobee counties


Treasure Coast Business News 9.26.23

Sewall’s Point Commissioner Appointed to Statewide Committee

Kaija Mayfield, Commissioner for the Town of Sewall’s Point, has been appointed to serve on the Florida League of Cities’ 2023-2024 Finance, Taxation and Personnel Committee... Read More>>

If you have news or announcements to share, please email us at [email protected]

boaters ready to do some serious fishing
Cover Story

Treasure Coast reflects boating industry’s growing economic impact

Impactful statistics and testimonials tell the story when it comes to the popularity and importance of recreational boating on the Treasure Coast.

“Recreational boating has gone through the roof,’’ says Justin Beard, the new executive director of Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast. “It really has." Read more...

cove at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park

Love affair with boating grows stronger

In times of COVID, boating was the perfect pastime for social distancing. You got to stay close to your family, you saw other people from afar and you were able to experience the great outdoors.

If you had any idea about how popular boating had become all you had to do was visit your local boat dealers, many of whom were out of stock, or check the classifieds for used boats, many of which were overpriced because of the strong demand. Read more...

Dyer Subaru and Mazda dealership Vero Beach

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Dyer Subaru in Vero Beach will soon be opening a state-of-the-art dealership to sell and service one of the highly regarded automotive brands on the road today and beloved by its owners.

The two-story, 17,000-square-foot structure is in the final phase of construction and projected to be completed in... Read more...

Kaylee King

Okeechobee county gets new EDC president

Kaylee King, business manager of the Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation, has been promoted to the role of president. King is approaching her third year with the corporation, which advocates for economic development in Okeechobee... Read more...

Kings Logistics Center in Fort Pierce under construction

Giant warehouse near completion

The new 664,176-square-foot Kings Logistics Center warehouse in Fort Pierce is near completion.

Roofing of the massive building was completed last spring and the exterior of the building is scheduled to be completed this summer, with construction of the interior to take place... Read more...

Russ Blackburn

Blackburn wins EDC Leadership award

Russ Blackburn, Port St. Lucie’s recently retired city manager, was presented with the Pete Hegener Leadership Award by the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County at its ninth annual leadership dinner on May 18.

The award is presented annually to a dedicated business leader who has made significant contributions to... Read more...

Real Stone & Granite president Jose D. Ubilla

A ROCK-SOLID COMMITMENT

Working with various veterans groups, Real Stone Monuments has created memorials that recognize the ultimate sacrifice of service men and women in maintaining the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Vietnam veterans, Navy SEALS and veterans of World War II, Korea, Pearl Harbor, and recent conflicts have had memorials built in their honor.

What makes Real Stone’s involvement with veterans groups so special is... Read more...

Michael Rem of JBL Development, left, Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson and Sandra Pabon of Itasca Construction Partners sign the cornerstone of the Interstate Commerce Center.

Completion of commerce center rolling along

The Interstate Commerce Center, under construction at 3800 Crossroads Parkway in the Crossroads Park of Commerce, has 1,300 feet of clear Interstate 95 frontage and is in St. Lucie County at the northernmost point where I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike intersect...Read more...

Indian River Bikram Yoga

NEW LOCATION, SAME PASSION

Pat Murray recently celebrated Indian River Bikram Yoga’s one-year anniversary at its new location at Seaway Plaza on the corner of North U.S. Highway 1 and Seaway Drive in Fort Pierce after spending the previous five years in Vero Beach.

So far, the move and reception have been quite positive... Read more...

Total Truck Parts executives, from left, Marc Karon, Tom Gibson, Leo Cordiero and Dennis Imbody wield shovels at the March ground-breaking ceremony for the company’s new 47,000-square-foot facility currently under construction on 6 acres at Midway Business Park in Port St. Lucie.
Expansion

Total Truck Parts breaks ground for new PSL location

Construction has begun on a 47,000-square foot building for Total Truck Parts’ largest facility. After an almost two-year search, the employee-owned company with six locations in central and South Florida selected a 6-acre site in Midway Business Park to build... Read more...


Farm-raised tilapiaCover Story

Hooked on a system

On the west side of Vero Beach, 15 acres of verdant farmland are producing an environmentally sustainable food product. And there is something decidedly fishy about it. Read more...


Downtown Fort PierceDowntown Upswing

Downtown Fort Pierce, like many other historical neighborhoods, is always in a state of flux. Businesses come in, some succeed while others fall by the wayside.

In recent years, the newcomers have outnumbered the failures, although there have been a few of the latter. Fort Pierce seems to have reached a steady-state period after a period of heady growth. According to reports by local merchants, shoppers are still discovering the charms of downtown and its small, independent stores that offer one-off boutiques, gift stores and eating and drinking establishments not found anywhere else. Read more...


Bob and Sharon Lowe of Lowe’s International Realty Plus
Island of possibilities

Most folks in their 80s living on North Hutchinson Island are well into retirement, enjoying natural amenities found on the beautiful stretch of the barrier island between the Indian River County line and Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.

Retirement? At age 84, Bob Lowe chooses to remain active by selling this Treasure Coast gem to out-of-towners looking to relocate, especially from the East Coast, North Florida and South Florida.  Read more...

Bev Smith ToyotaExpansion

Steering toward the future

A major renovation and expansion project at Bev Smith Toyota, located at 3350 South U.S. Highway 1 in Fort Pierce, will get underway this spring to accommodate continued business growth.

Frank Gonzalez, Bev Smith Automotive Group vice president, said the building will be completely gutted and then expanded. The front portion will be extended outward to where the customer parking spaces are located.  Read more...

Aaron Judge, holding a Chandler bat

MANUFACTURING

Home run slugger Aaron Judge uses bats made on Treasure Coast

Even as the National Football League and college football get into high season, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is grabbing the attention of the American sports fan with his chase of Roger Maris’ record 61 home runs in a season, poetically 61 years after that mark was set.

As sports networks and websites break into regular programming to show Judge’s plate appearances, Treasure Coast residents can be proud that the bat he is using was made in Port St. Lucie at the manufacturing plant owned by privately held Chandler Bats... Read more...

Food service distributor Cheney Brothers

REAL ESTATE

Modern-day land rush

There is a land rush like no one has ever seen for large plots ripe for industrial development on the Treasure Coast.

Jeff Chamberlin is one of the most active real estate professionals who deal in the large parcels in high demand mostly west of the heavily populated areas... Read more...

manufacturing bootcamp

TCMA Voice
A newsletter presented by the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association

Indian River County Chamber boot camp gives grads a leg up

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce held its third Manufacturing Boot Camp session this summer, with 12 students participating, including two Charter High School graduates. And, for the first time, there were three girls who participated in the program.

The program was launched in 2019 with just eight students and has grown steadily each year... Read more...

AQUISITIONS

Do your homework before buying an existing small business

Do you dream of owning your own business? There’s more than one way to make this dream come true. Some entrepreneurs launch a business from scratch, while others buy an existing business. There are certainly advantages to buying an established business, but is it the right move for you? Let’s find out... Read more...

U.S. Census Bureau

Business Startups

Census Bureau service provides timely updates on business startups

Florida has seen unprecedented growth during the past two years in the number of new business starts. In 2020, more than 495,000 new applications were filed to start a new business — up 26.8% from the previous year. While these were staggering numbers, the pace continued at the same robust rate in 2021. Last year, there were more than 632,000 new business applications [another 27% increase year-over-year]... Read more...

Doug Miller, president of St. Lucie Battery & Tire

COVER STORY

St. Lucie Battery & Tire experiences growth spurt during tough economic times

St. Lucie Battery & Tire, at 54 years old, is about to experience another growth spurt.

Even without adding any stores, the Fort Pierce-based privately held company with 235 employees is poised to become one of the top 50 largest independent tire dealers in the United States as private equity and consolidation take out some of those with more than the company’s 17 outlets service centers.

Doug Miller, company president, says... Read more...

Rodger Pridgeon, left, and Lonnie Koyama

IN THE NEWS

Corporate Air owner named Business Person of the Year

Rodger Pridgeon, owner and president of Corporate Air Inc., has been named the 2022 South Florida District SBA Small Business Person of the Year.

Corporate Air Inc. is a fixed base operator that provides fuel, aircraft maintenance, hangar space and charter jet services at the Vero Beach Regional Airport.

This year’s National Small Business Week awards celebrate the sacrifices and achievements of small business owners and their significant contributions to the economy and communities... Read more...

Treasure Coast Minority Businesses to Watch 2022

MINORITY BUSINESSES TO WATCH

Workshops provide Treasure Coast owners with tools to succeed

Americans often start their own businesses to circumvent obstacles related to lack of education or experience needed to succeed in the formal economy.

Most minority-owned businesses operate under the premise of owner/operator and struggle to gain access to capital that will help sustain the business over a long period of time.

Historically, in comparison to other racial groups, Black and minority business owners possess fewer personal assets such as home ownership or stocks/bonds to generate startup capital for their businesses.

Scores of studies have shown that this deficiency results in less... Read more...

Frank Fink

FLSBDC

Small business owners’ concerns with inflation and lack of workers hit record low

Small businesses are gloomy about their future, with an index of future expectations plunging to a 48-year low. The top concerns: inflation and worker shortages.

The National Federation of Independent Business optimism index stood at 93.2 in April. The net share of owners expecting better business conditions in the next six months eased one point to a record low... Read more...

Katherine Culhane, Associate Director for the Florida SBDC

FLSBDC

Small businesses can offer job candidates advantages when competing with larger companies

You have the business, you have the production, but you don’t have the people to make it all happen. Is this your business?

Imagine you’ve landed a big government contract but you can’t find enough workers to execute it. Right now, the talent shortage is affecting companies globally. In the fourth quarter alone, 15 million Americans resigned their jobs. This Great Resignation trend continues, according to Katherine Culhane, a business consultant at the Florida SBDC at Indian River State College... Read more...

Kevin Cooper, IRSC executive director of innovation and business development

Indian River State College news

National Science Foundation’s $2.7 million award to fund electric vehicle consortium at IRSC

Indian River State College has received a three-year, $2,735,771 award from the National Science Foundation to establish a National Electric Vehicle Consortium to help alleviate an immediate shortage of skilled technical workers across almost every sector of the fast-growing electric vehicle industry.

The consortium will focus on manufacturing, installation, operations, maintenance, repair, vehicle conversion, safety and standards, and emerging technological advances within the EV sector... Read more...

Treasure Coast Business Leaders to Watch 2022

LEADERS TO WATCH

Treasure Coast business movers and shakers contributing to regional growth

Vision for the future is an important component for any business owner, manager or aspiring entrepreneur. Whether it is a nonprofit, for-profit, government, small or big business, the organization will always require a vision for growth, expansion or innovation. The mechanism that allows the organization to execute this vision is leadership. From motivating and inspiring the team and community to creating and organizing the tasks and work plan — leadership plays a critical role.

So, what is good leadership? Read more...

Southern Eagle Distributing’s Fort Pierce warehouse

AQUISITIONS

Treasure Coast business movers and shakers contributing to regional growth

Vision for the future is an important component for any business owner, manager or aspiring entrepreneur. Whether it is a nonprofit, for-profit, government, small or big business, the organization will always require a vision for growth, expansion or innovation. The mechanism that allows the organization to execute this vision is leadership. From motivating and inspiring the team and community to creating and organizing the tasks and work plan — leadership plays a critical role.

So, what is good leadership?

The most common definition is the ability to inspire confidence and support among the people who are needed to achieve organizational goals. An important element regarding leadership is that... Read more...

IRSC President Tim Moore addresses TCMA members

TCMA Voice
A newsletter presented by the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association

IRSC President outlines new workforce center at annual meeting

After two years of pandemic-related delays, more than 70 members and guests recently attended the Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association’s annual meeting.

Board member and committee chairman Jack Chadam emceed a diverse program highlighting small- and medium-sized manufacturers held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County’s Westside Campus last month... Read more...

Duane Reiff

FLSBDC

Interruption of supply chain is painful for companies and consumers

If your small business is experiencing supply chain interruptions, you are not alone. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear about another small business experiencing supply chain issues.

Throughout the Treasure Coast, manufacturers are struggling to ... Read more...

Katie Muldoon

FLSBDC

Center provides multiple training programs for aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners

The FSBDC at IRSC provides high-value training programs throughout the year that focus on vital business issues including social media marketing and financial management. The center also offers Start-Smart, a class for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners... Read more...

GDI President Kimberly Amsalem talks new bids with PTAC Specialist Scotty Wilson

FLSBDC

Center’s guidance designs contract strategy for graphics company in Stuart

What began as a simple inquiry regarding attracting and acquiring government contracts has quickly grown into a high-value business model for Kimberly Amsalem and her company, Graphic Designs International... Read more...

Tammy Matthew — Market Executive, Bank of America Treasure Coast

Best Practices – Donations

Underserved communities banking on businesses to help wipe out hunger

More than 12% of Florida residents are facing food insecurity, according to Feeding America. This means the chances are high that you know someone suffering from food scarcity, even if you don’t realize it. More than 2.5 million Floridians live in households without consistent access to food and more than 700,000 are children... Read more...

High School students celebrate

Indian River State College news

New college program to offer graduating seniors free tuition

In response to a pandemic that has disrupted lives and derailed plans for so many in the community, Indian River State College recently revealed its most significant investment ever in eliminating barriers to higher education.

At a special assembly for Fort Pierce Central High School seniors, the college launched the IRSC Promise Program — announcing tuition-free associate degrees for qualifying 2022 high school graduates from public and public charter schools in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties... Read more...

Bloomberg Terminals

Indian River State College news

Bloomberg Terminals link students with financial world

Students studying at Indian River State College now have access to the platform used by the world’s leading banks, corporations and government agencies to view real-time global financial data, news feeds and messages.

The college has installed 12 Bloomberg Terminals, providing students with unparalleled coverage of markets and securities with information across asset classes — from fixed income to equities, foreign exchange, commodities and derivatives... Read more...

From right, Donna Crary, Kerry Firth, Bernie Woodall and Mary Ann Koenig, Publisher Gregory Enns, left

Treasure Coast Business News 7.20

Indian River Magazine takes home four statewide awards

Indian River Magazine took home four awards during the annual Florida Magazine Association gala ceremony held Friday night in Sarasota. The magazine received an overall best writing award that cited the works of, from right, Donna Crary, Kerry Firth, Bernie Woodall and Mary Ann Koenig. Crary also won a best writing public service award. Publisher Gregory Enns, left, won a a best column-writing award. The magazine also won a best special section award for its annual Best of the Treasure Coast competition.

Read more...

Better Business Program classes

SMALL BUSINESS

If providing expert advice and coaching for entrepreneurs can help new businesses avoid potholes on the road to success using the Business Accelerator Program, perhaps the same approach could be of use to business owners in Main Street programs.

That was the idea behind a pilot Better Business Program first suggested by the state Main Street organization to... Read more...

Legacy Park at Tradition

DEVELOPMENT

St. Lucie County undergoing tremendous building boom along commercial corridors

Stop at almost any Interstate 95 interchange in St. Lucie County and listen carefully. That rumbling in the background isn’t traffic noise, it’s a rapidly intensifying torrent of industrial and commercial development coming down the pike.

The world has finally discovered St. Lucie County’s wide-open spaces for business parks. Easy access along I-95 to South Florida and an... Read more...

Springs at Tradition

REAL ESTATE

Scarcity of homes could cool off real estate market

Realtor John Slivon is happy homes are selling so fast these days, but he’s also a little worried about the future of real estate in St. Lucie County.

Slivon is the manager of Bowen Realty’s Port St. Lucie office. He’s a past president of the Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie County Realtors Association. He also chairs the St. Lucie Realtors Charitable Foundation, which awards grants in the form of down-payment assistance to qualified buyers seeking attainable housing... Read more...

Brightline

TRANSPORTATION

Stuart likely location of Brightline station

Brightline has shown an interest in adding a station on the Treasure Coast and one on the Space Coast. Cocoa is the most likely location for the Space Coast station due mostly to its proximity to the Port Canaveral cruise lines... Read more...

Duane Reiff

FLSBDC

Experienced manufacturing specialist joins SBDC consulting team

Manufacturing specialist Duane Reiff is the newest member of an expanded business consulting team at the Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College. Reiff’s specialization will be manufacturing with a concentration on growth and resources for trade industries within the Treasure Coast marketplace... Read more...

Greg Britton – Florida SBDC Network CEO

FLSBDC

SBDC network urges business owners to have a plan to deal with hurricane damage

The Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, urges small business owners to prepare for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and extends through November... Read more...

IRSC students will be returning to campu

IRSC NEWS

IRSC returning to normalcy as it readies campuses for fall semester

Indian River State College will be returning to pre-pandemic operational capacity beginning with the fall semester that begins Aug. 18.

In addition to expanding classroom occupancy, the college will resume full in-person participation... Read more...

Lee Michaud, USA Diving president; Dr. Timothy E. Moore, president of Indian River State College; and Dave Gascon, USA Diving board chairman

IRSC NEWS

USA diving forms partnership with IRSC; Educational center to be developed on fort pierce campus

USA Diving recently announced during its Olympic team trials in Indianapolis that it is moving its executive offices to Indian River State College’s main campus in Fort Pierce.

The college and diving organization plan to develop facilities and resources to support athlete and coach development and the growth of diving in the United States. The partnership greatly expands the ability for... Read more...

Cristin O’Hara and Doug Sherman

BEST PRACTICES

Restaurants need to adopt technology to help survive effects of pandemic

To survive revenue disruption and other financial challenges, restaurants need to find ways to adapt into the technology-driven future of meal ordering and delivery that seems to be here to stay.

The pandemic didn’t create technology innovation — it accelerated existing trends...Read more...

Christopher Morhardt

BEST PRACTICES

Pharus Group Expands Ecosystem of Services; Launches New Business Units To Better Serve Its Customers

Leading FL-based full-service business management advisory firm launches new suite of services with the unveiling of nine new business units to help customers nationwide.

Pharus Group LLC, an award-winning Florida-based business management advisory firm, recently announced that the company has unveiled a new ecosystem of services under the brand Pharus Global to better serve businesses throughout Florida and nationwide. The Pharus management team is proud to unveil these new additions to the ecosystem which includes...Read more...

Herbert P. Ricardo

BEST PRACTICES

Intraprenuers are vital employees if a company is going to succeed

Internal Intraprenuership. If you’ve not heard the term, it’s time you get familiar with it as it could save your company or organization. The term intrapreneur is given to employees within organizations who exhibit entrepreneurial tendencies. These are employees who are motivated, optimistic and driven to solve problems. They are the idea generators, status quo disrupters and change agents. They can be leaders, managers, supervisors or frontline employees...Read more...

Gerri Detweiler

FLSBDC

Here are guidelines on how to qualify and apply for new PPP loans

Updated Jan. 20: The SBA has released guidance for new PPP loans available under the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act [the Economic Aid Act]. This article includes the latest guidance from the Small Business Administration along with the new application forms.

What are Paycheck Protection Program Loans?
The Paycheck Protection Program [PPP] loan is a type of SBA loan designed to provide funds to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 to keep their workers on payroll. These loans may be completely forgiven if... Read more...

Commissioner Thomas Epsky

FLSBDC

Tips to help working from home be a success for management and employees

Large and small businesses are finding interesting ways to keep employees engaged and feeling like they are part of the team while they are working from home. And amid the new reality, workers are expressing a desire to make the new arrangement work, even beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

Is remote work here to stay? The jury is still out on what the post-COVID world will be like, but some workers already are asking for... Read more...

Gerri Detweiler

FLSBDC

Qualifying requirements outlined for second round of Economic Injury Disaster Loan program

Update Jan. 20: The Economic Aid Act, signed Dec. 27, includes additional funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. This article includes information about the targeted EIDL grant application process provided by the Small Business Administration.

Congress has allocated another $20 billion in EIDL grants [advances] in the new stimulus bill. Read more...

Nichole Mooney

BEST PRACTICES

Do employers have the authority to require vaccinations?

Recent announcements regarding the availability of vaccines for the COVID-19 virus have been both exciting and concerning for some employers and employees.

Employers need to consider how they will address questions and concerns with respect to the vaccination and its effects on the workplace.

One question is whether employers may require employees or new hires to be vaccinated. In March, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission confirmed that ...Read more...

Cheryl Kirby

BEST PRACTICES

Florida small businesses are resilient, even in face of hurdles presented by pandemic

Small business owners are nothing if not intrepid. They demonstrate their flexibility no matter what situation arises. Their resiliency has never been more apparent than in recent months as they encountered setbacks related to COVID-19.

To determine the specific challenges owners have and continue to face, the Florida Small Business Development Center Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, recently partnered with the Florida Chamber Foundation and the University of West Florida Haas Center to survey nearly 5,000 business owners about the effects of the pandemic. The results were telling...Read more...

Patty O'Connell

RETAIL

Treasure Coast business owners improvise during pandemic shutdown

For about a decade, Patty O’Connell has had an informational website for Gumbo Limbo Coastal Chic, her downtown Stuart home accessories shop. But none of the store’s eclectic collection of goods were for sale online. The plan was to eventually gin up the website for e-commerce, but there was no hurry. Most all her customers were loyal locals. All sales were in-store, just as it had been since its opening in 2008.

That was all BC — Before COVID... Read more...

FLORIDA SBDC

Community banks benefit from willingness to approve PPP loans for small business owners

Clifton Vaughn

In South Florida as well as around the nation, small business owners applying for the Paycheck Protection Program often struck out with big lenders — even when they had been loyal customers. They had better luck with smaller, community banks that were less deluged with applications and nimbler.

According to the Small Business Administration, about 52% of the loans and 44% of the PPP program dollars were approved by local community banks and specialty lenders... Read more...

FLORIDA SBDC

SBA approves record number of loans designed to help business owners

Katherine Culhane, Associate Director for the Florida SBDC

At a time when small businesses across the country are struggling to stay afloat, some business owners are investing in business growth by expanding their facilities or buying equipment. In fact, a record number may be, according to some very recent loan data.

With Small Business Administration 504 loans, businesses are able to purchase land, buildings, or other major assets such as large equipment. Besides low interest rates and long payback periods, what makes them attractive to small business owners is... Read more...

Treasure Coast Business named best new magazine in state

Treasure Coast Business Magazine, a publication of Indian River Magazine Inc., has been named the best new magazine in the state by the Florida Magazine Association.

The general excellence award was announced July 24 during the FMA’s annual awards ceremony. Read more...

AGRICULTURE

Local citrus, cattle industries holding own against pandemic

The two big agricultural industries on the Treasure Coast, citrus and cattle, have so far weathered the impact of COVID-19, even as cattle prices plunged in March and April and as growers and packers are on guard for the pandemic’s affect once the citrus season resumes in October, industry participants said.

Day-to-day life for citrus growers and cattle ranchers and their workers has not changed much since the virus began to... Read more...

NONPROFITS

Pandemic forces nonprofit organizations to find alternate ways to fund services

Nonprofit organizations typically rely on one major event to raise the bulk of funds needed to support their services for the upcoming year. And the month of March is the most popular time to hold those events. But March of 2020 will forever be remembered as the year the world shut down due to COVID-19. Businesses were closed, events were canceled and people were asked to stay at home to contain the spread of the virus.

As the state reopens, businesses implement new pandemic policies and apply for government loans to... Read more...

DEVELOPMENT

St. Lucie County launches Port of Fort Pierce master plan update

The central question facing St. Lucie County as it updates the Port of Fort Pierce master plan is how the port will handle future economic and social opportunities.

The port, which is one of Florida’s 14 deepwater seaports, was initially created as a maritime freight and logistics center to ship agricultural products and cargo from the Treasure Coast. It now functions as a hybrid of working waterfront elements and community infrastructure. It is unlike most traditional cargo- and cruise-dominant seaports in Florida. Read more...

FINANCE

Nonprofit fund provides loans and mentoring for Black business owners

Trey Alston, BBIF

Established in 1987, the Black Business Investment Fund of Florida is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that has successfully developed, capitalized and trained minority and underbanked businesses statewide for 30 years.

A Black business and investment corporation, BBIF was created through the Florida Small and Minority Business Act in 1985. This act was a response to the reality that Black business owners were being overlooked by large, traditional lenders, making it nearly impossible for them to obtain financing for their businesses. Read more...

FLORIDA SBDC

Spike Schultheis

Absence of a succession plan could be costly and put company future in jeopardy

 

Succession planning isn’t just for family businesses and large corporations. Many small business owners don’t plan for what will happen to their companies during a prolonged illness or after their deaths. Unforeseen circumstances could put their businesses at risk of shutting down. Read more...

Chauncelor Howell

BEST PRACTICES

Tips to help small businesses in today’s tumultuous world

Owning a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest is extremely challenging for any small business owner and its employees. Unlike technology companies, most small businesses do not have the technical infrastructure to support virtual business operations during a complete shutdown.

Small business owners had no idea how disruptive a pandemic would be — literally destroying businesses and livelihoods overnight. How does a small business survive during a deadly pandemic? Here are five suggestions to help save small businesses. Read more...

FLORIDA SBDC

Guide to business resiliency in times of disaster

• Cash Management • Pricing and Cost Containment • Supply Chain Management • Marketing Read more...

COVID-19 RELIEF AND RECOVERY

Small business guide to Covid-19

Tips to Do Right Now to Stay Afloat. SBA Loan Programs explained. Read more...

 

Tom Kindred, right, regional director for Florida SBDC at IRSC, interviews Melissa Roberts, managing director of operations, Jim Moran Institute, and Michael Myhre

Florida Small Business Development Center

STAY TUNED FOR ALL THINGS BUSINESS

Want to be in the know about Treasure Coast business? Then tune in to WPSL and WSTU for Startup Talk, a weekly business talk show entering its fifth year of broadcasting.

Startup Talk has broadcast more than 175 live episodes of the program. The show was designed and created to promote and create awareness regarding the business assistance and resource programs available at Indian River State College under the Dan K. Richardson Entrepreneurship Development Institute. Read more...


Treasure Coast Business Magazine Summer 2019

Interview

Interview on Aug. 16, 2019 with Indian River Magazine Publisher Gregory Enns about the company’s new business publication, Treasure Coast Business Magazine, on Tom Kindred’s “Startup Talk’’ show on WPSL radio. Read more...

 

All Florida Fire Arms & Training

 

Archives


Thank you for supporting these Treasure Coast Business magazine advertisers

AUTOMOTIVE
St. Lucie Battery & Tire
800.432.1064
slbt.com

BANKING
SouthState Bank
800.277.2175
SouthStateBank.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
772.336.6250
youredc.com

Treasure Coast Manufacturers Association
772.336.6250
tcmamfg.com

CUSTOM CLOSETS/CABINETRY
Artistic Closets
772.692.8447
artisticlosests.com

GOLF CARTS
Champion Golf Carts
772.283.1107
championgolfcart.com

Total Golf Cart
772.778.0468
totalgolfcart.com

GOVERNMENT
Saint Lucie County Property Appraiser
772.462.1000
paslc.org

HEALTHCARE/HOSPICE CARE
Treasure Coast Hospice
772.403.4500
treasurehealth.org

LAW OFFICES
Fee, Yates, & Fee, P.L.
772.461.5020
feeyateslaw.com

PRINTING/SIGNS
Fast Signs of Vero Beach
772.774.7554
fastsigns.com/2222

RADIO
WQCS
888.286.8936
wqcs.org

REAL ESTATE
Oceanside Realty Partners
772.418.4420
oceansiderealtypartners.com

Waterpointe Realty
772.528.6914
marissacorbo.com

STONE WORK & GRANITE
Real Stone & Granite
Real Stone Monuments
772.489.9964
realstoneandgranite.com



Thank you for supporting these Indian River Magazine and Port St. Lucie Magazine advertisers
AIR CONDITIONING
All American Air & Electric
772.878.5143
aaaeinc.com

Miller's Central Air
772.785.8080
millerscentralair.com

AIRPORTS/AVIATION
Palm Beach International Airport
561.471.7400
pbia.org

ART GALLERIES/ARTISTS
A.E. Backus Museum
772.465.0630
backusmuseum.com

Florida Art Exchange
772.349.2632
FloridaArtExchange.com

Vero Beach Museum of Art
772.231.0707
vbmuseum.org

ATTRACTIONS
Manatee Observation & Education Center
772.429.6266
manateeeducationcenter.org

Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens
772.337.1959
pslbg.org

Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council
863.763.3959
visitokeechobeecounty.com

AUCTIONS
Confiscated Assets Auctioneers
772.337.5515
2bidonit.com

AUTO DEALERS
Bev Smith Automotive Group
772.464.8440
bevsmithtoyota.com

AUTOMOTIVE
St. Lucie Battery & Tire
800.432.1064
slbt.com

BANKING
SouthState Bank
800.277.2175
SouthStateBank.com

BEVERAGES
Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co.
800.FRESHHH
oijc.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County
772.336.6250
youredc.com

BUTCHER SHOP
A Butcher Shoppe & A Bit More
772.794.0040
abutchershoppeandabitmore.com

CANDY/ CONFECTIONARY
Bruno’s Chocolate
772.466.4222
choctc.com

CASINOS
Seminole Brighton Casino
800.360.9875 seminolebrightoncasino.com

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce
772.595.9999
stluciechamber.org

CITRUS/PRODUCE
Nelson Family Farms
772.464.2100
nelsonfamilyfarms.com

DENTAL
Aesthetic Dentistry of Stuart
772.463.4026
stuartdentistry.com

Great Smile Dental
772.621.2486
greatsmiledental.net

DIVE & WATERSPORTS
Deep Six
772.562.2883
deepsix.com

EDUCATION
Indian River State College
866.792.4772
irsc.edu

FURNITURE
Danish Furniture Inc.
772.464.5713
danishfurniturestore.com

Mattress Market
772.562.6007
772.217.2877
mymattressmarket.com

Paradise Home & Patio
772.409.4618
paradisehomeandpatio.com

Sunshine Furniture
772.569.0460
sunshinefurniturecasual.com

GOLF CARTS
Champion Golf Carts
772.283.1107
championgolfcart.com

Total Golf Cart
772.778.0468
totalgolfcart.com

GOVERNMENT
St. Lucie County Property Appraiser
772.462.1000
paslc.org

GRILL CLEANING
Florida Native Grill Cleaning

772.285.2726
floridanativegrill.com

HEALTH CARE/HOME CARE
A Moment’s Notice Healthcare
772.978.9092
amnhc.com

Indian River Home Care
772.569.3885
772.492.6120
indianriverhomecare.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT
Artistic Closets
772.692.8447
artisticlosests.com

HOSPITALS
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health System
772.345.8100
martinhealth.org

INDEPENDENT/ASSISTED LIVING
The Palms of St. Lucie West
772.344.7441
thepalmsofstluciewest.com

INSURANCE
Geico Insurance - Maggie Deng
772.400.6680
geico.com/vero-beach-deng

McCall Insurance
772.562.4477
mccallagencyinc.com

INTERIOR DESIGN/FURNISHINGS
H. Allen Holmes, Inc.
772.245.8586
hallenholmesinc.com

JEWELRY
Diamonds by Terry
772.781.1133
diamondsbyterry.com

St. Lucie Jewelry and Coins
772.336.2050
772.337.4700
stluciejewelryandcoins.com

LAW OFFICES
Fee, Yates, & Fee, P.L.
772.461.5020
feeyateslaw.com

Florida Personal Injury Law Team
772.302.2700
tomslawteam.com

Rossway Swan
772.231.4440
321.984.2700
RosswaySwan.com

LUMBER & HARDWARE
East Coast Lumber
772.461.5950
eastcoastlumber.com

MARINA
The Cay Marine
772.664.3029
thecaymarine.com

MEDICAL
Mid-County Health
772.409.4774
midcountyhealth.com

Ocean Chiropractic & Health Center
772.460.9000
oceanchiropracticandhealth.com

Orthopaedic Center of Vero Beach
772.778.2009
orthocentervb.com

MUNICIPALITIES
City of Fort Pierce
772.467.3000
Cityoffortpierce.com

City of Port St. Lucie
772.871.5225
cityofpsl.com

NON-PROFITS
Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County
772.408.1100
cscslc.org

Family Meals
772.210.0900
familymealsinc.org

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation
772.466.9876
hboifoundation.org

Treasure Coast Food Bank
stophunger.org

Treasure Coast Hospice
772.403.4500
treasurehealth.org

OPHTHALMOLOGY
New Vision Eye Center
772.257.8700
newvisioneyecenter.com
cataractsurgeryverobeach.com

PERFORMING ARTS
Riverside Theatre
772.231.6990
riversidetheatre.com

Sunrise Theatre
772.461.4775
sunrisetheatre.com

PLASTIC SURGERY
Vinyard Institute of Plastic Surgery
772.212.8472
plasticsurgeryvips.com

PRINTING/SIGNS
Fast Signs of Vero Beach
772.774.7554
fastsigns.com/2222

RADIO
WQCS
888.286.8936
wqcs.org

REAL ESTATE
Keller Williams Realty at Port St. Lucie
561.379.6875
561.779.0309
teambroomfield.kw.com

John’s Island Real Estate Co.
772.231.0900
johnsislandrealestate.com

Oceanside Realty Partners
772.418.4420
oceansiderealtypartners.com

RESTAURANTS
Crabby's Dockside
772.252.5672
crabbysdocksideftpierce.com

Ocean Grill
772.231.5409
ocean-grill.com

Sharky's
772.466.2757

The Wet Whistle
thewetwhistlefortpierce.com

SHOPPING
Best Value Jewelry & Pawn
772.467.1199
772.340.2424
bestvaluepawn.net

Kemp’s
772.221.9973
kempsshoesalon.com

SHUTTERS/WINDOW TREATMENTS
Florida Shutters Inc.
772.569.2200
floridashuttersinc.com

Impact Experts
772.285.9342
impactglassexperts.com

Storm Smart
855.365.SMART
stormsmart.com

STONE WORK & GRANITE
Real Stone & Granite
Real Stone Monuments
772.489.9964
realstoneandgranite.com

WEDDING/VENUES
The Crane Club
772.200.2662
craneclubattesoro.com

ADVERTISING AGENCIES
Adams Media Group
772.492.6570
adamsmediagroup.com

Idea Garden
772.778.2832
ideaga.com

Nicolace Marketing, Inc.
772.299.4889

Pathos 561.688.2880
wearepathos.com