Monthly Archives: March 2022

St. Lucie County Expands the Foreign Trade Zone to Encompass Entire Treasure Coast

St. Lucie County Expands the Foreign Trade Zone to Encompass Entire Treasure Coast

 

The International Trade Association recently announced that St. Lucie County’s Foreign Trade Zone #218 has been approved by the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zones Board for reorganization under its Alternative Site Framework, allowing for the expedited designation of sites for companies ready to conduct Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) activities.

The service area for the newly reorganized FTZ #218 has been broadened to encompass all of St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties, extending significant potential benefits to the Port of Fort Pierce and Treasure Coast International Airport & Business Park.

“Foreign Trade Zone #218 will now become a powerful economic development tool for the entire Treasure Coast, and, in particular, will support the dramatic and continued growth of manufacturing in St. Lucie County,” said St. Lucie County Commission Chair Sean Mitchell.

“Foreign Trade Zone benefits are key for manufacturers interested in exporting their goods. The expansion of our FTZ will help the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) recruit manufacturers who can bring high-wage jobs to the county,” added St. Lucie Economic Development Council President Pete Tesch. “This is particularly good news at a time when supply chain challenges are impacting existing manufacturing businesses and as companies look for alternative locations to the congestion in South Florida.”

The FTZ designation provides federal tax relief on merchandise that is shipped through the federally-approved zone. The new “Alternative Site Framework” designation provides considerably more flexibility for companies looking to benefit from an FTZ.

St. Lucie County’s original FTZ designation was approved in October of 1996 under the Central Florida Foreign Trade Zone, Inc at the St. Lucie County Airport. The FTZ Board changed its name in 2012 to the Treasure Coast Foreign Trade Zone, Inc. St. Lucie County is now the grantee of the FTZ.

Businesses with questions about Foreign Trade Zone #218 should contact St. Lucie County Air & Seaport Executive Director J. Stanley “Stan” Payne at [email protected] or 772-462-1450.

 

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at https://tcbusiness.com tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email mailto:[email protected] [email protected]
Mar. 7, 2022|

Start of Construction Underway at Newfield

Start of Construction Underway at Newfield

 

 

Five years after Knight Kiplinger presented his vision for Newfield to the citizens of Martin County, and more than a year after the county commissioners approved the Master Site Plan for Phase 1, construction work began last fall and is moving forward.

But don’t go looking for new houses yet, because the early work is almost invisible–the laying of pipes for public water and sewer, fire hydrants, as well as for telecommunications lines, etc.

Then comes the creation of stormwater retention lakes, waterways, grading for the town center, and the laying out of streets, blocks and village greens.

“I’m pleased that so many local folks are enthusiastic about Newfield and impatient for it to get underway. But I remind them of how long it takes to build a high-quality new town–not just the government review and approvals, but the careful design and engineering of the community. And after homebuilding begins, it will be a gradual, decade-long build-out.” – Knight Kiplinger

The utility work is the first, vital infrastructure for a new town, and it’s progressing west along Citrus Boulevard, from Citrus Grove Elementary and Park, almost two miles to where the town center will start to grow next year. After the utility trenches were filled and sodded over, the only indication of completed work are the new yellow fire hydrants of Martin County Utilities.

Following plans done by Shaun MacKenzie of MacKenzie Engineering and Planning, Inc., of Palm City, the work is being performed by Felix Associates of Stuart, one of numerous regional contractors that bid on the Newfield infrastructure.

“We were pleased to select Felix for several reasons,” said Knight Kiplinger. “They have a great reputation, are local, and were able to assure us they could get the piping, which is in short supply during this national construction boom.”

The utility work, in the broad right of way of Citrus Boulevard, is not disturbing the current agricultural operations of Newfield, some of which will continue after the new town is built, since agriculture will be a key component of the Kiplinger vision.

Tommy Smith’s herd of cattle are watching the work along Citrus, where pastures will remain at Citrus and Boat Ramp Avenue as part of the Newfield Master Plan and its 2,000+ acres of open space (some 70% of the total acreage).

Farmer John Long, of Agri-Gators, Inc. who grows potatoes on leased land at Newfield, will complete this winter growing season before his acreage is reduced next year by grading for the town center.
You can watch the story on start of construction via WPTV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7uFgYYcUEc

Kiplinger and Commissioner Ed Ciampi, whose Palm City district will include Newfield, recently spoke to Jon Shainman of Channel 5 WPTV(NBC in West Palm Beach) about the start of construction.

During the interview, a curious alligator did some sunbathing along one of the current ag canals.

Almost all of the new town will arise on former farmland north of Citrus, not on the natural lands–slash pines, saw palmettos, sabal palms and prairie–south of the boulevard, which will be preserved forever (and traversed by trails) in the Kiplinger Conservancy.

In the far northwest corner of the Conservancy, there will be a gopher tortoise sanctuary where tortoises removed from other development projects will be relocated.

After the utilities are completed shortly, work will begin on creating a network of waterways–connected lakes and canals for visual beauty, recreation, and stormwater retention during rainy seasons.

The fill from digging the waterways will raise the level of the new town center a few feet. The first of these lakes will be north of Citrus, and some will eventually be dug on part of the open land south of Citrus, across from the new town.

While all of this is going on, Knight and his team are advancing the design of new county playing fields and the look of the town center, with its mix of various housing types and neighborhood retail.

For the economic vitality of Martin County, there is considerable market interest in Newfield’s light-industrial land that lies along the Florida Turnpike, called Martin Enterprise Park.

It will be attractive to a variety of employers and their business needs, ranging from warehouse space to research & development and light manufacturing.

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at https://tcbusiness.com tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email mailto:[email protected] [email protected]
Mar. 7, 2022|

Bank of America is First Financial Institution Certified by J.D. Power for Customer Satisfaction

Bank of America is First Financial Institution Certified by J.D. Power for Customer Satisfaction

Bank recognized for comprehensive client experience centered around financial wellness

 

BOA LogoBank of America is the first financial institution to be certified by J.D. Power for financial health support, according to the J.D. Power Financial Health Support Certification Program. Bank of America is committed to helping clients make better financial decisions.

The J.D. Power Financial Health Support Certification Program, developed in collaboration with Financial Health Network, a leading authority on financial health, focuses on measuring and understanding customer experiences through the lens of financial health. Drawing on data and insights collected as part of the J.D. Power Financial Health and Advice Program, the J.D. Power Financial Health Support Certification recognized Bank of America for outstanding levels of customer satisfaction with financial health support offerings.

“At Bank of America, we have centered our entire client experience around the goal of financial health. We listen to our clients and respond with the personalized advice and tools they need to achieve financial wellness,” said Holly O’Neill, President of Retail Banking at Bank of America. “This certification recognizes our commitment to supporting financial health using a multifaceted approach. We provide educational resources and financial solutions that help clients build sound financial habits, manage their cashflow and pursue their goals.”

In its analysis, J.D. Power compared 96 best practices among banks, assessing vision, performance, infrastructure, and solutions. They looked at leadership commitment and strategic direction to support customers’ financial health and assessed internal capabilities, collaborative tools, and product development processes that can lead to it.

Bank of America uses a holistic framework for supporting the financial health of its clients, providing advice and guidance to address five key pillars of financial health:

In the J.D. Power Financial Health and Advice study, released in June 2021, Bank of America ranked number one nationally for retail banking customer satisfaction with the advice and guidance provided by national and regional banks in the United States.

J.D. Power 2021 Financial Health Support Certification℠ is based on exceeding customer experience benchmarks using client surveys and a best practices verification. For more information, visit jdpower.com/awards.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers, approximately 16,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 33 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at https://tcbusiness.com tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email mailto:[email protected] [email protected]

 

 

Mar. 7, 2022|

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County announces Keynote for Youth of the Year Celebration 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County announces Keynote for Youth of the Year Celebration 

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County announced a keynote speaker for the Youth of the Year award dinner and celebration, Caleb Wesco. The annual event will be held live on Thursday, March 10, 6-8 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, Ross Hall. 623 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart.

Palm Beach County native and Boys & Girls Club Alumni Caleb Wesco is known for his most energetic, educational, and inspiring keynote engagements and presentations. Since becoming a dynamic motivational speaker more than ten years ago, he has traveled to 45 states and international destinations like London and Zimbabwe, sharing his motivational message with as many people, especially students, as he can. He has been featured five times in Teachers Matter Magazine and on local television as a speaker and philanthropist.

"I'm committed to inspiring people, motivating them, and helping them unlock the best version of themselves," says Wesco. "With that commitment, everything else will fall in line."

"Wesco's motto is Let's Get Motivated," says Jeronda Hill, BGCMC Area Director and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer. "Incredibly engaging and energetic, he encourages the audience to get the MOST out of life. And we are thrilled he can come and inspire our Youth of the Year, Class of 2022, and event attendees."

The annual Youth of the Year is one of BGCMC's signature programs recognizing members who exemplify the Boys & GirlsClub's mission. A celebration of the extraordinary achievements of Club teens, those who earn the Youth of the Year title embody core club values of good character and citizenship, academic excellence, and healthy lifestyles.

 

BGCMC Class of 2022 includes: 

  • Nereida A., representing the Bill & Barbara Whitman Club, Indiantown
  • Javien E., representing the John & Marge Bolton Club, Port Salerno Club
  • Fredd G., representing the Cole-Clark Club, Hobe Sound

Nereida, a junior at Southfork High School, has served as a KeystoneClub advisor, JuniorStaff, soccer aide, and community volunteer. Nereida credits the Club for believing in her and as a result, helping her blossom into a strong young woman and emerging leader. "My Club has taught me the importance of giving back," she says. "I lead my peers in keeping our neighborhood clean, helping with the soccer program, and helping with the arts program."

Javien has served as vice president of SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), Torch Club member, and Honor Roll student. "The Club has helped me mature from being closed-off," he said. "It has allowed me to open up and grow as a person. I want to help younger members and my siblings because I am passionate about being involved in the Boys & Girls Club because I know it helped me grow up into the leader I am today."

Fredd is president of the Torch Club and SWAT, Team Captain, Culinary Assistant, and poet. He is an immigrant from Peru and understands the importance of perseverance while having an open mind and a kind heart. Fredd feels that great leaders influence others to be better and that his Club leaders always remind him to be a positive influence wherever he goes. "I am lucky to be a part of Boys & Girls Clubs," says Fredd. "I always look forward to coming to the Club, and they always make me feel better. The Club has given me the greatest council and support I would ever need."

Youth of the Year would not be possible without the community-minded and generous support of sponsors. 2022 sponsors includes Presenting & Blue Carpet Sponsor- The Arati Hammond Team at Keller Williams Real Estate, and our Thrive Sponsors are Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, PNC Bank, Publix Super Markets Charities, Casco Tools, and Carol Webb.

Tickets for the program are $75 per person or $125 for two tickets and are available online at www.bgcmartin.org/YOY2022. Sponsor opportunities remain and may also be found online or by emailing [email protected].

 

About BGCMC 

For more than 30 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County has provided award-winning programs designed to guide and inspire young people ages 6-18 to learn, grow and mature in route to becoming successful adults. Each of the four clubs enjoys strong partnerships with local schools and communities. Such cohesion ensures that Boys & Girls Clubs' programs complement and enrich the curriculum our members learn in class and remain attuned to the challenges and opportunities they face on a day-today basis. The clubs offer opportunities for fun, fitness, STEAM activities, and certified teachers work with club members on everything from tutoring and homework help to specialized courses that prepare them for careers in various trades.

 

 

Treasure Coast Business is a news service and magazine published in print, via e-newsletter and online at https://tcbusiness.com tcbusiness.com by Indian River Media Group. For more information or to report news email mailto:[email protected] [email protected]

 

Mar. 7, 2022|