Palm Beach County Business Magazine (Spring 2013)

CRA Update | Strategic Forum: New Global Opportunities | Growing the Glades Region

PA L M B E AC H C O U N T Y

Spring 2013

A Quarterly Economic Development Publication

PBIA: A

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Palm Beach Strategic Forum Choosing the right path

Palm Beach International Airport A vital economic asset

News & Events Governor Visits Port of Palm Beach Forbes names 3Ci “America’s Most Promising Company” New Jobs, Housing Market Boost Palm Beach County’s Economy Relocations & Expansions Site Consultants Tour Palm Beach County BDB Receives National Certification

Community Profile: The Glades Region Creating new business opportunities

ON THE COVER: Image by Barry Kinsella

CRA Leaders Outline revitalization projects

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CONTENTS

Palm Beach County Where small businesses are making a big impact

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Welcome from the President TO OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS: Upon reading this issue of Palm Beach County Business you’ll learn about the BDB’s economic development initiative in the Glades; see how Palm Beach International Airport contributes to the economic prosperity of the county; and how local municipalities are stimulating economic growth through their Community Redevelopment Agencies.

This issue also highlights recent companies that the BDB assisted in expansion or relocation to Palm Beach County. In April, Governor Scott announced that Palm Beach County tied for second in the highest number of jobs created in the state in 2012.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Palm Beach County Business which is made possible with the support of the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners, Workforce Alliance, NextEra Energy, Inc., Florida Crystals, and Suffolk Construction.

As we strategize to further the growth of Palm Beach County’s vibrant economy, please continue to follow us on Facebook and Twitter and watch for our e-newsletters to stay well-informed on economic development and business news, events in Palm Beach County.

Kelly Smallridge President and CEO

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc. 310 Evernia Street | West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561.835.1008 | www.bdb.org Palm Beach County’s Economic Development Resource

Published by » Passport

Publications & Media Corporation

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Palm Beach Strategic Forum Choosing the Right Path THE INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM OF THE AMERICAS

Gov. Rick Scott, discussion moderator Leigh Gallagher, and Kelly Smallridge, BDB president and CEO

With the U.S. economy continuing on a slow upward path, South Florida businesses have plenty of opportunities for international trade and investment, according to public and private-sector leaders speaking at the 2013 Palm Beach Strategic Forum, held April 8-9 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

“We are in a new phase of global growth, and our event looks at the key issues for those who want to take advantage of this trend,” said Gil Rémillard, founding chairman, International Economic Forum of the Americas, which sponsored the third annual event.

More than 400 regional, national and international attendees heard from a variety of speakers on the forum’s topic, “Global Economy at the Crossroads: Choosing the Right Path.” Many of the panel discussions focused on issues that have a direct impact on Palm Beach County and the South Florida region. For instance, Florida Secretary of Commerce Gray Swoope, president and CEO, Enterprise Florida, noted that the state’s economy is reviving, adding 300,000 private-sector jobs in the past two years, and Florida attracted 89.3 million visitors last year for a new record.

In the opening session, Jonathan Spector, president and CEO, The Conference Board, outlined the prospects for U.S. economic growth. “We see a decline in the second quarter, due to the effects of the sequester, but things will pick up in the third and fourth quarters, and the U.S. should finish the year with a modest 2 percent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP),” he said. “Consumer confidence is stable, and the economy is neither terrible nor great by historical standards.”

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Looking to the next few years, Spector said annual growth should be in the 2.5 to 3 percent range – significantly above the European Union’s long-term trend of 2 percent growth. But the biggest adjustment in the global economy, he added, was a slowdown in China’s growth rate from about 7.5 percent this year to just 3.7 percent in the next decade.

“In the U.S., we need to see an improvement in the decisionmaking process in Washington,” he added. “One creative idea is a performance test on policy: If it creates new jobs, we implement it.

Otherwise, it would be canceled.”

Sandra Pianalto, president and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, said the nation’s banks have strengthened their balance sheets, home prices are up and building has resumed. “Consumers have paid down their debts and can now contribute to growth,” she added.

From a Wall Street perspective, E. Gerald Corrigan, managing director, Goldman Sachs Group, emphasized the importance of a balanced federal budget for sustainable economic growth. “We need to reverse the nation’s debt burden and wind down the Federal Reserve’s expansionary monetary policy,” he said. “That will help to restore public confidence and the ability of public and private institutions to manage our affairs in a disciplined fashion.”

Saying that the U.S. is at a critical crossroads, Corrigan added, “The U.S. is the most innovative and dynamic nation in the world.

For sustainable growth, we must remain true to our values as a democratic and capitalist society.”

CANADA EXPANDS REACH INTO AMERICAS Canada is Florida’s most important economic partner and a key player throughout the Americas, according to Diane Ablonczy, minister of state, foreign affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs), Canada. “More than 10 percent of the entire Canadian population visits Florida every year, adding $4 billion to the state’s economy,” she said.

Canada is also committed to building trade and investment relationships with the emerging markets of the Caribbean, Central and South America that offer growth opportunities to North American businesses, she added.

“Canada is the number one investor in Chile,” she said. “We also become an observer in the new Pacific Alliance of Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Peru, a deeply integrated free trade union that will link these countries to the economies of the Pacific Rim.” Pointing to other opportunities, Ablonczy added that Brazil has the world’s seventh largest economy; Peru and Colombia enjoy high GDP growth rates; Panama, Suriname and Nicaragua welcome international investment; and Mexico continues to diversify and reform its economy. “Emerging markets should be front and center in the thinking of every business leader here today,” she said. “They will outperform many of today’s advanced economies.”

Canada’s Diane Ablonczy addresses attendees

Finally, Ablonczy noted that Canada’s engagement in the region is not purely economy. “We support high standards of corporate social responsibility, as well as an educated workforce and strong democratic institutions.”

GOP GOVERNORS AIM FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH

Fortune magazine’s Leigh Gallagher with Gov. Rick Scott and Gov. Rick Perry

Florida Gov. Rick Scott loves to compete with his Republican counterpart from Texas, Gov. Rick Perry. But they are also full of complements for the others’ job-growth policies.

“With reduced regulation, lower taxes, and going out calling on companies, Texas has done the right things,” said Scott at a luncheon conversation at the Strategic Forum moderated by Leigh Gallagher, assistant managing editor, Fortune magazine. “That’s why Texas has had 12 straight years of success.”

Gallagher called Florida and Texas “two stunning success stories,” noting that since Scott took office in January 2011, Florida

added 279,500 private sector jobs, while Texas added 706,200 jobs in that time.

In his remarks, Scott was quick to point out that Florida has some strategic advantages over Texas when it comes to attracting new business and investment. “We have a dynamic tourism sector, and the expansion of the Panama Canal and the growth of the economies of Central and South America play to Florida’s strengths.

We need to attract every business that Gov. Perry is thinking about.”

When asked what improvements to Florida he would make, Scott focused on education. “I want to keep tuition rates as low as possible so kids can get their degrees with little debt,” he said. “We also want to move higher education into a more measurable system.”

Scott added that he was proud of a recent agreement with the federal government to improve the Everglades water flow.

Perry also agreed that making higher education more affordable and accessible was a high priority, and cited the opening of a new University of South Texas whose students are primarily Hispanic.

He also praised Scott for his accomplishments in Florida.

“What Rick Scott has done as governor has been nothing less than amazing,” Perry said. “When he came in, jobs were fleeing the state. Now, his policies have brought stability and predictability.

Floridians would be foolish to remove someone with his record and leadership as we go into the next election cycle.”

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PBIA A Vital Economic Asset

Most business executives know that Palm Beach International Airport (PBIA) is one of the most convenient, passenger-friendly gateways for air transport in the United States. But the county’s award-winning airport is filled with hidden gems for travelers, like a complimentary putting green, a hair and nail salon, a children’s play area and three Starbucks with “street” pricing in the main terminal.

“Although PBIA is one of Palm Beach County’s most important economic assets, most executives and professionals don’t realize the full extent our contributions to the business community,” said Bruce V. Pelly, executive director, Palm Beach County Department of Airports.

“We are continually adding new services, opening routes to new destinations and growing our air cargo business.”

For example, PBIA has a long-standing partnership with the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau to market the region and attract more business and leisure travelers. That outreach effort includes more than 40 meetings a year with airline schedule planners that focus on route development, according to Sophie Gaeta, senior director, airlift development at the bureau.

“Arriving at Palm Beach International Airport is one of the most pleasurable ways for our visitors to begin their Florida experience— whether they are here to visit, vacation or on business,” said Jorge Pesquera, president and CEO, Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our national sales team incorporates the PBIA message to all potential leisure, group and business contacts in their sales presentations.”

In the past year, PBIA added nonstop service to Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Providence, RI, and its airlines now serve 27 markets in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean with 97 daily nonstop departures. Last May, JetBlue launched daily nonstop service to San Juan, Puerto Rico, offering access to many Caribbean destinations.

In addition to outbound flights, the airport’s central location in Palm Beach County and direct connection to I-95 makes it easy for inbound business customers, prospects and partners to come here for sales meetings, product demonstrations, trade shows and conferences.

In 2013, nearly 6 million passengers are expected to travel through the award-winning airport, which consistently receives high grades for easy accessibility, short lines through security, short distances to gates and comfortable gate waiting areas.

“We would like Palm Beach County executives and professionals to understand the different roles our airport plays in the local economy,” said Michael Simmons, director of finance, PBIA. “We can also work with them to find new ways to support their activities and improve their operations.”

SUPPORTING AREA BUSINESSES By delivering a year-round stream of visitors, facilitating business travel and providing convenient air cargo shipments, Palm Beach International Airport plays a vital role in virtually all sectors of the region’s economy. Tourists from Canada and Northern states support

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PBIA’S AIRLINES

local restaurants, hotels, and attractions. Hedge fund executives rely on PBIA’s multiple daily flights to New York. Medical device and technology companies use PBIA to ship their products to customers around the world.

As Dennis Shaughnessy, CEO of FTI Consulting, a global company based in West Palm Beach, said recently, “Air travel is critical for us, and we’ve found that PBIA is one of the easiest airports in the U.S. for in and out access. Our visitors from out of town all rave about PBIA.” Based on a PBIA and Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau analysis, just one daily flight into PBIA amounts to approximately $20 million annually in direct, indirect and induced spending in Palm Beach County by visitors. While it’s hard to quantify the airport’s ongoing contributions to the business community, a 2010 study by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that PBIA has a direct economic impact of $558 million annually and total economic activity of $3.495 billion in spending from visitors who arrive in the area via commercial and general aviation aircraft.

The study also found PBIA’s total employment was 37,500 jobs with a total payroll of $1.074 billion, including more than 60 on-site aviation-related tenants.

Air Canada AirTran American Airlines BahamasAir Delta Air Lines JetBlue Airways Silver Airways Southwest Airlines Spirit Airlines United Airlines United Connection US Airways & US Airways Express

About PBIA Operated by the Palm Beach County Department of Airports, PBIA has three passenger concourses and 28 aircraft gates with the potential for 24 additional gates at a later time. The 560,000-squarefoot terminal has a direct connection to I-95 and a landscaped roadway system that leads to separate terminal levels for arriving and departing passengers. The airport’s U.S. Customs and Immigration facility can handle 300 international passengers per hour.

PBIA Offers Direct Service PBIA offers business travelers convenient direct daily service to 25 markets.

A TRAVELER-FRIENDLY TERMINAL PBIA’s traveler-friendly terminal includes unique shopping boutiques that offer fine apparel, children’s toys, clothing, gifts, a signature PGA Tour Shop and a new full-service Comfort Zone Spa. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available throughout the

Daily Direct Flights to: 28 to NYC Area (LGA, JFK, EWR, HPN, ISP) 12 to Atlanta (ATL) 9 to Washington, DC Area (DCA, BWI) 6 to Boston (BOS) 6 to Charlotte (CLT) 6 to Philadelphia (PHL) 4 to Chicago (ORD)

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PBIA A Vital Economic Asset terminal and departure gates with an added convenience for the business traveler – private powered workstations in the main terminal.

“If you’re headed down concourse C you might want to take advantage of the Delta Sky Club,” said Stephanie Richards, director, Airports Marketing, Palm Beach County Department of Airports.

“Business men and women love to start their day there, relaxing in an area where the Delta staff are committed to making sure your trip starts right.”

Travelers can also choose from a variety of restaurants: three different Starbucks, California Pizza Kitchen, Quiznos Subs, Chili’s, Burger King, Nick’s Tomato Pie, Sam Sneed’s (complete with putting green), and a Rooney’s bar and grille. “When Burger King offers a special value meal, it’s available at the airport, making it easy to keep the kids happy,” said Gaeta. “We also have plenty of healthy options at the terminal or to take on the plane.” The terminal also has a special children’s area called the KidZoo with merchandise especially for the younger set, and a play area with wall murals and animal characters.

PBIA also hosts an eclectic collection of artwork, mainly from local artists. “Some of our collection rotates to ensure you see a few new pieces every time you visit,” said Richards. “During the holiday season, talented singers from area schools fill the air with joyous sounds. Because of their popularity we hope to bring them back for more concert specials.”

Short-term parking is just a few steps from the terminal, and payment can be made through the automated SunPass system with a receipt emailed seconds after leaving the lot. Parking at the airport’s economy lot – just $7 a day – requires just a short ride on the shuttle bus or a brief five-minute walk to the terminal.

Richards says it’s not surprising that PBIA has won numerous awards from air travelers. Several years ago, Conde Naste readers voted PBI the third best airport in the country and the sixth best in the world.

In addition, PBIA recently won an Airport Revenue News Award for “Airport With the Most Unique Services.”

WHAT’S NEXT AT PBIA To support business and group travel, PBIA now offers parking incentives to travelers. “We plan to implement other special parking discount programs in the near future,” said Richards. “We are also exploring loyalty programs, such as a possible mileage reward for dollars spent in airport parking, food, or merchandise purchases.”

Another coming attraction is the PBIA Travel Plaza. Currently, PBIA has a free cell phone waiting lot on Belvedere Road, just a oneminute drive to the terminal to pick up arriving passengers. In 2015, PBIA plans to complete a full-service travel plaza at that site. As Richards said, “While waiting for arriving passengers, you will be able to fill up your gas tank, grab a cup of coffee or snack, get a car wash or enjoy free wi-fi to catch up on emails or current events. It’s just one more way PBI sets ourselves apart and is considered South Florida’s most passenger friendly international airport.”

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Air Cargo Volume on the Rise A growing number of Palm Beach County shippers are taking advantage of PBIA’s convenient air cargo services. For the last 12 months, cargo tonnage through PBIA was 20,792 tons, compared with 12,571 tons just over three years ago.

Much of the growth is associated with the 2010 addition of FedEx, which joined UPS as the airport’s main cargo partners. The PBIA cargo operations are supported by a number of freight forwarders and freight processing companies.

Both FedEx and UPS operate from a 50,000-square-foot cargo building with direct airfield access. “The air cargo building is essentially the conduit where ground transportation meets air transportation,” said Michael Simmons, director of finance. “Cargo is containerized and handled in bulk using specialized equipment to quickly move cargo from truck to cargo plane and vice versa. Here PBIA’s I-95 Direct connection plays another key role. By having the air cargo building situated so close to I-95, shippers are able to shave time, and therefore costs, off of their delivery routes.”

Overall, PBIA averages four to six cargo flight operations daily, depending on the season with a significant direct and indirect economic impact on the county’s businesses.

Palm Beach County Where Small Businesses are Making a Big Impact THE GROWTH OF SMALL BUSINESS IS CONSIDERED A KEY ELEMENT TO achieving economic recovery, both here in Palm Beach County and nationwide. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reports that small businesses - defined as those with fewer than 500 employees - make up 99.7 percent of U.S. employer firms and accounted for 64 percent of net new jobs created between 1993 and 2011. They create about 2 of every 3 new jobs in America each year and are the drivers of American innovation and competitiveness.

Palm Beach County, through the Department of Economic Sustainability (DES) is assisting an increasing number of small businesses throughout the county through our economic development incentive programs. Among the businesses that worked with the County to relocate or expand in 2012, DES helped several small businesses attain low interest financing through the county’s HUD Section 108 Loan Program and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Revolving Loan Fund, resulting in project investments totaling more than $13.6 million. The combined fiveyear economic impact of these ventures to the local economy is estimated at $130 million.

DES collaborates with SBA lenders to leverage owner equity and county incentives in completing financial packages for local businesses. According to SBA South Florida District Director Francisco “Pancho” Marrero, “the small business economy improved in 2012 and based on our first quarter FY13 SBA loan data, the recovery is continuing on the same track. So far in Palm Beach County, 45 loans have been approved for $23.7 million.”

Presently, DES is working on nearly 30 new small business projects through our economic development programs. The potential projects total more than $62 million, with several located in the Glades communities. And our efforts continue to gain access to additional non-ad valorem funding sources to help businesses succeed and create more jobs for Palm Beach County residents.

HERE ARE A FEW “SMALL BUSINESS” HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2012: Smart for Life, a manufacturer and distributor of nutritious baked food products completed a $3.1 million renovation at their new location in Riviera Beach and celebrated a grand opening in November. They commenced production in August and through energy retrofits to their facility, the company already has realized a reduction in their electric bills of approximately 58 percent.

Audio equipment manufacturer/distributor, America’s Sound is constructing their new $912,000 facility in Belle Glade. Located in the Avenue A Revitalization Project area, this project brings a new industry to the Glades, redevelops a brownfields site, and will result in the creation of at least 35 full-time jobs.

Medical Career Institute of South Florida, Inc. is relocating its campus to the Westgate community with the $2.3 million expansion of a 22,000 square-foot building on Shawnee Avenue.

The school’s national occupational education accreditation allows students access to federal tuition assistance, which has resulted in substantial growth in the student body.

For further information about Palm Beach County’s business assistance programs, please contact Sherry Howard at DES, (561) 233-3653.

By Sherry Howard, Deputy Director Palm Beach County Department of Economic Sustainability

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News Events Governor Visits Port of Palm Beach Gov. Rick Scott recently visited the Port of Palm Beach, where he highlighted $26 million of state and local investments to the port. The $20.4 million state investment was matched with $6.3 million locally to add freight capacity. Construction began last February and is expected to be completed in the fall of 2014. Scott also discussed the relationship between Florida’s manufacturing industry and its port system. Florida ranks first in manufactured exports as a percentage of the state’s total exports.

Forbes names 3Ci “America’s Most Promising Company” Forbes magazine recently named 3Ci “America’s Most Promising Company.“ In a February article on “Redefining Mobile,” the magazine noted that the Boca Raton enterprise technology company led by CEO John Duffy achieved $28.7 million in sales in 2012 following 70 percent compound annual growth over the last four years.

A leader in mobile messaging services, 3Ci provides news alerts, sports scores and other information for a wide array of companies.

Former Business Development Board chair Fabiola Brumley, who heads Bank of America’s Southeast business banking division, and Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the BDB, were honored in April with the Sun Sentinel’s Excalibur Awards for business and community leadership.

New Jobs, Housing Market Boost Palm Beach County’s Economy On April 3, Gov. Rick Scott recognized Palm Beach County for having one of the highest job growth rates in the state in 2012, gaining nearly 10,000 jobs. Out of 67 counties, Palm Beach County was tied for second place. That growth was strongest in professional and business services, education and health services, trade/transportation/utilities, leisure and hospitality, and financial activities.

“Palm Beach County appreciates the governor’s recognition of our efforts to create jobs in Palm Beach County, and we look forward to continuing to work with the state to attract and retain businesses in our area,” said County Mayor Steven Abrams at a Tallahassee press conference.

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Workforce Alliance, the county’s unemployment rate in February was 7.4 percent – the lowest in more than four years – and below the state rate of 7.5 percent and the national rate of 8.1 percent.

Another positive indicator of the health of the county’s economy is a strong rise in the area’s housing market. The median sales price of a single-family home was $220,000 in February, up 22 percent from the prior year, and the median condo price was $112,050, up 24.7 percent, according to statistics compiled by Florida Realtors covering Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.

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Looking ahead, Beata Caranci, vice president and deputy chief economist, TD Bank, cited the housing market as a likely contributor to the region’s growth in 2013. “Housing has strong upside potential as demand fundamentals support an upswing for the next three to five years,” said Caranci at a January 24 “Economic and Financial Outlook“ presentation to the Business Development Board. “In addition, rising home prices support consumer confidence and spending.”

In her talk, Caranci noted that as the federal government takes steps to trim the national deficit, there will be more emphasis on the private sector to take up the reins of growth. “The Federal Reserve is doing everything it can to fuel growth, but policy uncertainty remains a near-term hurdle,” she said.

In 2013, Caranci said the economies of the South Atlantic states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina) are likely to grow faster than the national average. “Florida’s export orientation works to its advantage,” she added. “However, job recovery in Florida will remain uneven, with healthcare and education leading the way.”

The Board of County Commissioners has implemented policies to support economic development through programs offering job growth incentives, ad valorem tax exemptions, low-interest loans, and expedited permitting. Working cooperatively through the Department of Economic Sustainability (DES), the county collaborates with local municipalities and the Business Development Board to promote job creation and expansion. Analyses performed by DES estimate that businesses assisted through the county’s economic development programs in 2012 will have a five-year economic impact of more than $1.3 billion.

BDB Receives National Certification The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County recently achieved a Level 1 program certification from the National Center for Economic Gardening (NCEG). The BDB is an Entrepreneurial Support Organization for GrowFL, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida.

Often referred to as a “grow from within” approach, economic gardening helps existing companies grow larger – providing a more balanced approach to economic development. To achieve a Level 1 certification from NCEG, an organization must exhibit a general interest in the local entrepreneurial movement and have publicly stated support for the “growth from within” rationale for economic development.

The BDB works in conjunction with GrowFL, the state’s designated Economic Gardening initiative and the only Level 3 certified organization in Florida. “Economic gardening in a community leads to economic prosperity and employment,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “It is this tailored, hands-on program that supports the transformation of entrepreneurs into successful enterprises.”

Site Consultants Tour Palm Beach County

Ten corporate site location executives took part in the BDB’s 2013 International Site Consultant Palm Beach County Familiarization Program (FAM) on March 6-8.

The site selectors met with public and private sector representatives, toured business parks and business districts, and heard presentations by panels comprised of education leaders and corporate executives. The BDB continues to receive qualified corporate relocation and expansion prospect referrals from site consultants who attended previous Palm Beach County FAM programs.

This tour marked the first visit to Palm Beach County for KMK Consulting’s Steven Spalding who said the tour changed his perception.

“The economy here is more diverse than I ever would have assumed,” Spalding said and added that he was impressed to learn Palm Beach County hosts Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney and Florida Crystals. “The business community is extremely engaged. It’s hard to fake that.”

Relocations & Expansions In partnership with Palm Beach County, The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) facilitated these companies’ expansion and relocation plans.

American Tire Distributors (ATD) will build a 120,000 SF distribution facility in Royal Palm Beach and will create 30 new jobs over a three-year period with an average annual salary of $45,000. The BDB and the Village of Royal Palm Beach assisted ATD in its relocation with expedited permitting and Workforce Alliance will help the company in its recruitment efforts.

Advanced Processing and Imaging (API) is relocating to Boca Raton, where it will renovate a 6,700-square-foot facility and employ 60 employees with an average annual wage of $56,000. The BDB assisted the software company by providing site inventory options, an introduction to Workforce Alliance, and government zoning and permitting information.

The city of Boca Raton provided expedited permitting and Workforce Alliance is assisting the company in its recruitment and training efforts.

Parametric Solutions Inc., which designs gas turbines used in jets and underwater turbines for energy generation, recently purchased a new 40,000-square-foot office and manufacturing facility in the Jupiter Park of Commerce and plans to add more than 100 employees to its existing workforce of 156 over the next two years. The BDB provided real estate searches, information on state training assistance programs, introductions to Florida Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College, and Workforce Alliance for talent and training assistance.

Call 4 Health will expand its operations in Boca Raton to create 30 new jobs. The BDB provided Call 4 Health with a real estate search for a potential new facility, although the company decided to stay in current location; provided information on training assistance; and introduced the company to Workforce Alliance, which resulted in a $22,000 training grant.

Accountable Healthcare Staffing (AHS), a national healthcare staffing company headquartered in Boca Raton, is expanding its corporate operations to accommodate continued growth. The BDB provided AHS with information on training assistance; introduced the company to Workforce Alliance; and facilitated the incentive process with the City of Boca Raton which resulted in a lease subsidy.

BoatSmith, a boat building, marine carpentry, and millwork operations company, recently moved to a new 22,000 square-foot facility in West Palm Beach and will create 24 new jobs.. The BDB provided permitting assistance, assistance with utilities, and introductions to representatives of Workforce Alliance, as well as information on tax credits and training assistance.

Commercial Energy Specialists (CES), a specialist in water treatment programs, will move to a new 20,000-square-foot training and technology center in Jupiter, retaining 30 jobs and creating 12 new positions. The technology center will also be the home of James S. Lavold (JSL) Inc., a leading FAA-certified contractor, retaining 8 jobs and creating 8 new positions. The BDB provided CES and JSL with introductions to municipal and country representatives, as well as permitting and fees information and assistance, and other local resources.

Bulk Candy Store, a traveling candy store and an online supplier, has moved to a new 17,000 square-foot location in West Palm Beach, expanding its warehouse providing a cash-and-carry retail outlet. Bulk Candy Store retained 15 jobs and created two new positions. The BDB provided real estate searches, information on tax exemptions and workforce training assistance, and assistance with permitting and utilities.

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COMMUNITY PROFILE:

The Glades

Creating New Business Opportunities

Florida Crystals

Pahokee Dike

With a “crossroads” location, extensive land and available workforce, the Glades region of western Palm Beach County is ready to support new business and economic development projects.

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Known for their agricultural and recreational assets, the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay could also become a home for distribution, logistics, renewable energy, wind power, biofuels and manufacturing companies.

“We are looking for new development that complements the agribusiness that sustains our local economy,” said Belle Glade attorney Donia Roberts, chair of the non-profit Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic (LORE) Alliance of Palm Beach County, Inc. “We want to be sure to have the infrastructure in place to support that growth.”

LORE recently entered into a partnership with the Business Development Board (BDB) to market and promote the region to other companies in Florida and beyond. “We are establishing a framework to identify and market the region’s assets,” said Brandon Carson, BDB vice president, who leads the regional initiative. “Our goal is to raise the Glades’ profile among employers looking for an affordable alternative to pricier coastal properties. There is a lack of awareness about what is truly available.”

The BDB recently opened an office in Belle Glade to help address the high unemployment rate in the three cities, which have a combined population of about 42,000. There are hundreds of acres of developable and available industrial and commercial properties within the region, according to Carson.

The Glades is now home to about 1,700 businesses, including major employers like Duda & Sons, Everglades Farm Equipment, Florida Crystals, Hugh Branch, Inc., Hundley Farms, Morning Star Harvesting, Pioneer Growers, and U.S. Sugar.

When Florida Crystals was founded in Palm Beach County in 1960, the company grew sugar cane on 4,000 acres of land and produced 10,000 tons of raw sugar. “Today, using our sustainable farming practices, we grow crops on 190,000 acres in South Florida, have sugar operations in six countries, and are the world’s largest producer of refined cane sugar,” said Pepe Fanjul Jr., executive vice president. In addition, Florida Crystals operates North America’s largest biomass energy production facility generating electricity from leftover sugarcane fiber and recycled urban wood waste.

Florida Crystals also has an 850-acre site between Belle Glade and South Bay that has received county’s approval for a rail yard and up to 10

Region Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

Pahokee City Hall

million square feet of distribution and warehouse space. The company recently entered into an alliance with IDI, an Atlanta-based logistics real estate company, to plan and market a South Florida intermodal logistics center in the region.

The goal would be to take advantage of the region’s central location on U.S. 27 between the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts to build a multi-modal transportation facility serving South Florida’s major seaports. Another potential development would be a wind farm that could generate power for thousands of homes and create new jobs for the area.

Meanwhile, Roberts points to the region’s appeal to fishermen, boaters, campers, hikers and bikers as the southern gateway to Lake Okeechobee. “The Pahokee Marina has recently reopened under new management and operates a full-service restaurant and marina,“ she said. “Our bass fishing tournaments also attract visitors from around the country.”

Outdoor enthusiasts also appreciate the Torry Island Campground and Marina (formerly the Belle Glade Marina Campground), the 18-hole Belle Glade Public Golf Course, Lake Okeechobee Outpost Campgrounds, and the South Bay RV Park, Campground, and Boat Ramp.

Other key assets are Palm Beach State College’s Belle Glade Campus which boasts enrollment of 1,750 as well as a high school dualenrollment program. In addition, Lakeside Medical Center, a 70-bed acute care facility built in 2009, offers centers of excellence in women’s health, emergency care, critical care, surgery and physical therapy. Belle Glade is also home to the Lawrence E. Will Museum: A Museum of the Glades, and the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center offering a wide variety of cultural and entertainment performances.

As a state-designated priority rural area, most companies in the Glades region are eligible for State of Florida and Palm Beach County incentives, grants, and low-cost loan programs. Additionally, the BDB evaluates the potential for SBA 7A and 504 loans, USDA and HUD grant and loan programs, New Market Tax Credit packages, venture capital and angel funding, industrial revenue bonds, and other financing mechanisms. Ad valorem tax relief is also available for major investors.

Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee means “big water” in the Seminole Indian language, an appropriate name for a water body whose opposite shore cannot be seen from the water’s edge. With a surface area of 730 square miles, it is the largest freshwater lake in the southeastern U.S., and second-largest in the continental U.S. Despite its size, the lake is shallow at only a 9-foot average depth.

“Lake O” and its wetlands are at the center of a much larger watershed, the Greater Everglades, that stretches from the Kissimmee River through the Everglades and finally into Florida Bay. The Lake is also a key component of South Florida’s freshwater supply and flood-control systems. With the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers providing structural improvements, Lake Okeechobee continues to be a vital freshwater resource for all of South Florida, with irreplaceable natural and community values.

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CRA Leaders Outline Revitalization Projects

Throughout Palm Beach County, local municipalities are stimulating economic growth through their Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs). On Feb. 15, the Business Development Board brought together seven CRA leaders to discuss their current projects and business opportunities. “CRAs help to revitalize our economy by encouraging public and private investment,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, BDB. Here is a summary of their presentations.

Riviera Beach CRA. “We are building on our strengths,” said Tony Brown, executive director, pointing to a major publicprivate investment in the city’s waterfront district. Plans call for a public market, restaurants and retail development, along with a new marina and housing. “This is a transformation taking place that will create exciting new entrepreneurial opportunities,” he said.

West Palm Beach CRA. Grace Joyce, redevelopment administrator, said the city is looking at ways to improve the Broadway corridor, and support All Aboard Florida, a planned high-speed private rail service from Miami to Orlando with a stop between Clematis and CityPlace. “Scheduled to start in 2015, the rail service will create 1,000 new jobs and have a much broader positive economic effect,” she said. Joyce also noted the success of Northwood Village, a public-private partnership that turned abandoned buildings into an awardwinning mixed-use development.

Westgate/Belvedere Homes CRA. Elizee Michel, executive director, outlined the affordable housing development in the area. “We have created 116 units in the last year, as well as a number of infrastructure projects,” he said. “We have also assembled four new parcels for continuing redevelopment.

Other successes include an annual festival and the awardwinning Westgate Green Market.

Lake Worth CRA. An affordable housing program and the Urban Arts Loft Project are among recent accomplishments, according to Cary Sabol, CRA chair. “We demolished more than 40 dilapidated structures, and attained a federal grant that will result in 160 new and proposed affordable residential units,” he said. “It’s had a powerful impact on our community.” The Urban Arts Loft Project will consist of four buildings with 12 units.

Another pending project is La Joya Villages, a 55-unit “green” rental village whose groundbreaking is scheduled for August.

Boynton Beach CRA. Major improvements to the city’s marina area are well underway, according to Vivian Brooks, executive director. “We are getting ready for the final phase of Boynton Harbor, our marina redevelopment,” she said. “Our entire oceanfront area is getting a lot of attention, and we’ve added an entry feature on Ocean Avenue.”

Delray Beach CRA. New development incentives are attracting private investment, said Vincent Nolan, economic development director, City of Delray Beach. For instance a new 134-room Hyatt Place Hotel has just opened near downtown. Six iconic art structures now welcome travelers exiting I-95 on Atlantic Avenue, and to the east the U.S. Corridor Enhancement Project includes a new streetscape, bicycle lanes and wider sidewalks.

Boca Raton CRA. The City of Boca Raton has rebranded its downtown area with the “It’s Happening!” message, said Constance Scott, city council member and CRA chair. A new pedestrian promenade, and a new downtown library, scheduled to open this summer, are other accomplishments. “Since purchasing Mizner Amphitheater in 2010, the city has brought in new shows and signature events, revitalizing the downtown area,” Scott said. “Our master plans calls for promoting pedestrian-friendly development that enhances our community.”

Photo by .Robert Stevens

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