Organized and sponsored the first Stuart Charrette, a two-day town meeting to look at the future of downtown Stuart. Sixty civic, cultural and business leaders attended the seminars and discussions; conclusions lead to the establishment of the Community Redevelopment Authority, the formation of Stuart Main Street, the Community Development Block grant award, the Andres Duany Plan and revitalization of downtown Stuart.

Soon after its founding, the Economic Council took on the task of completing the State-sponsored Blue Chip County process. While the Blue Chip designation is no longer used by the State Department of Commerce, the complete program initiated much-needed recognition and introduced the County to the potential benefits of economic development.

Organized and sponsored a strategic planning conference to open the county’s Comprehensive Growth Management Plan process. Over 200 civic, cultural and business leaders were invited to a day-long series of growth management seminars and viewpoints as the process of writing and adopting the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan began.

Realizing the need for an economic growth element plan, the council mobilized the business community and county government to fund a consultant’s study. The study was adopted and incorporated in the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan as the Economic Element. The element sets priorities and strategies for achieving economic growth in Martin County. The Council continues s to lead in updating the Economic Element and makes various recommendations for improvement to the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan.

With the inclusion of the Economic Element into the comprehensive plan, which was drafted and funded with the Economic Council support, the policy was in place to enable our local government to support economic development efforts. To accomplish economic growth goals, the Council led the way to the formation of a public/private partnership today called the Business Development Board of Martin County. Member organizations include representation from all five Chambers of Commerce, the Builders Association, the Marine Industry Association, The Realtors Association, Martin County, City of Stuart and the Economic Council. Funding for the Business Development Board came from all the member groups, with Martin County and the Economic Council contributing the lion’s share.

The most significant event for Martin County and the entire region was the fundamental change in the power and methods that had dominated Martin County for the past 20 years. Martin County voters joined the rest of the nation in registering their voice for a change from the "business as usual” approach that had dominated every facet of our county government. The Economic Council, the League of Woman Voters, and Adelphia Cable joined together to produce a televised ELECTION FORUM. It was well attended by over 300 people and was carried on Adelphia to all homes with cable. Many of our members volunteered long hours with the various candidates who represented a more balanced approach toward facing our future challenges. And on election night- IT PAID OFF! The new positive attitude evident among County staff and the economic community was noticed around the state. Martin County now had an opportunity to explore its potential. The future of our environment, schools, and communities stood a better chance to pursue economic diversification and improving our tax base. Today, the Economic Council continues to host political forums and work closely with elected officials.

The Council was successful in organizing and guiding the legislative process that led the County to adopting the needed competitive advantage of having "business pay for business development” through the County’s Occupational License Fees. We simplified the fee to a flat $25.oo. We removed the extra charges on the fee that didn’t relate to business. We improved enforcement to make it fairer to the businesses that pay, and most importantly, we were able to increase 1995 issue of Florida Trend magazine. Increased support for a more proactive industrial development authority (ida): (1995) The Economic Council served as the administrative agency for Martin County’s economic development efforts. The IDA is the conduit bonding authority for Martin County’s Economic Development funding. We are pleased the IDA very aggressively and successfully assisted the following businesses in locating within Martin County: US Generating /Indiantown Co-Generating Company, Monterey Marine Corporation Expansion, Florida RF Labs, just to name a few. Today the Business Development Board functions as the administrator of the IDA and continues to aggressively seek economic development projects.

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 Growth Management Comprehensive Plan and continues to support school concurrency and enhanced educational opportunities.