Palm Beach County Business | Winter 2022

Quarterly Economic Development Magazine | Winter 2022

MARK BELLISSIMO

BRIGHTLINE WELLINGTON EQUESTRIAN PARTNERS FOR BUSINESS!

NEW OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE GLADES

EXPANSION

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CONTENTS Winter 2022

D E PA R T M E N T S In the Know from the CEO

F E AT U R E S

page 2

Welcome to Wellington the “Equestrian Capital of the World”

Palm Beach County’s Hot Real Estate Markets

Brightline for Business!

page 8

page 4 page 6

9 Mega Sites: Available Shovel Ready Locations

Building New Schools and a Future Workforce

Our BDB Board of Directors

Growth Beyond Ag: Western County an Emerging Business Center

page 15 page 18

News & Events page 20

County Corner page 21

CareerSource: Helping A Young Adult Success Story

page 7

page 11

UF, Scripps Research Greenlight Integration for Florida Powerhouse page 16

Two New Expansions page 17

page 23

winter 2022 pbc business

|1

CEO

from the

InTheKnow

Spend This Winter in Paradise!

On December 21, winter officially arrived

in the U.S. But the winter experience in Boston, New York or Chicago is very different from life in Palm Beach County. Rather than bundling up in the cold and snow, you could be on the golf course, boating or relaxing on the beach with your family and friends.

For more than a century, northerners have been spending the winter season in our warm-weather paradise. That trend has accelerated dramatically in the last two years as more executives, entrepreneurs and professionals from the Northeast, Midwest and even California have put down roots in Palm Beach County. In fact, it’s likely that our county will have one of Florida’s highest in-migration totals when year-end figures are compiled.

In this issue of Palm Beach County Business, you can get a sense of the energy and excitement permeating every area of the county, from Lake Okeechobee and the western Glades to our sparkling beaches along the Atlantic Coast. Our residential and commercial real estate markets are flourishing, with continuing strong demand from relocating and expanding businesses. In addition, the School District of Palm Beach County is opening new schools to keep pace with population growth and build our workforce for the future.

As 2021 comes to a close, we would like to thank our members, sponsors and public and private sector partners for your support. You have helped us put Palm Beach County on the short list for site selectors, professional firms and businesses of all sizes considering a move to a warm and welcoming pro-business climate.

Best wishes for the holidays, and see you next year!

Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc. 310 Evernia Street West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561.835.1008 | www.bdb.org Kelly Smallridge President & CEO 561.835.1008 Ext. 4121 ksmallridge@bdb.org Gary Hines Senior Vice President – Administration 561.835.1008 Ext. 4111 ghines@bdb.org Lisa Anderson Vice President – Private Funding 561.835.1008 Ext. 4110 landerson@bdb.org Kristen (Boyd) Liberman Vice President – Marketing & Media Relations 561.835.1008 Ext. 4106 kliberman@bdb.org Tim Dougher Vice President – Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion 561.835.1008 Ext. 4131 tdougher@bdb.org Shawn Rowan Vice President – Business Recruitment, Retention and Expansion 561.835.1008 Ext. 4108 srowan@bdb.org Whitney West Vice President – Strategic Initiatives and Events 561.835.1008 Ext. 4101 wwest@bdb.org

Kelly Smallridge President and CEO

ON THE COVER

Mark Bellissimo, CEO Wellington Equestrian Partners

Palm Beach County, Florida is Home to 39 Cities and Towns, Including: City of Atlantis City of Belle Glade City of Boca Raton City of Boynton Beach Town of Briny Breezes Town of Cloud Lake City of Delray Beach Town of Glen Ridge Village of Golf City of Greenacres Town of Gulf Stream Town of Haverhill Town of Highland Beach

Town of Hypoluxo Town of Juno Beach Town of Jupiter Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony Town of Lake Clarke Shores Town of Lake Park City of Lake Worth Beach Town of Lantana Town of Loxahatchee Groves Town of Manalapan Town of Mangonia Park Village of North Palm Beach Town of Ocean Ridge

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City of Pahokee Town of Palm Beach City of Palm Beach Gardens Town of Palm Beach Shores Village of Palm Springs City of Riviera Beach Village of Royal Palm Beach City of South Bay Town of South Palm Beach Village of Tequesta Village of Wellington City of Westlake City of West Palm Beach

PUBLISHED BY

Passport Publications | passport media group 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 1550 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 561.472.8778 | www.PassportPublications.com Palm Beach County Business Quarterly is published by Passport Publications & Media Corporation, on behalf of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, and the publisher. © 2022 Passport Publications & Media Corporation

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Wellington WELCOME TO

If you enjoy equestrian sports or if riding is an important part of your family’s lifestyle, it’s time to make the move to Wellington—an upscale Palm Beach County community known as the “Equestrian Capital of the World.”

“The increase of C-suite executives moving to South Florida has fueled a need for luxury lifestyle opportunities,” said Michael Stone, President, Equestrian Sport Productions. “Equestrian sport provides these opportunities and has encouraged many families to move full-time to Palm Beach County, and in particular Wellington. It also creates a great opportunity for local businesses to be part of the economic growth of Palm Beach County.”

An exciting series of equestrian sport competitions begins in January and continues throughout the season. The Winter Equestrian Festival will bring the world’s best hunter/jumper horses and riders to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington. It’s an annual event that introduces thousands of high-net-worth individuals and families to the uniquely appealing lifestyle in Wellington.

Running from January 5 to April 3, the Winter Equestrian Festival is the world’s largest and longest-running equestrian sports event. Four thousand families, 8,000 horses, and 250,000 spectators from 43 different countries will converge on Wellington to compete for more than $12 million in prize money.

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A recent economic impact survey showed that the equestrian season in Wellington contributed $280 million in economic impact and generated almost 150,000 paid room nights for Palm Beach County in 2021, with a tourism spend of $35.6 million, when the sport was operating with COVID restrictions.

Overall, PBIEC hosts hunter/jumper competitions for 42 weeks of the year on its 90-plus acres. PBIEC has two core facilities, the Main Grounds and Equestrian Village, which collectively contain more than 18 competition arenas, a derby field and one of the largest covered arenas in the world. Equestrian Village is also home to the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival. These equestrian venues are home to the largest and longest running horse shows in the world.

INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB PALM BEACH World-renowned players and polo enthusiasts come to Wellington each winter season to enjoy their love of the sport in the most prominent and well-equipped polo facility the sport has to offer.

Wellington is home to the International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), one of the premier polo destinations in the world. The club hosts many of the greatest high-goal teams and the most prestigious polo tournaments in the United States. Spanning nearly 250 acres, IPC is the largest and most spectator-friendly polo facility in the United States.

The winter polo season runs from January through May. IPC also offers membership opportunities that include dining, tennis, and the ability to have premier viewing of the polo season. IPC is owned by Wellington Equestrian Partners.

IPC debuted the IPC Spring Series in 2021, and it will return for four weeks in 2022. This offers additional chances for spectators to attend matches, which in turn increases sponsorship and advertising opportunities for local, regional and national/international companies.

A NEW OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE In July, Andreas Helgstrand, CEO of Global Equestrian Group (GEG), and Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners (WEP), announced an unprecedented partnership focused on developing international equestrian sport in Wellington.

“The Winter Equestrian Festival and PBIEC are fantastic brands within international equestrian sport,” said Helgstrand. “Together, we will strengthen the offerings and create a global market leader spreading our passion for equestrian sport and lifestyle to new markets.”

Global Equestrian Group is committed to developing PBIEC to not only be the largest horse show in the world, but to be the world’s premier equestrian venue. Significant funds have already been spent on improving the equestrian elements of the venue, and the group is currently working on a five-year plan to achieve its goals.

WELLINGTON

Population: 66,000 Horses: up to 20,000 in winter season Key venues: Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and International Polo Club Palm Beach Seasonal sports economic impact: $280 million Tourism spending: $35.6 million Labor earnings: $83.9 million Direct equestrian expenditure: $168 million

A RELOCATION DESTINATION Leading brands appreciate the opportunity to reach thousands of equestrian sports fans attending seasonal events.

Some major names include Rolex, Hermès, Lugano Diamonds, Fidelity Investments, NetJets, Douglas Elliman Real Estate and Veuve Clicquot.

Meanwhile, equestrian sports at the highest level bring C-suite executives, public figures and high-income families to Wellington, making it a natural choice when considering a relocation to Palm Beach County’s year-round warm-weather climate.

FUN FACT: Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Wellington Equestrian Partners is on the cover of this magazine.

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for business!

West Palm Beach Station

BRIGHTLINE IS BACK, OFFERING CONVENIENT, eco-friendly travel between the downtowns of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach for businesses and their employees. New stations in Boca Raton and Aventura are scheduled to open in the second half of 2022. Construction to Orlando International Airport will be substantially completed by the end of 2022, with service to begin soon afterwards. With its relaunch, Brightline is introducing a Brightline for Business program to make it easier for companies to utilize the convenient services.

“Our Brightline for Business program provides the business community travel solutions that help boost productivity, expand talent pool and improve employee retention, while saving on travel expenses,” said Julie Sharenow, VP, sales. “Our corporate accounts are designed to offer flexibility for you and your employees across our product suite along with rewarding savings and access to meaningful perks, like Brightline+, that help with first/last mile connections.”

Brightline introduced and launched Brightline+, a door-to-door mobility solution that provides first and last mile connections. Guests can choose from a private Tesla to a shared van to an electric golf cart to get from point A to point B. Guests can book directly in the app, and it will show as a one-ticket ride.

In fact, Brightline was recognized by Fast Company as one of the “Most Innovative Companies” in travel, offering a guest-first experience designed to reinvent train travel and take cars off the road.

Brightline trains operate hourly service along a 67-mile South Florida corridor. Drivers and pedestrians should obey all traffic laws around crossings and never stop on the tracks. The company is implementing additional safety measures, signage at high trafficked crossings and the deployment of safety ambassadors throughout the region.

For more information, visit www.gobrightline.com.

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Building New Schools and a Future Workforce B

y opening new elementary, middle and high schools, the School District of Palm Beach County is expanding its ability to bring timely learning opportunities to the region’s students, families and businesses.

“We are building new schools and, in the process, building the future workforce in Palm Beach County,” said Superintendent Michael J. Burke. “Academic excellence is the foundation of postgraduate success. All of our new schools will offer Choice and Career programs that will build on the more than 330 options we already have in place to meet the unique needs of our students and the future needs of our county’s job market.”

Two modernized replacement schools opened in August and welcomed students for the current school year. Washington Elementary School in Riviera Beach now has a 21st century media center, along with state-of-the-art classrooms and a covered outdoor play area. Constructed in 1966, Addison Mizner Elementary School in Boca Raton was demolished last year and rebuilt as a modern, two-story K-8 school.

New schools in the pipeline include: n An elementary school in Boca Raton adjacent to Don Estridge High Tech Middle School. The campus includes three-, two- and one-story buildings and is scheduled to open in August 2022. n A high school in suburban Lake Worth near Woodlands Middle School. Located on a 47-acre campus, the school will welcome about 2,700 students and include a media center, high-tech auditorium, and an athletic complex with a 4,000-seat stadium. n Sunset Palms Middle School in Boynton Beach, which will open for the start of the 2023 school year and include medical and technology programs. The four-building middle school is on a 12-acre site directly south of Sunset Palms Elementary School.

The district also operates several technical adult education centers, including the Chuck Shaw Technical Education Center, which opened recently in West Palm Beach, and is planning a new adult education center in northern Palm Beach County.

Altogether, there are 179 district-operated K-12 schools throughout the county, not including the new facilities now in the pipeline.

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Palm Beach County’s Hot Real Estate Markets Demand for homes and commercial space remains

RESIDENTIAL Single-Family Homes Closed sales

September 2021

September 2020

1,450

1,744

strong throughout Palm Beach County. Here is a look at recent figures for the office, industrial and residential real estate markets.

OFFICE

Median sale price $469,900

$400,000

Vacancy rate

14.7%

Dollar volume $1.2 billion Active inventory 2,567 homes

$1.1 billion 3,068 homes

Absorption

290,000 sf

Asking rents:

$39.71 psf (full service)

Recent deliveries:

411,000 sf

Under construction:

244,000 sf

SOURCE: Florida Realtors Association

Source: Cushman & Wakefield’s 3Q market report

TOWNHOUSES and Condominiums September 2021 Closed sales 1,380 Median sale price $246,500 Dollar volume $488.8 million Active inventory: 2,032 units SOURCE: Florida Realtors Association

Thank you to Waterfront Properties for assisting with this information.

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September 2020 1,257 $206,250 $417.6 million 5,348 units

INDUSTRIAL Vacancy rate

3.3%

Absorption

420,000 sf

Asking rents:

$11.07 psf (full service)

Recent deliveries:

1.7 million sf

Under construction:

368,000 sf

Source: Cushman & Wakefield’s 3Q market report

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THE GLOBAL LUXURY DIFFERENCE When a real estate company has been known and trusted for more than 100 years, it’s because extraordinary service and success never go out of style.

Proven. Powerful. Personal.

COLDWELL BANKER | REALTY MICHELLE KIRSCHNER, REALTOR 561.373.2154 www.michellekirschner.net

© 2022 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker® System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

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Western County an Emerging Business Center

AN

evolution is taking place along the Palm Beach County coast. Not along its 47 miles of Atlantic beaches, but out west by the shores of Lake Okeechobee.

The Glades Region employs 118,000 in the agriculture, forestry and related food industries that drives $11 billion in county business. Ideally located at a crossroads of South Florida, Palm Beach County’s “other coast” has emerged as a thriving center of distribution and logistics, manufacturing, health care and 21st century agriculture.

Well known for growing sugarcane, winter vegetables, ornamental landscaping and sod, the “tricities” of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay today offer thousands of acres of developable industrial and commercial property—all at a regional crossroads that puts them an hour or less from major business and population centers across southern Florida.

Working with the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic (LORE) Alliance of Palm Beach County, the “Glades Region” features expedited permitting, Enterprise Zones, Designated Rural Area Tax Credits and other economic incentives that arriving companies seek. Economic development officials in the area also provide recruitment, retention and career training for a 40,000-strong workforce—all tailored to the needs of arriving businesses.

The effort has worked. LORE, which promotes sustainable economic growth in the region, since 2006 has worked with its city partners to attract to the region new companies and hundreds of jobs with salaries of up to $55,000 and higher.

Among the attributes that make the Glades attractive to any employers are its…

COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT. Along with sharing highly attractive attributes, such as available labor, no state or local income tax, and a favorable business and environmental climate, Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay regularly work together on shared legislative needs. These include funding for infrastructure needs and other state investment.

winter 2022 pbc business

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LORE

Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance lorealliancepbc.org

Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center

ACCESS. The Glades lie at a logistical crossroads that puts the tricities 100 miles from 75 percent of the state’s population.

U.S. 441 and U.S. 27 bisect the region and are intersected by State Road 80, which runs coast to coast from West Palm Beach to Fort Myers. Rail lines Florida East Coast Railway Company and the South Central Florida Railroad connect with CSX Railway and Norfolk Southern to connect the region to the U.S. and Canada.

Completing the network is the planned 850-acre, 10 millionsquare-foot inland Intermodal Logistics Center, which will boost international trade, logistics and freight handling. The region is an hour—or less—from three international airports and seaports.

WORKFORCE AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING. Workforce development agencies collaborate with local employers to train the area’s 40,000 residents for tomorrow’s jobs today. When construction materials firm Finfrock announced its planned $40 million facility in Belle Glade, they turned to local technical school WestTech for specialized employee training. Other agencies include CareerSource Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College and the Glades Career Readiness Roundtable. Area higher education includes the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Everglades Research Education Center.

“We work directly with employers to provide immediate and continuous customized training,” said West Technical Education Center Principal Dr. Charlene R. Ford. “West Tech” also is home to commercial driving courses, five apprenticeship programs, the Glades Construction Academy and the Mechatronics Academy for robotics and advanced manufacturing.

EXISTING INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING. Given its deep roots and 500,000 acres of rich soil, called “muck” by those who farm it, the region’s largest employers currently are U.S. Sugar, Florida Crystals, and independent farmer members of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida. Sustainable manufacturer Tellus turns sugarcane fiber into plates and bowls that completely biodegrade in 84 days.

12 | pbc business winter 2022

A powerful regional economic development organization, the Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance of Palm Beach County (LORE) focuses on the western region of Palm Beach County – known as “The Glades” – through education, advocacy, and business attraction, retention, and expansion.

LORE’s multifaceted initiatives include employment, housing, neighborhood revitalization, and community empowerment as well as support for new and expanding businesses in the Glades region, in partnership with the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. When the LORE-BDB partnership began in 2013, there were no active business expansion or relocation prospects. Since then, number companies in a wide range of industries have opened in the Glades, supporting economic diversification – one of LORE’s key goals.

Along with a high quality of life, one of the region’s many strengths is outdoor recreation. For generations, “Gladesmen” have hunted, fished, camped and explored this region whose allure has only grown over the years. Fishing and boating on the second-largest freshwater lake in the continental U.S. is legendary, especially when winter temperatures hover in the 70s.

With help from the state’s economic development arm, Enterprise Florida, is boosting tourism. One plan for 2022 is a “geocaching” outdoor recreational activity. Locals and tourists will use their smartphones to find custom-made tokens hidden throughout the region—and learn about the area’s history in the process.

More importantly than the treasure tourists will find will be the treasure they will bring, said LORE’s Christine Radentz. For every 85 tourists you lure, a new job is created. “With thousands of people and businesses moving to Florida, Palm Beach County’s western region offers the most open and fertile lands for new development,” Radentz said. “With open lands and new leadership eager to work with next-generation employers, there’s room to grow in the region’s next development destination.”

West Technical Education Center

CITY OF

CITY OF

SOUTH BAY Population: 5,185

PAHOKEE

Population: 6,029

cityofpahokee.com

Pahokee prides itself for its “old Florida charm,” with 2022 marking its centennial. But with new leadership at city hall, the city is rolling out a fresh welcome mat for new business.

southbaycity.com

No city epitomizes the region’s geographic importance more than South Bay. Known as “the crossroads of South Florida,” the city is located at the intersection of S.R. 80 and U.S. 27 and set on a state-approved distribution corridor. Add to this its investment in and commitment to business infrastructure, and the region’s westernmost municipality is perfectly placed for logistics, distribution and manufacturing.

With rail accessibility, stormwater management and water systems in place, this “horizontal infrastructure” has prepared the city for vertical development. The South Bay Park of Commerce is an 88-acre industrial site that’s “ready to go,” said City Manager Leondrae Camel, a county native skilled in planning and zoning.

Nearby, plans to modernize a processing plant for the region’s winter vegetable crop have been approved. The city is reviewing plans for a 230,000-square-foot plant for personal protective equipment.

CEOs and business owners—from across Florida, New York, even California—appreciate affordable and expedited building permitting and no impact fees.

“That attracts developers and site developers,” said Camel, whose experience as a land planner makes his office a welcome destination for prospective businesses. “No city manager in the Glades can offer you that. For developers, that’s meaningful.”

“We’re on the map,” Camel said. “We’re not that sleepy little town people pass through. We’re important to industry.”

City of South Bay–known as “the crossroads of South Florida”

Pahokee Airport

Located directly on Lake Okeechobee, the city has long attracted vacationers looking for a less harried destination from the Atlantic coast.

Its plans are varied. It lately has fielded interest from housing developers with plans for housing and condominiums. The city is eyeing its Pahokee Campground and Marina to transition into a premier destination for camping and boating on Lake Okeechobee with a direct view of the lake. The hope is to transform it into a stopover and maintenance destination for high-end yachts traveling from the Atlantic to the Gulf.

Pahokee Marina and Campground

Leaders are also hoping to build traditional and ecotourism.

Several NFL players are reviving the Muck Tavern restaurant on site, building on the region’s quality lifestyle as well as its role in producing football talent—64 NFL players came out of the Glades region. It’s even been the subject of several movies, including one screened at the Sundance Film Festival.

City Manager Greg Thompson called theirs a “commonsense approach” to finding investors to drive revenue into the city. “There’s not much land to develop up and down the coast.

We have land and room to grow,” he said. “There’s a willingness to work with investors and developers with a vision for the future.

That’s what we offer. And a view of the lake that’s like no other.”

winter 2022 pbc business

| 13

Population: 18,061

Palm Beach State College Belle Glade Campus

belleglade-fl.com

Though Belle Glade’s motto is “Her soil is her future,” agriculture is being joined by a host of other industries and companies that are rounding out its business profile and raising the region’s allure.

Case in point: Construction materials firm Finfrock. The company in February announced plans for a $40 million, 140,000square-foot facility on 94 acres in Belle Glade. Its arrival will elevate the business tidings of the tricities area. Along with more than 200 higher-wage jobs, the Glades region will see an estimated five-year economic impact of at least $242 million.

What Finfrock found is no surprise to other employers, said City Manager Dr. Robert Rease. The city is home to a robust labor pool, and it’s within an hour of major airports and seaports.

The location will put the Orlando-based company closer to business across the Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade county markets.

The region’s need for more—and affordable—housing also is attracting investors. Under development is a 254-residence multifamily community, with a single-family complex recently put out to bid. Well placed geographically, Belle Glade serves as a bedroom community for residents who work in cities to the east, including Wellington, Loxahatchee and the Royal Palm area.

Looking to explore the area? Well known to boaters and bass fishermen from throughout the region and the country, the city’s Torry Island Campground & Marina remains a popular destination. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center on the Belle Glade campus of Palm Beach State College boats 467 seats and a seasonal lineup of first-rate entertainment, including touring musicians and live theatre.

“Why Belle Glade?” Rease asked. “We’re a great community with hard workers and an ideal location. If you locate your business here, you can easily get to any point in Florida.”

Learn more about the Glades Region of Palm Beach County by visiting www.PBCGlades.org, a website managed by the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County as it assists all partners in the Glades Region on economic development efforts.

Finrock

14 | pbc business winter 2022

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[7] SANSBURYS WAY BUSINESS CENTER [1] Located in West Palm Beach, Sansburys Way is suited to a variety of business uses. The property consists of three buildings totaling 433,407 square feet.

THE PARK @ BROKEN SOUND [2] The Park @ Broken Sound in Boca Raton has up to 171,490 square feet of office space available for corporate headquarters or other tenants. Amenities include an on-site fitness center, conferencing facility, cafeteria and salon.

PALM BEACH LOGISTICS CENTER [3] Palm Beach Logistics Center is situated in the western area of West Palm Beach. It consists of 300,000 square feet of warehouse buildings.

PGA STATION [4] Located in Palm Beach Gardens, PGA Station offers up to 215,487 square feet of new Class A office space, along with 100,400 square feet of existing office space within a master-planned, mixed-use development just off I-95.

CLEMATIS WATERFRONT DISTRICT [5]

Located in downtown West Palm Beach, the Clematis Waterfront District is a pedestrian-oriented retail corridor.

Developers are planning the renovation and historic preservation of a 42,263-square-foot building and construction of a new 12-story Class A office tower with 100,000 square feet of space.

[9]

[8] To facilitate business relocation and expansion plans, the Business Development Board tracks large-scale sites that appeal to office, industrial, retail and residential users. Here are nine of Palm Beach County’s many attractive available sites and spaces. Please contact the BDB for more information on these properties at info@bdb.org.

[6] PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

With 175 acres of space, Palm Beach International Raceway is the largest available site remaining fully zoned for industrial development in South Florida. The project, located in the northern unincorporated area, can accommodate up to 2.4 million square feet of development.

It currently serves as a motorsports facility.

[7] PALM BEACH PARK OF COMMERCE

With 945 acres of commercial and industrial land in northern Palm Beach County, Palm Beach Park of Commerce offers prime build-to-suit sites ranging from 5 to 50 acres.

The Park is entitled for up to 6.5 million square feet of development and is now home to more than 70 businesses, including Amazon, Walgreens, McLane, and Niagara Bottling Company.

[8] ONE FLAGLER TOWER

One Flagler is a 25-story Class A office tower in West Palm Beach near the Royal Park Bridge to Palm Beach.

The Related Group broke ground on the project in November, and pre-lease tenants include First Republic Bank and Siris Capital.

[9] PALM BEACH AGGREGATES

This 4,000-acre tract on Southern Boulevard (S.R. 80, U.S. 441) in rural Palm Beach County offers a variety of development opportunities. It is located seven miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 14 miles of I-95 and Palm Beach International Airport, with Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay 25 minutes further to the west. A portion of the site is approved for an electric power generation facility.

winter 2022 pbc business |

15

UF, SCRIPPS RESEARCH Greenlight Integration for Florida Powerhouse

University of Florida President Fuchs at a BDB Breakfast in November 2021 sharing plans for an additional expansion into West Palm Beach for a 13-acre campus focused on advanced degrees.

THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA and California-based Scripps Research have signed a definitive agreement to welcome the Florida branch of the science powerhouse into the research arm of UF’s academic health center. The goal? To build on the excellent scientific work taking place to more expediently unlock clinical advances that improve outcomes for patients in the state and around the world, officials from both organizations said.

As part of the agreement, here’s what you need to know:

16 | pbc business winter 2022

n Scripps will transfer all assets associated with the 30-acre Scripps Florida campus in Jupiter, including property, buildings, equipment and adjacent 70acre tract to the University of Florida. n The campus includes more than 40 faculty-led laboratories. n It includes a 500-member team dedicated to understanding an array of illnesses and seeking to generate effective treatments. n UF and UF Health have committed to work with Scripps Florida leadership to immediately hire additional faculty. n New recruits will come on board within the next five years and will complement the existing talent pool of scientists there, possibly expanding efforts in the artificial intelligence domain by hiring faculty focused on areas such as data science and AI. n Other natural areas of collaboration with colleagues in other parts of UF Health potentially include cancer, drug discovery, immunology and infectious disease, neuroscience (including Alzheimer’s and other aging-related diseases, as well as autism), HIV/AIDS, and structural biology and molecular medicine.

TWO NEW EXPANSIONS OCCUPY

MORE THAN 100,000 SQUARE FEET

The Business Development Board assisted two distribution deals in the food industry totaling more than 100,000 square feet and hundreds of jobs. It helped with expedited permitting in collaboration with Palm Beach County's Planning, Building and Zoning department.

JUST RYT FOODS

Just Ryt Foods, Inc., a family-owned and U.S.-operated business specializing in importing, wholesaling, and producing Italian and Mediterranean gourmet foods., is expanding to Palm Beach County in 2022. The thriving young company plans to create 50plus jobs to establish long-standing careers at a new build-tosuit 60,000-square-foot facility located in the Palm Beach Park of Commerce.

Referred by Steve Garine, the Business Development Board assisted Just Ryt Foods with expedited permitting and introductions to CareerSource Palm Beach County. The company engaged Collins Development Company, the full-service development and owner’s representation firm, to spearhead the development of their new headquarters.

The company was recently ranked on the 2021 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, and the company’s president, Justin Comparetto, has been ranked in the South Florida Business Journal’s “40 under 40” list.

IDEAL NUTRITION Ideal Nutrition, a healthy meal delivery company, will expand in West Palm Beach, creating 170 new jobs at a new 43,000-square-foot facility at 350 Haverhill Road.

Founded in Palm Beach County in 2016, Ideal Nutrition has grown to four storefront locations spanning from Boca Raton up to Palm Beach Gardens. The distribution facility in West Palm Beach will include an expanded commissary kitchen, allowing it to cook more efficiently to accommodate the rapid growth.

The company offers more than 40 different meals and creates new menu items weekly, providing them in the form of delivery, pickup or subscriptions. This hybrid model has proven to cater to the needs of many different markets. With state-of-the-art technology, anyone can walk into the storefront locations to choose their freshly cooked meal directly out of refrigerators, heat it up on site, and dine on the spot. The new expansion will prepare more meals for the storefronts, but the future goal is to expand the delivery service nationally.

winter 2022 pbc business |

17

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Harvey Oyer BDB Chair Shutts & Bowen LLP Representing Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches Brian Seymour BDB Vice Chair Gunster Director at Large

Harvey Oyer BDB Chair

J. Michael Prince Treasurer USPA Global Licensing Inc. Representing Commissioner Maria Marino Juan Tagle Secretary JP Morgan Chase Director at Large Ben Boynton Boynton Financial Group Director at Large Frank Compiani Retired, RSM US, LLP Representing Economic Council Gina Melby HCA Palm Beach Hospitals Director at Large Fabiola Brumley Bank of America Director at Large George Elmore, Emeritus Hardrives, Inc. Director at Large Ken Kahn, Emeritus LRP Media Group Director at Large Don Kiselewski Florida Power & Light Director at Large Mayor Robert Weinroth Palm Beach County Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Carey O’Donnell Past Chair Native Intelligence Director at Large Kelly Smallridge Business Development Board of Palm Beach County

18 | pbc business winter 2022

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OUR BDB BOARD OF DIRECTORS Colonel Antonio Araujo Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Representing Commissioner Kerner

Eric Kelly Quantum Foundation Representing Economic Council

Mark Bellissimo Equestrian Sport Productions Director at Large

Gary Lesser Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC Representing Economic Council

Richard Bernstein Richard S. Bernstein Insurance Group, Inc. Director at Large

Brendan Lynch Plastridge Insurance Director at Large

Cressman Bronson PNC Bank Director at Large

Mark Matthews Representing Commissioner Maria Sachs Jim Maus Aerojet Rocketdyne Director at Large

Marty Cass BDO Director at Large

Michele McGovern Baptist Health Representing Commissioner Bernard

Stephen Chang Suffolk Construction Director at Large Bobby D’Angelo Compson Associates Director at Large

Neil Merin NAI/Merin Hunter Codman Representing Economic Council

Matthew Enochs Pratt & Whitney Director at Large

Dr. David Nicholson Stiles Nicholson Foundation Director at Large

Pepe Fanjul Jr. Florida Crystals Director at Large

Richard Rendina Rendina Healthcare Real Estate Director at Large

Jesse Flowers, II SouthState Bank Representing the Greater Delray Beach Chamber

Donia Roberts Donia Roberts, PA Representing Lake Okeechobee Regional Economic Alliance

Jake Geleerd Tortoise Properties Director at Large

Randy Spicer Jr. Moss Construction Director at Large

George Gentile 2GHO Representing Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce

Keith Spina Spina O’Rourke + Partners Representing Commissioner Greg Weiss

Kyle Gilley Carrier Corporation Director at Large

Erick Strati Wells Fargo Director at Large

Francisco Gonzalez Gonzalez, Shenkman & Buckstein, P.L. Representing Central Palm Beach County Chamber Joey Jacobs Wexford Capital Director at Large

Bob Tucker ADT Representing Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Katherine Waldron Port of Palm Beach Commissioner Representing Port of Palm Beach

EX-OFFICIO Julia Dattolo CareerSource Palm Beach County Mike Burke School District of Palm Beach County Dr. John Kelly Florida Atlantic University Ava L. Parker, J.D. Palm Beach State College Pam Rauch Florida Power & Light Representing Economic Council

winter 2022 pbc business |

19

NEWS

PALM BEACH COUNTY

RANKED AT THE TOP

n n

Did You Know Fun Facts: About Florida Atlantic University n n

n n

n

n

Currently, 18 former FAU grads play in the NFL. Three of them were Super Bowl LV champions.

FAU was recognized nationally for diversity in engineering

by The American Society of Engineering Education with its highest award for its commitment to inclusive excellence.

FAU moved up four spots in the U.S. News & World Report list of “Top Public Schools” to #136.

FAU and Memorial Healthcare System established a new research partnership to advance clinical trials and develop state-of-the-art research tools.

For 10 consecutive years, FAU has been rated as “Military Friendly” and recently received the Gold designation by Victoria Media.

FAU A.D. Henderson University School ranked #2 in America for K-5 “Best Public Elementary School” and #11 for “Best Public Middle School” by Niche.

Three Events Bring New Information

to BDB Members

U.S. Ambassadors share the inside scoop on what it was like to be a U.S. Ambassador.

20 | pbc business winter 2022

n

Palm Beach County Ranked in the 4 Best Places to Live in Florida

by PureWow West Palm Beach-Boca Raton-Delray Beach Ranked in the Top 10 Metros with the Busiest Commercial Markets by National Association of Realtors (NAR) THREE of Palm Beach County’s Colleges and Universities made the list for “Top Colleges and Universities for Hispanics” by Hispanic Outlook on Education. Congratulations to Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College and Nova Southeastern University

NEW EDUCATION WEBSITE:

The Business Development Board is pleased to announce the revamping of its education microsite, a portal that promotes education options to CEOs outside of Palm Beach County interested in relocating. Visit www.PBCedu.org.

NewDay USA CEO Rob Posner shares new plans of hiring 600 people in downtown West Palm Beach. Thank you to sponsor Related.

Siris Capital Co-Founder Frank Baker shares why he relocated to Palm Beach recently.

Thank you to sponsor BDO.

Supply Chain Issues and Solutions

Y

By Sherry Howard, Deputy Director Palm Beach County Department of Housing & Economic Development

ou can’t turn on the news without hearing about how the

safety at rest areas and lower wages. Ms. Miller has been a

pandemic has created supply chain issues across the country.

frequent panelist at Divas in the Trucking Industry in addition

The pandemic has disrupted shipping and transportation

to Linda Allen, a truck owner-operator for more than 20

logistics worldwide, and businesses are finding it difficult to obtain

years who has been featured on “60 Minutes” speaking

critical materials or inventory, resulting in lost revenues,

about women in trucking. Ms. Hughes indicates that “As a

productivity and, in some cases, jobs. As an example, one local

result of these workshops and training sessions, four

Palm Beach County-based import/export produce company

individuals have ‘joined’ the industry, and three attendees

indicates that business is being affected due to a 30 to 40 percent

have started their own trucking businesses.”

reduction of the products the company exports to the Caribbean.

Similarly, CareerSource Palm Beach County examined the

One of the myriad reasons cited for the current supply chain issue

current and anticipated needs of the Transportation and

is the commercial driver shortage, which has only been exacerbated

Warehousing industry sector as part of their update to the

due to the pandemic. In an industry that suffers from high turnover,

Regional Targeted Occupations List, which determines their

truck drivers are seen as a hot commodity,

local Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funded

and

of

training. The latest Local Targeted Occupations List of high-

Commerce, the industry is responding

growth/high-wage occupations includes tractor-trailer truck

with double-digit wage increases.

drivers; forklift operators; transportation, storage and

according

to

the

Journal

One of the economic development

distribution managers; and bus and truck mechanics and

goals for Palm Beach County is to

diesel engine specialists. CareerSource highlighted two major

enhance and expand opportunities for

concerns in logistics and transportation. First was the

training and support services to new and

advanced age of the local workforce and the large number of

upcoming businesses, and/or workforce

industry retirements, and second was an annual quit rate in

career development, which includes

the trucking business at over 90 percent. “CareerSource

truck drivers. This is critical in an industry

provides training scholarships to qualified applicants in

where costs of driver recruitment and training can exceed $10,000

occupations that support this industry, and they work with our

per driver in some regions. The PBC Department of Housing and

local technical schools and training providers to inform them

Economic Development assists in advancing this goal through

of our findings,” commented Peter Pignatoaro, manager of

partnerships with job training and career development agencies.

Performance Analysis for CareerSource Palm Beach County.

Victoria A. Hughes, director of one such agency, the Florida

The full listing of training opportunities, training programs and

Women’s Business Center, started a weekly workshop called “Divas

courses, and training outcome report card are found on its

in the Trucking Industry” in August of 2020. According to Ms.

website: www.careersourcepbc.com/job-seekers/training-

Hughes, “With the surging need for drivers in the industry, it was the

opportunities.

right time for us to support our clients. As our workshop became

With issues come opportunities, and Palm Beach

more relevant, learning from seasoned drivers (women and men)

County stands at the ready to explore strategies to keep

was essential.” Similarly, Desiree Miller, of Boynton Beach, started

our economy resilient. For more information about the

the nationwide advocacy group “Real Women in Trucking” 10 years

Department of Housing & Economic Development, please

ago to bring attention to issues in the industry for women, including

visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/HED/Pages/default.aspx

winter 2022 pbc business |

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Live

Work

52

6,000

$88K

Median Age

Businesses / Institutions

Average Visitor Income

City Population

30,000

1M/Y Year

8,500

Local Workforce e Population

Visitors and Tourism

111,952

Residential Population

1,457

(residential units)

N E C

Stay

Hotel Rooms

F O R E T Shoreline to skyline

Downtown West Palm Beach has beco ome an experiential epicenter surrounded by local landmarkss, destinations, and districts. With a rich history, serene waterway, and drive for innovation, downtown inspires unparallele ed opportunities for people to live, work, play an nd stay in paradise.

To explore opportunities in Downtown West Palm Beach h, visit DowntownWPB.com or call 561.833 3.8873

A 4 5 9F l

a eA

e paeB Bi d

1 / 12

10

M

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

A CareerSource Young Adult Success Story Rasool Jassam is one of the many young adults

whose career goals have been

facilitated by CareerSource Palm Beach County. In March, he was hired as a tech support specialist at Premier Virtual, an online job and career event platform based in Delray Beach. “I am the first contact for our users, who include individuals and businesses attending our job fairs,” said Jassam. “I also help with other team projects and gaining new skills, such as training a chatbot to answer calls more efficiently.”

In August 2020, Jassam completed a one-month job readiness course offered through CareerSource Palm Beach County’s Youth and Young Adult Program. “I had left my prior job just before COVID hit, and was having a hard time finding a new position,” said Jassam, a 2017 high school graduate.

While taking the virtual course, Jassam demonstrated his technical skills and was invited to apply for an internship at Premier Virtual, paid by CareerSource. “It was a great learning opportunity for me, and really helped me find the right position,” he said.

Steve Edwards, managing partner/CEO at Premier Virtual, agreed.

“Working with CareerSource for our hiring needs has been great,” he said.

“We have hired two people in the last few months, and the team at CareerSource has been very helpful. They reached out to me regarding Rasool as a potential intern. He worked out so well that we ended up hiring him full time.”

Reflecting on his experience, Jassam said, “If you are a job-seeker, don’t be afraid to reach out to CareerSource. Tell them your goals, and show them your skills. It’s an excellent way to keep moving ahead.”

winter 2022 pbc business |

23

BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Helping A Professional’s Career Transition Suzanne Fisher Reeder is enjoying her role as

account executive with the Sports Facilities Companies in Clearwater. “Our mission is to improve the health and economic vitality in the communities we serve through financial analysis and development of youth and adult facilities,” she said.

Reeder credits CareerSource Palm Beach County with helping her make a smooth career transition.

“My background is in parks and recreation,” she said. “CareerSource provided me with a grant to obtain a Project Management Certification through a course at Florida Atlantic University. Soon afterwards, I was hired as a project manager and recently [was] promoted to account manager.”

Reeder said the certification program provided her with tools and strategies she uses on her job.

“I would recommend CareerSource to every professional considering a new position,” she said. “The team was kind and considerate while guiding me along my path to a new position. It was a great experience.”

CareerSource Palm Beach County’s full-service centers are staffed with career coaches and consultants who are dedicated to serving first-time, experienced and professional job seekers. The services include career consulting, computers for job searches, internet access to our statewide jobs database Employ Florida, job search and placement services, workshops, training opportunities, work assessments and more. To learn more, go to careersourcepbc.com.

Central Career Center 3400 Belvedere Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 561.340.1060

West Career Center 1085 S. Main St. Belle Glade, FL 33430 561.829.2040

Connecting business with talent | www.careersourcepbc.com

24 | pbc business winter 2022

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Put your care in our care

As part of the Baptist Health family, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West and Boca Raton Regional Hospital are dedicated to you and the communities we serve. With our wide range of services — including urgent care, primary and specialty care, surgery centers and diagnostic imaging — Baptist Health has you covered, close to home. Our family is committed to yours.

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