 Supplier Vought Aircraft in Stuart landed incentives from Martin County officials. |
The county’s 11.3% unemployment rate partially explains why the welcome mat is out. But Business Development Board Executive Director Ron Bunch says the new approach is just the “next step” in a 2-year-old effort to reduce the county’s reliance on retirees, construction and relocations — 44% of the local economy, according to a recent Policom study.
One of Bunch’s successes has been distinguishing economic development from rooftop development in the local mind, thus sidestepping Martin’s no-growth sentiment. Bunch notes that in 1960, 91.3% of the county workforce had jobs in Martin. By 2000, it was down to 69%. Take-away: There’s plenty of room to add jobs for existing residents without adding to the population. Last year, commissioners approved a stimulus plan offering accelerated permitting and creating incentives, the first of which this year went to airplane supplier Vought Aircraft. Says Susan Valliere, chair of the county commissioners, “It’s time the board sent a message that we care. It’s important to get in the ballgame and bring high-paying jobs to Martin County. People are really hurting. No growth at all doesn’t work.”
Bunch says the extra money from the county will help existing companies stay and expand, aid small businesses and recruit new businesses, an area where Martin historically hasn’t been a player. The county has strengths. Martin has one of the top-performing school districts in Florida. It also has Jupiter Island, home to some of the wealthiest and best-connected people in the nation. Bunch hopes to encourage them to bring high-paying jobs. Florida Power & Light, meanwhile, is building the first utility-scale solar plant in Florida near Indiantown. Says Bunch, “There’s a lot going on for a county of 140,000.”