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Press Release
New partnership to boost manufacturing industry
Today, the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB) and the South Florida Manufacturing Association (SFMA) announced a new partnership to foster the growth of the manufacturing industry in Palm Beach County. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the BDB Board of Directors meeting, in collaboration with representatives from SFMA’s board members, hosted at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
As both organizations have strong connections with local manufacturers, it’s a strategic way to align efforts and work together. The SFMA advocates for manufacturers across the South Florida Region covering 8 counties that include: Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, and Indian River. This territory serves over 6,000 manufacturers, representing a large pool of potential expansions into Palm Beach County. The BDB actively recruits companies in the manufacturing industry to relocate to or expand in Palm Beach County. Just within the past five years, the BDB has assisted over 30 manufacturing companies, creating over 3,600 jobs for local residents, and investing over $281 million into the local economy. These companies have occupied over 1.8 million sq. ft. of space.
A prime example of the connection between the two organizations is a recent SFMA “South Florida Manufacturer-of-the-Year” award recipient, Tellus Products, a manufacturing facility in Belle Glade turning sugarcane fiber into eco-friendly plates and bowls. Prior to this award, the BDB actually assisted Tellus Products in establishing a presence in Belle Glade a couple of years ago, creating 100 jobs.
In fact, most winners in each category in this year's SFMA Recognition of Excellence Ceremony were Palm Beach County-based companies including HABCO, Lockheed Martin’s Rotary & Mission Systems, Tellus Products, and S.V. Microwave. Two Palm Beach County-based manufacturing companies also received statewide recognition at the Governor’s Sterling Awards Banquet in Orlando on May 31. Habilitation Center of Boca (HABCO) and Lockheed Martin were both “2019 Florida Sterling Manufacturing Business Excellence” winners.
"We are so proud of all our manufacturers throughout South Florida", said Matthew Rocco, President of the South Florida Manufacturers Association. “It’s a testament to the strength of manufacturing in Palm Beach County.”
“From Boca Raton to Belle Glade, manufacturing companies of any size can really thrive in Palm Beach County. There are over 20,000 manufacturing jobs in the county with average earnings exceeding $76,000. This new partnership will grow the industry even more,” said Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board.
About the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA): The SFMA has held the distinction of being the dedicated resource for manufacturers in South Florida since 1961 saving its members time and money through advocacy, networking and resources. SFMA prides itself on being member driven – creating new products and services as members’ needs change. The mission of the SFMA has remained constant though out its history: To Serve Manufacturers. The SFMA advocates for manufacturers across the South Florida Region covering 8 counties that include: Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, and Indian River. This territory serves 6,000 manufacturers. For more information, please visit www.sfma.org.
About the BDB: The Business Development Board of Palm Beach County is the official public/private economic development organization for Palm Beach County and Enterprise Florida. Founded in 1982 as a not-for-profit corporation, our primary purpose is to attract and retain new industry, business investment, high quality jobs and workforce development through corporate relocations, expansions and international trade. During the past five years, the BDB has assisted companies that have created more than 12,822 direct jobs with average salaries greater than $69,062, resulting in more than $777 million in capital investment to Palm Beach County and an economic impact that exceeds $6.87 billion. Additional information can be found at the BDB’s web site, BDB.org.
