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. Treasure Coast Business Magazine, which launched in July 2019, is produced through a unique partnership between Indian River Magazine Inc. and the Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College. The magazine is published quarterly: in January, April, July and October.

In each issue, the professional writers from the Indian River Magazine staff write about current business stories of the day while experts from the Florida Small Business Development Center provide supplementary columns on related issues affecting small business owners and operators. Staff members from both the magazine and the SBDC brainstorm on story topics.

Indian River Magazine Inc. President Gregory Enns and regional SBDC Director Tom Kindred created the concept for the magazine and their work was cited by the Florida Magazine Association, along with the work of writers Bernie Woodall and Anthony Westbury, design editor Michelle Moore Burney and copy editor Patricia Durham.

Treasure Coast Business Magazine is proof that a public/private partnership can work,’’ said Enns, who is also publisher and editor of Treasure Coast Business Magazine. “As newspapers across Florida and the country cut back on their business coverage, Tom and I saw a way to fill the gap on the Treasure Coast.’’

In addition to the published magazine, the Treasure Coast Business staff also produces a web site, TCBusiness.com, and distributes a weekly e-newsletter that reaches nearly 10,000 readers.

“The Florida SBDC at IRSC is proud to be a part of the unique private/public partnership that created and launched Treasure Coast Business Magazine,” said Kindred. “Combining Indian River Magazine’s award winning publication experience with the Florida SBDC at IRSC’s business consulting, tools, and support programs helped create the “Go To” publication for Treasure Coast business leaders, owners and operators.”

During the annual awards ceremony, Indian River Magazine Inc. also received a bronze award for the annual St. Lucie Travel Guide produced in partnership with St. Lucie County Tourism. The award cited the work of Charlotte Bireley, director of tourism for the county, Tayler A. Hardison, content and digital specialist for the tourism office, and Michelle Moore Burney, design editor for Indian River Magazine Inc.

Besides Indian River Magazine, Treasure Coast Business Magazine and the St. Lucie Travel Guide, Indian River Magazine Inc. also produces Port St. Lucie Magazine, Fort Pierce Magazine, the playbill for the Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce and the program for the Emerson Center in Vero Beach.