March 28, 2024

Southeast: Seizing Opportunities

Creative thinkers build on region's strengths to support new sectors and forge a prosperous future.

Jeff Zbar | 9/24/2009

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Thinking ahead: Palm Beach County’s “Smart Start Palm Beach” campaign, launched in 2008, has four key elements: (1) expedited permitting in 11 cities, with specific emphasis on bringing key industry categories such as healthcare, energy/green companies and communications/information technology to the county’s unincorporated areas; (2) a global headquarters initiative to catalog and showcase its available Class A space; (3) partnerships between business leaders, area chambers and mayors to create a business retention program; and (4) a “shovel ready” site program to analyze available properties throughout the county and match them with companies keen to move into and around the area within three to 36 months. One such success was Office Depot, the long-time county employer which just relocated to a new 635,000-square-foot facility in Boca Raton, retaining 1,700 jobs for the region.


Seeds from jatropha trees grown in Florida can be crushed and the resulting oil processed to produce a high-quality biodiesel fuel. [Photo:Gary Coronado]
Bio-business heats up: In spring 2009, Delray Beach-based biofuel startup Ag-Oil LLC planted 20 acres of jatropha; when the trees mature in 18 months, the seeds will be used to make biodiesel fuel. The company received a $2.5-million Florida renewable energy grant to build a $20-million biodiesel production facility that is expected to support more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, says Brian Weprin, Ag-Oil’s project manager. Why Delray Beach? The location is seven miles from I-95 and a CSX rail line, and close to expansive agricultural property should the concept take hold. Says Weprin: “Our goal is to make sure we have the most efficient seeds and strains, and the room to grow them.”

Signs of the times: Baron Sign Manufacturing in Riviera Beach has been making signs for 26 years and in 2008, topped $9.5 million in revenues. Ready to expand, founder Sandra Foland bought 4.5 acres in a county Enterprise Zone and built a 40,000-square-foot facility to house her 50 employees and growing operations. A half-dozen new businesses subsequently joined the sign manufacturer in the area, and Foland now has plans to add 15% more space to her existing building.

Tags: Southeast, Business Florida

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