Brazil
In a year when Florida's economy continued to struggle, the most notable economic players were the Brazilian companies, visitors and entrepreneurs who stepped up their presence in the state — turning 2011 into a watershed year.
In November, local business and community leaders gathered in a sixth-floor meeting room at the Port of Palm Beach to celebrate a new arrival. Two Brazilian entrepreneurs had chosen the Riviera Beach port as the base for their new venture, America's Natural Caffeine, a caffeine supplier to manufacturers. It would occupy an unused building, turn out tons of caffeine a month and create 75 jobs paying an average of $62,000, 40% above the county average. All told, the company would invest $25 million, with nary a dollar in government incentive money.
Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the local economic development group, the Business Development Board, says she believes it to be the first sizable Brazilian business investment in Palm Beach County.
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