Ron Bunch

STUART — Martin County, long a standout in Florida for its hostility to growth, underwent a dramatic change in attitude in three years. Certainly, credit the recession. But also credit Ron Bunch, who became executive director of the Business Development Board of Martin County three years ago. With Bunch in the lead, the board won local approval for economic development programs and incentives and saw the county nearly double its financial support of the board. Twelve companies in the county received state awards for business innovation and growth, more than any other county in Florida. “Ron has changed the face of economic development in Martin County since coming to the community in 2007,” says Kathryn Spencer, president of the development board. “Our business climate has moved 180 degrees — from ‘closed’ to ‘open, welcoming, and ready.’ ”

Bunch resigned in December to become president and CEO of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce in Kentucky. He says the Martin board has “the necessary tools to close deals and be successful.”