Russ Blackburn honored with Pete Hegener Leadership Award

Russ Blackburn, Port St. Lucie’s recently retired city manager, was presented with the prestigious Pete Hegener Leadership Award by the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) 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 St. Lucie County’s economy and quality of life. The annual dinner and celebration, held at the Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club and attended by approximately 200, was sponsored by Bank of America.

EDC’s eighth annual Pete Hegener Leadership Award winner Rob Lord presented the award to Blackburn, who was nominated by multiple community members.

Blackburn’s career in public service has spanned almost five decades. Starting out as a planning and community development staffer, he served in deputy administrator roles in South Carolina; Lee County, Florida; and Virginia prior to his appointment as Martin County Administrator in 1997. During his eight-year tenure in Martin County, he increased citizen satisfaction levels by 43%, received the 2003 International City/County Management Association (ICMA) award for intergovernmental cooperation, and led the post Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne recovery efforts.

Blackburn left Martin County in 2005 to become Gainesville’s city manager where he assisted the city in gaining recognition as one of the top municipalities in the nation. During his 10 years with the city, he developed innovative leadership and emerging leaders programs.

In 2016, as the city of Port St. Lucie reached the 200,000-population mark and struggled with significant financial challenges such as a dormant 1,200-acre jobs corridor, a vacant research facility for which the city had guaranteed the debt, and a city center mired in legal problems, Blackburn was hired as city manager. Utilizing a team approach and strong organizational development skills, Blackburn’s leadership was a major factor in the city’s recovery and economic progress.

At the time Blackburn retired earlier this year, only approximately 250 acres of developable land remained unspoken for in the jobs corridor in Southern Grove, with millions of dollars in property values already created and thousands of jobs anticipated. The research centers are thriving under the direction of Cleveland Clinic and the Florida Institute of Technology with more than 140 scientists and staff engaged in high-level bio-science studies. And, after successful negotiations with multiple tax certificate holders led by Blackburn, Port St. Lucie was able to acquire city center from a federal receiver and begin planning for its future development.

“He left a legacy of taking challenges, turning them into opportunities, and ultimately success stories,” read one nomination. “Throughout his six-year tenure in Port St. Lucie, he continued to support and inspire the next generation of public servants and built an award-winning city team.”

Another nomination focused on the long-awaited creation of a jobs corridor: Russ’s leadership “accelerated the development of Tradition, brought in taxes much earlier and gave the residents of the city of Port St. Lucie and county opportunities to work closer to home so much earlier than expected.”

The dozen members of the EDC leadership selection committee chose Blackburn as the person who best embodies the leadership and vision of the award’s namesake, Pete Hegener, from a field of 11 nominees, including four other semi-finalists: Charlotte Bireley, St. Lucie County tourism and marketing director; Philip Busch, Southern Eagle Distributing president; Larry Lee Jr., State Farm agent; and the late Anthony F. Sansone Sr., Sansone Group founder.

Recent Hegener Award recipients include Michael Minton, shareholder at Dean, Mead, Minton & Moore; the late Bud Adams of Adams Ranch; Ken Pruitt, former Florida Senate president and former St. Lucie County property appraiser; and Tammy Roncaglione, CenterState Bank community president.

In addition to Bank of America’s presenting sponsorship, other leadership dinner award sponsors were Ashley Capital; Dean, Mead, Minton & Moore; PGA Golf Club; Apfelbaum Law; Broward, Palm Beaches and St. Lucie REALTORS®; Carr, Riggs & Ingram; Culpepper & Terpening Inc.; Florida Power & Light Company; GL Homes; Hi-Tide Boat Lifts; OCULUS Surgical; Seacoast Bank; UES; BBL Medical Facilities®; Comcast Business and the Tambone Companies.

About the award

The recipient of the Pete Hegener Leadership Award exemplifies the qualities of a visionary, a trusted role model and leader whose inspiration and achievements impact the quality of job creation, economic vitality and business growth.

Pete Hegener, the man whose actions inspired this award, was a founding member and integral partner of the EDC, served on the Board of Directors, and was an Executive Committee member. Pete was a pillar of the St. Lucie County community, having played a key role in the development of western St. Lucie County and Tradition. Friends and colleagues described him as “honest, visionary, and caring.” He passed away in March 2012, but his legacy is recognized through this award.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality in St. Lucie County through the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in the community. The EDC works in partnership with local governments and the private sector to advance its goals of creating more and better-paying jobs for residents, broadening the tax base and improving St. Lucie County’s economic quality of life. Contact the EDC at 772.336.6250, [email protected] or www.youredc.com.

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

May. 25, 2023|

Port St. Lucie welcomes innovative human milk processing company

LactaLogics co-founder Glenn Snow (at right) during one of the company’s three human milk processing pilot runs at the TetraPak Pilot Plant in Denton, Texas. The TetraPak technology will be installed in LactaLogics new processing facility in Port St. Lucie.

LactaLogics, a mission-driven company dedicated to bringing more human milk to babies, is opening its headquarters and processing facility in Port St. Lucie.

“Although breast milk is vital to the health of premature infants, most rely on cow’s milk-based formula for nutrition due to the lack of access to human milk. To address this need, LactaLogics plans to collect excess milk from qualified donor moms across the United States and then gently process the milk to meet the unique needs of premature infants,” said LactaLogics co-founder Chelly Snow.

“The goal is to make more human milk available to hospital NICUs (neonatal intensive care units) and parents across the country. Families will finally have better access to human milk-based products, helping to improve the health of newborns while supporting moms who struggle with breastfeeding,” Snow said.

With multiple patents filed, the company has tested and refined its systems and will build its facility at the former Liberty Medical building at 8883 U.S. Highway 1. Significant capital and equipment investments, extensive renovations and upgrades are planned for the 60,000-square-foot building. The company plans to hire an additional 60 full-time workers at 107% of St. Lucie County’s average wage.

“Port St. Lucie is the ideal home for us because it offers critical infrastructure and a desired workforce,” said Snow. “We’re excited to build a high-tech manufacturing facility, bringing more jobs to the Treasure Coast.”

“It’s an excellent project. It’s definitely something that is very different than we are used to seeing. It’s going to serve a great need, not only in our community but probably around the entire country,” said Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin during the March 27 city council meeting. “It’s very exciting to see development happening on the east side. I think, coupled with what’s going to come forward with our master plan with City Center, it’s going to really boost the entire area.”

“We always talk about local businesses and local citizens having the opportunity to bring their business to Port St. Lucie. The owners of LactaLogics are residents of Councilwoman Morgan’s district,” said Port St. Lucie Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo. “It’s wonderful to know we are going to have a new business utilizing an old space that’s needed to be filled for a while, providing jobs and, more importantly, economic impact to the eastern side of the city.”

“The Economic Development Council has been working with LactaLogics, as Project Gala, for more than a year and we are proud to have the headquarters and processing facilities for a company with such a compelling mission located here in Port St. Lucie,” said Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “The opening of LactaLogics also adds to our community’s growing life sciences sector, joining Cleveland Clinic’s Florida Research and Innovation Center and Florida International University’s Center for Translational Science.”

The incentive package for LactaLogics will include expedited site plan and permitting; ad valorem tax exemptions for tangible personal property only at 100% for the first five years, then at 90%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% for the next five years; mobility and impact fee mitigation and an opportunity for a Job Growth Investment Grant.

About LactaLogics

LactaLogics is on a mission to improve the lives of the world’s smallest, most vulnerable patients. Dedicated to purpose-driven, transparent, and collaborative practices, the company combines innovative technology and holistic donor care to bring more human milk to babies. For more information, visit www.LactaLogics.com.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

The EDC is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting economic vitality in St. Lucie County through the attraction, retention and expansion of businesses in the community. The EDC works in partnership with local governments and the private sector to advance its goals of creating more and better-paying jobs for residents, broadening the tax base and improving St. Lucie County’s economic quality of life. Contact the EDC at 772.336.6250 or www.youredc.com.

Mar. 30, 2023|

Total Truck Parts breaks ground in PSL

Total Truck Parts executives Marc Karon, Tom Gibson, Leo Cordeiro and Dennis Imbody break ground for the company’s new 47,000-square-foot facility on Glades Cutoff Road in Port St. Lucie.

Officials from Total Truck Parts and local dignitaries broke ground in Port St. Lucie, Florida, for the company’s largest facility.

After an almost two-year-long search, the employee-owned company with six locations in central and South Florida selected a 6-acre site in Midway Business Park to build its third company-owned facility. The 47,000-square-foot building will include a 5,000-square-foot showroom, 16 heavy truck and trailer repair bays, a large area for hydraulic and drive line repair, and extensive warehouse space for parts.

“This new building is necessary to address the significant growth on Florida’s Treasure Coast,” said Total Truck Parts Chairman and President Marc Karon. “It is also key to our multifaceted growth strategy of expanding our shop repair capability with repair bays and shop services, as well as maintaining a deep inventory of parts to better serve our diverse customer base.”

“Our team is most excited about the continued company investment in growth and all the new opportunities that will be available to us with a facility of this size and functionality,” said CEO Leo Cordeiro. Completion of the new facility is anticipated in late 2023.

Founded in 2002, Total Truck Parks has grown to be the largest independently owned commercial truck parts and repair business in the southeastern United States. The company employs a total of 106, of which 14 currently work in the neighboring city of Fort Pierce. The new Port St. Lucie location will have the potential to more than double local employment to 30, with wages at 25% above St. Lucie County’s average wage. Capital investment for the facility is estimated at $6 million plus additional investment for equipment and interior buildout.

“Total Truck Parts chose a fantastic location for their new facility, within a drive of just two miles to Interstate 95, so their customers can be back on the road and back in business quickly,” said Port St. Lucie Council Member David Pickett. “We are also very happy to be able to keep the company’s existing 14 local employees at work within the county and look forward to all the new jobs that will be created at this new facility.”

“It’s always exciting to see a local company grow, and we are very glad to be able to accommodate that growth within St. Lucie County,” said Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “Total Truck Parts has been a thriving local employer for decades and the company’s investment in a new state-of-the-art facility here, the largest one in their portfolio, is the most rewarding kind of economic development of all. Richard K. Davis Construction Corp. of Fort Pierce is the general contractor for the project.

About Total Truck Parts

Total Truck Parts is the leading supplier of parts and service for commercial vehicles in Florida and the largest independently owned commercial truck parts and repair business in southeast Florida. Founded in 2002, the award-winning company’s value proposition is based on offering quality parts equivalent to, or superior than, the original equipment parts, along with a broad range of repair services and a deep inventory of parts that give its customers the opportunity to achieve their goals with one supplier. Total Truck Parts has six locations in Florida. Its more than 100 employee-owners have been providing world-class customer service in the Florida market for many years, accruing extensive product knowledge to diagnose problems and provide solutions for today’s complicated vehicles. For more information, visit www.totaltruckparts.net.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

Mar. 23, 2023|

Piper Aircraft sees steady growth in 2022

Piper Aircraft

Vero Beach-based Piper Aircraft Inc. has announced a 15% increase in aircraft deliveries in 2022 over 2021. In addition, Piper incorporated innovative updates to their flagship aircraft, the M600/SLS, and provided support to more than 25 philanthropic organizations that best embody the company’s values and mission. In 2023, Piper continues to see backlog for the M-Class lineup deep into 2024 and trainer aircraft reaching into 2025 and beyond.

The M-Class product line includes the turbocharged and pressurized piston M350, the entry-level M500 turboprop, and the M600/SLS, featuring the HALO Safety System with Garmin Autoland. In total, 69 M-Class aircraft were delivered over the course of the year. This includes 19 M350s, 9 M500s, and 41 M600/SLSs, 43 of which were delivered domestically and 26 internationally.

In the trainer lineup—including the diverse Archer family (Archer DX, DLX, LX, and TX), the value-priced Pilot 100i, and the multi-engine Seminole—Piper delivered 167 total aircraft, with 150 delivered domestically and 17 internationally. Piper saw existing flight school customers grow their fleet, such as ATP Flight School, Spartan College, and American Flyers, as well as welcomed new customers to the Piper Flight School Alliance, including Thrust Flight and Fly Gateway.

“Growth in our two primary aircraft markets is of paramount importance to Piper Aircraft,” said Piper President and Chief Executive Officer John Calcagno. “Despite the supply chain and labor challenges our industry faced this year, we were still able to deliver our aircraft as promised, create valuable enhancements across our product lineup, and pass these improvements to our Piper dealer partner network and retail customers.”

Product highlights included the M600/SLS receiving FAA approval on a Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), defining an easier pathway to enter the aircraft into Part 135 charter service. The M600/SLS also gained unpaved field approval in Q4 of 2022, expanding the value of an already capable aircraft. Together with these improvements, Piper Aircraft announced their collaboration with CAE to engineer an electric PA-28-181 Archer Supplemental Type Certificate.

Looking into 2023, Piper will be first to market with exciting new innovations in G3000 software on the M600/SLS, which were previewed at NBAA-BACE in Orlando, FL at the end of 2022. Piper also recently announced the integration of an Agile Manufacturing Robot to the PA-46 production line to elevate efficiency and safety throughout the Piper factory in Vero Beach, FL.

In addition to meeting the demands of the 2022 delivery schedule, Piper Aircraft saw success in other elements of the year, focused on our customers and the community. One of these efforts was the inclusion of two new flight schools to the highly successful Piper Brand Ambassador program, the L3 Harris Flight Academy, and long-standing Piper fleet customer, North Star Aviation of Minnesota State University at Mankato. Piper also presented six aviation-focused college scholarships to students in 2022, and will add three more scholarships for local high school students this year.

About the Piper M600/SLS

The Piper M600/SLS with HALO Safety System is the first general aviation aircraft certified with Garmin Autoland. The revolutionary system supports digital technology that safely lands the aircraft at the nearest suitable airport in the event that the pilot is incapacitated. Additionally, the Garmin G3000 avionics suite includes Autothrottle, Autoland, Emergency Descent Mode, Electronic Stability Protection, Surface Watch, and SafeTaxi, all of which are designed to enhance safe operation of the aircraft. Beyond the flight deck, the six-seat M600/SLS is powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-42A 600 SHP engine. The aircraft has a maximum cruise speed of 274 ktas/507 km/h, a max range of 1,658 nm/2,748 km, and a standard useful load of 2,400 lbs/1,089 kg.

About Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Piper Aircraft Inc., headquartered in Vero Beach, FL, offers aviators throughout the world efficient and reliable single- and twin-engine aircraft and is the first general aviation aircraft manufacturer in the world to certify Garmin Autoland. The single-engine M-Class series–the M600/SLS, M500, and M350–offers businesses and individuals elegant performance, value and a superior ownership experience. The Personal Class Archer LX and Archer DLX balance proven performance, efficiency, and simplicity in a piston-powered aircraft. The Trainer Class Pilot 100i, Archer TX, Archer DX, and Seminole aircraft form the most complete technically-advanced line of pilot training aircraft in the world. Piper is a member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. To learn more about Piper Aircraft, visit the company’s website at www.piper.com.

Feb. 23, 2023|

St. Lucie County community makes its mark on the Interstate Commerce Center

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

Dozens of dignitaries gathered along Interstate 95 in Fort Pierce on Feb. 15 to add their signatures to a cornerstone for the Interstate Commerce Center (ICC).

Currently under construction at 3800 Crossroads Parkway in the Crossroads Park of Commerce, the 207,458-square-foot Class-A industrial building has 1,300 feet of clear I-95 frontage and is located in St. Lucie County at the northernmost point where I-95 and Florida’s Turnpike intersect.

The facility is being developed on 12.7 acres by JBL Development and will be managed by JBL Asset Management. Itasca Construction Partners is the general contractor. Designed for mid-size users with space requirements from 20,000 to 200,000 square feet, the facility will be ready for occupancy this spring.

ICC is located within one mile of both Exit 129 on I-95 and Exit 152 on the turnpike. The facility’s location provides for access to Orlando, Fort Myers and Miami within two hours. When complete, the facility will have 32-foot interior clear heights, a 60-foot speed bay, 60 dock-high loading bays, and several at-grade ramps. Separate parking areas and entrances for employees will prioritize safety and visitor experience with a total of 302 parking spaces on site.

“There is currently quite a bit of product being developed for large users, so we are very excited to be able to offer attractive Class-A facilities for mid-size users with I-95 frontage and excellent access to both the interstate and Florida’s Turnpike,” said Michael Rem with JBL Development. “These distinctive and desirable qualities are driving interest from efficiency-minded businesses seeking brand exposure and quick access to Florida’s most densely populated hubs.”

“JBL’s choice of Fort Pierce as the home for this excellent facility was a wise one,” said Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson. “Not only is the Interstate Commerce Center located at the northernmost point where the turnpike and I-95 come together, there is easy access to the Treasure Coast International Airport, the Port of Fort Pierce, the Florida East Coast railroad, our safe Fort Pierce Inlet connecting the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean, and our pristine uncrowded beaches.”

“Since the inception of this project, JBL Asset Management has engaged with the St. Lucie County community to ensure the end users at the Interstate Commerce Center will not only have first-class space to lease in a great location but also have connections to the community to assist with employment and business services,” said Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “Our signatures on the building’s cornerstone are tokens of our ongoing commitment to assist the tenants -- future local employers -- who will be joining us here in the Sunrise City.”

“We are pleased to work with JBL and the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County in taking this top-tier industrial project to market,” said Michael Falk, executive vice president at Colliers. “We anticipate high demand for the facility given its ability to provide for tenants as low as 20,000 square feet with brand new, quality space in Fort Pierce’s booming market with excellent visibility along I-95.” Leasing inquiries can be directed to Falk at 561.478.6400.

About JBL Asset Management

The project’s sponsor and property manager is JBL Asset Management, a privately held, fully integrated commercial real estate services company. Founded in 2005 by Jacob Khotoveli, JBL invests private capital on behalf of itself and its investment partners. JBL is based in South Florida and invests in major metropolitan areas on the eastern half of the United States. Led by a skilled and seasoned management team, the company provides in-house professionals for all aspects of the real estate equation. JBL’s portfolio currently exceeds 4 million square feet of real estate, diversified between asset classes of retail, multifamily and industrial products.

JBL Development, partnered alongside JBL Asset Management, has a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. The company’s reputation has been built on execution within the industry and its portfolio includes 1,100+ multifamily units in various stages of development, 500,000+ square feet of ground up commercial product, and 400,000+ square feet of commercial repositioning projects.

Avenue Property Group is a boutique real estate investment company, founded in 2010 by Daniel Gohari, that specializes in identifying industrial/commercial assets and executing opportunistic strategies designed to maximize value. The group’s investment strategy is governed by extensive knowledge of targeted real estate markets across the United States, with a focus on Florida and New York. The long-term strategic vision is to recognize deficiencies in the real estate and capital markets and implement practical approaches to unlock value. Avenue Property Group owns and is a partner in over 3 million square feet of real estate and is actively looking for opportunities.

Interstate Commerce Center Leasing Inquiries

Colliers Executive Vice President Michael Falk, Executive Vice President Scott Weprin, and Associate Jonathan Temple represent the property owner in leasing opportunities at the property. Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 63 countries, its 18,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. For more than 27 years, the company’s experienced leadership with significant inside ownership has delivered compound annual investment returns of approximately 20% for shareholders. With annual revenues of $4.6 billion and $92 billion of assets under management, Colliers maximizes the potential of property and real assets to accelerate the success of its clients, investors, and people. Contact Michael Falk and Jonathan Temple at 561.478.6400 or [email protected] / [email protected] for leasing inquiries.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

Feb. 16, 2023|

St. Lucie Chamber announces 2023 Legislative Conference March 14 to 16, 2023

St. Lucie Chamber announces
2023 Legislative Conference March 14 to 16, 2023

Each legislative session, we travel to the State Capitol to visit with our legislators and important players on things that matter to us locally. All Chamber members are encouraged to attend this conference. For additional information, contact [email protected] or visit https://www.stuartmartinchamber.org/

Feb. 9, 2023|

Manufacturer Relocates to Indian River County

Board of County Commissioners Approve Jobs Grant Incentive

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Office is pleased to announce that Kessel Medical, Inc. was approved for the county’s Local Jobs Grant incentive. Kessel Medical is a medical device manufacturer that relocated to Vero Beach from Atlanta in late 2021.

In a unanimous decision, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners approved Kessel Medical’s request for a Local Jobs Grant. The company anticipates

hiring 20 new employees over the next three years, at salary levels at or above the county’s average annual wage of $51,000. Using these figures, county staff calculated that Kessel Medical is eligible for a Local Jobs Grant in the amount of up to $106,000, with payments to begin a year after the jobs are filled, paid over a 5-year period. Based on earnings, the Chamber’s Economic Development Office estimated the company’s economic impact at nearly $1.8 million, using a 1.45 multiplier for the manufacturing industry. Medical manufacturing is a targeted industry for Indian River County and the State of Florida.

Kessel Medical produces FDA-approved in-vitro diagnostics and neurosurgical implants for home and hospital use, contracting with other small medical device companies along the U.S. east coast. With 60 years combined experience in the medical industry, over 56 patents issued through the U.S. patent office, numerous national design excellence awards and a generous exit from a prior medical device start-up, the founders “felt that the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey would be best undertaken in the small slice of paradise that is Vero Beach”, explains Jack Griffis, the company’s co-founder and CTO.

“Kessel Medical is extremely pleased with the Commission’s unanimous decision to approve the jobs grant application” continues Mr. Griffis. “Since starting operations in Indian River County earlier this year, Kessel has been able to grow at a much faster rate than originally anticipated. In combination with this accelerated growth, the Jobs Grant will permit Kessel to recruit and retain high quality talent for production, operations engineering, and quality assurance support. We look forward to our upcoming facility expansion as well as bringing to Indian River County more high paying job opportunities for the population at large.”

The Chamber’s Economic Development Office is working with the owners to help them find larger space as they grow their operations.

“We are excited to have Kessel Medical a part of our growing medical community,” notes Helene Caseltine, the Chamber’s Economic Development Director. “With annual salaries paying at or above the county’s average annual wage, this calculates to approximately $1.2 million in new paychecks circulating in our local economy each year, once the company is in full operation.” The company also plans to offer competitive internships and co-operative education employment to local college and university students.

For more information on locating or expanding a business in Indian River County, call Helene Caseltine at the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, 772-567-3491 or visit www.indianrivered.com.

Dec. 9, 2022|

Wes McCurry to join St. Lucie EDC

The City of Port St. Lucie’s community development director, Wesley McCurry, will join the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) as its senior vice president in November. He will lead the organization’s business attraction and retention activities.

McCurry has overseen the rapid development of Port St. Lucie’s jobs corridor since 2018. Prior to that he led planning, development and operations for Tradition on behalf of Fishkind & Associates and as president of the Tradition Development Company. He was also vice president and planning director for Core Communities during the master planning phase of Tradition, transforming 10,000 acres of dying orchards and fallow land into one of St. Lucie County’s most dynamic communities.

“The EDC is exceptionally fortunate to have Wes join our team,” said EDC President Pete Tesch. “We’ve worked side-by-side during his tenure as Port St. Lucie’s community development director and his time with Tradition Development Company to ensure that employers receive professional, high-quality assistance in locating or expanding their facilities in Port St. Lucie. Now, Wes will be available to ably assist in the recruitment of these highly-sought-after companies as well.”

“I have enjoyed seeing the long-planned vision of a jobs corridor along I-95 begin take place over the past four and a half years with the city,” McCurry said. “I am looking forward to continuing these efforts on a larger scale with the EDC and its economic development partnerships to accelerate job retention, creation and economic growth throughout St. Lucie County.”

Port St. Lucie City Manager Russ Blackburn acknowledged McCurry’s significant contributions to the city’s prosperity in a Sept. 26 announcement about the move. “The city’s success in planning and selling land for economic development projects in the Southern Grove jobs corridor is due in part to Wes’s knowledge and tireless efforts,” said Blackburn

McCurry served as chairman of the EDC’s board of directors in 2018. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in urban studies and is a member of the Urban Land Institute where he has served on the Community Development Green Council and the International Council of Shopping Centers. He and his wife Ana have one son.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

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

Sep. 30, 2022|

St. Lucie EDC wins 3 international awards

The Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County (EDC) on Sept. 20 received international recognition for the organization’s efforts, including special recognition as an Economic Development Organization of the Year.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) awarded its prestigious Economic Development Organization of the Year bronze award in the 200,000-500,000 population category to the EDC. The award recognizes a non-profit, public agency with a primary mission of economic development that has demonstrated long-term strategic planning, organizational development, and significant community impact and/or innovation. A recent study found that the EDC’s work in attracting new businesses and assisting existing businesses to expand is projected to grow the county’s economy by $1.8 billion.

The redevelopment of the iconic Indian River Packers facility on Midway Road in Fort Pierce earned the EDC and Contender Boats an excellence in economic development gold award, recognizing this innovative real estate reuse project for job creation and enhancement of the tax base. Serving as a catalyst for economic development, Contender’s reuse of a fruit-packing facility to craft premium sportfishing boats adds 200 jobs and represents the growth of the Treasure Coast’s “blue” marine economy.

The EDC’s 2021 annual report also received a bronze award from the IEDC. This award recognizes excellence in reporting on an economic development organization’s annual activities and highlights.

“Communities need our profession now more than ever. This year's awardees exemplify the ingenuity, leadership, and determination needed to meet the challenges of today and the future. The winners of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development awards represent the best of economic development and demonstrate the level of leadership that our profession strives for every day,” said IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle.

“The EDC staff and directors are honored and humbled to have our efforts recognized internationally,” said EDC President Pete Tesch. “While the work we do to enhance the quality of life in St. Lucie County is something we are passionate about, and our successes have been the true reward, it’s extremely gratifying to have an organization like the IEDC acknowledge those efforts.”

Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers from around the world. IEDC received over 500 submissions from the United States and four additional countries around the world.

About the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County

About the International Economic Development Council

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,800 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities by creating, retaining, and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more at www.iedconline.org.

Sep. 27, 2022|

12 Next

Economic Development

Russ Blackburn honored with Pete Hegener Leadership Award

Port St. Lucie welcomes innovative human milk processing company

Total Truck Parts breaks ground in PSL

Piper Aircraft sees steady growth in 2022

St. Lucie County community makes its mark on the Interstate Commerce Center

St. Lucie Chamber announces
2023 Legislative Conference March 14 to 16, 2023

Crosstown Parkway Sale

NAI Southcoast has announced the sale of a 1.84-acre commercial site in the highly desirable Tradition area in St. Lucie County.

The fastest growing town on the Treasure Coast, Tradition is a family-oriented community that also boasts a robust and active senior population.

With an approved site plan for 13,725 square feet of retail and restaurant space, the parcel benefits from location on a major east/west thoroughfare one mile easy of I95. It is also located in near proximity to the upscale PGA Verano community.

The Seller and buyer were represented by NAI Southcoast. The property had a short marketing period with multiple offers, ultimately the sellers decision came down to timing and terms of the final offer.

Manufacturer Relocates to Indian River County

Board of County Commissioners Approve Jobs Grant Incentive

The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Office is pleased to announce that Kessel Medical, Inc. was approved for the county’s Local Jobs Grant incentive. Kessel Medical is a medical device manufacturer that relocated to Vero Beach from Atlanta in late 2021.

In a unanimous decision, the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners approved Kessel Medical’s request for a Local Jobs Grant. The company anticipates

The Chamber’s Economic Development Office is working with the owners to help them find larger space as they grow their operations.

For more information on locating or expanding a business in Indian River County, call Helene Caseltine at the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, 772-567-3491 or visit www.indianrivered.com.

Wes McCurry to join St. Lucie EDC

St. Lucie EDC wins 3 international awards