History Highlights

Participated on Selection Committee for New Indian River State College, Chastain Campus President: New Campus President selected, Dr. Alessandro Anzalone started August – 2021

Participated on Selection Committee for new Appointed School Superintendent: First appointed School Superintendent, Dr. John Millay started October – 2020

Participated on Selection Committee for New Indian River State College President:  First new College President in 32 years selected.  Dr. Tim Moore started July -- 2020

U.S. Customs Facility at Witham Field:  Led the collaborative effort for over a decade to establish the first multi-modal, user fee U.S. Customs Facility at Witham Field to allow both aircraft and marine vessels to clear customs in Martin County. -2011 (first approval), 2019 (facility opened and in operation with Economic Council Grand Opening Hanger Party)

Supported a Ballot Initiative for and Appointed School Superintendent:  Actively supported and wrote an OP Ed piece in support of an Appointed School Superintendent.  Ballot initiative was widely supported by the community and passed overwhelmingly. -- 2018

Televised School Board Meetings:  Promoted and advocated televising the Martin County School Board meeting and the adoption of School Facilities Planning and Siting Element within the Comprehensive Plan.

Foreign Trade Zone:  Lobbied successfully for the original designation of Foreign Trade Zone status for the airport property.  Later supported continuing participating in the Palm Beach County FTZ when a new Alternative Site Framework was proposed.  – 2013

High-Speed Community Broadband Network:  Played an instrumental role in advocating for a public/private partnership to build a high-speed community-based network saving taxpayers an 835% increase in annual lease costs for the existing network. - 2011

Advocacy for the Marine Industry:   Advocated for protection against the loss of waterfront industries, support of Amendment 6, and Manatee Pocket Dredging and expansion of marine related industries; including Hinkley Yachts, Southpoint Anchorage and Riverside Marina. – 2009

Advocated for the Aviation Industry:  Advocated for the passage of FAA proposal clarifying boundary definitions, facility revitalization and business expansion of Fixed Based Operators, and provided input on Airport Business Development Plan. - 2008

LSTAR and Targeted Business Zoning Ordinance:  Led the effort, participated in the development and advocated for the adoption of the LSTAR and Targeted Business Zoning Ordinance that allows zoning flexibility, ensures a 15 day expedited permitting process and reduces zoning fees for targeted businesses. - 2008

Envisioned a Life Science Campus:  Developed a conceptual vision plan for the Life Science Technology and Research (LSTAR) campus to be located adjacent to Cove Road, Salerno Road and Willoughby Blvd. This ‘campus’ is anchored by Martin Health/Cleveland Clinic South Hospital and Indian River State College along with the Martin County Library. – 2002

Envisioned a Life Science Campus:  Developed a conceptual vision plan for the Life Science Technology and Research (LSTAR) campus to be located adjacent to Cove Road, Salerno Road and Willoughby Blvd. This ‘campus’ is anchored by Martin Health/Cleveland Clinic South Hospital and Indian River State College along with the Martin County Library. – 2002

Business Development Board:  To accomplish economic growth goals, the Council sought the cooperation and resources of other business groups and government.  To this end, the Council spearheaded the formation of a public/private partnership known as the Business Development Board of Martin County.  This entity is charged with business retention, expansion, and recruitment of new business to Martin County.  – 1991

 Land Acquisition Selection Committee:  The Council held a seat on the Land Acquisition Selection Committee since its inception.  This committee makes recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners on property acquisitions funded with “Lands for You” bond proceeds. – 1990 – 2014

 St. Lucie River Initiative:  Founding member and financial contributor to the St. Lucie River Initiative, an organization created by private business leaders to push for cleanup of the St. Lucie River. - 1991 

 School Concurrency:  Concurrency means that there will be enough schools at the right time and the right place for future needs and demands. The Economic Council approached the county School Board and requested that they form a School Concurrency Assurance Committee, involving local government, community and business representatives in the validation and monitoring of school concurrency under the leadership and direction of the School Board. This request passed unanimously. The Council participated in the creation of the Public-School Facilities Element within the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan and continues to support school concurrency and enhanced educational opportunities. - 1996

 Conservation Lands Task Force:  The Council successfully organized and advocated for the highest ranking possible for three State Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) sites located in Martin County. In December of 1996, the Council addressed the state CARL Committee in Tallahassee promoting the highest ranking for the purchase of these sites. We were pleased when the Pal-Mar site was ranked #1, Atlantic Ridge #2, and the new addition of Allapattah Ranch site was ranked 15 out of 34. Items ranked above 19 had the best chance for funding. The Council requested that the County Commission form a special task force which would investigate local funding mechanisms to make these environmental lands the most attractive for purchase. Preserving important lands, helping with water storage and contributing to the cleanup of the St. Lucie River, are the achievable goals of this program. – 1996-1997

 Rivers Coalition:  Founding member of this organization which brought together diverse County organizations concerned with the health of our rivers. – 1998

 Economic Council was Founded:  The Economic Council was founded in 1985 by a small group of business leaders.  They saw the need for a more focused approach by the business community in working with local governments to assure the creation of a high-quality community.  This group recognized the value of a vibrant, local economy and the role it plays in driving the development of high quality public cultural arts facilities, education, built communities, and environmental preservation. - 1985

 Council for the Arts:  Recognizing the importance of the arts and culture to the county’s economic well-being, the Council formed the Arts and Culture Task Force.  This task force immediately began a cooperative effort with a dormant arts foundation to form and fund the Martin County Council for the Arts.  This Arts Council is now the established arts and cultural umbrella organization acting as clearing house for county-wide activities.  - 1986

 Education Initiatives:  The Economic Council initiated several education programs which were spun off after being firmly established.  Partners in Education was one of the first programs started by the Council in cooperation with the Martin County School District.  This program is now conducted by several of the County’s Chambers of Commerce.  Another program sponsored by the Council for several years was the Mini-Grant Program.  Under this program, the Council provided funds to match State Challenge Grant funds, which supported new imaginative programs conducted by individual teachers.  Teachers with winning programs were recognized at the Council’s annual dinner.

 Economic Element of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan:  A task force of the Economic Council, realizing the need for an economic element to the Growth Management plan, mobilized the business community into a cooperative effort with county government to fund a consultant’s study.  This study was adopted by the County Commission and incorporated into the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as the Economic Element.  The element sets priorities and strategies for achieving economic growth in Martin County.  One such priority was the establishment of a countywide economic development entity.  – 1989-1990