Horizons: What’s Next For Real Estate, The Economy & Martin County’s Future
Free event ‘Horizons’ sheds light on exciting investments and improvements in Martin County’s key industries, infrastructure, and real estate market.
With all the economic activity underway across the community, the Business Development Board of Martin County is helping equip area professionals with vital insights, key contacts, and fresh strategies to capitalize on opportunities, generate returns, and enhance their unique value propositions.
Cosponsored by BDBMC and Martin County REALTORS of the Treasure Coast, Horizons: What’s Next for Real Estate, The Economy and Martin County’s Future, takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on July 17 at MCRTC’s headquarters at 3204-A S.E. Federal Highway, Stuart.
Horizons will feature an array of public- and private-sector experts who will address:
- Upcoming investments at Martin County’s airport, Witham Field
- Regional transportation strategies to improve traffic flow
- Commercial and industrial real estate investments and market trends
- Regional development initiatives that will shape the area for decades to come.
Attendees will also hear from expert-led sessions and lively panel discussions addressing available property inventory, land use and zoning policies, infrastructure planning, and site-market readiness.
“One of the great strengths of Martin County is the caliber of its professional class,” says William Corbin, executive director of the BDBMC. “Realtors, small-business owners, executives, and community leaders are informed, engaged, and in constant motion to make things happen. ‘Horizons’ aims to not only further arm them with invaluable information but encourage them to embrace their unique roles in powering the local economy to higher levels.”
Keynote speaker Bob Thornton, a small business owner and acclaimed local leader recognized for his community engagement and organizational and motivational techniques, will discuss the importance of building a community team of “force multipliers.” The intent is to inspire business leaders to collaborate on enhancing Martin County’s competitiveness in the commercial and industrial real estate market, thereby attracting significant opportunities well into the future.
Attendees will learn actionable strategies to improve site readiness, streamline development processes, and attract site selectors.
“This is a can’t-miss event for any professional who wants to broaden their spheres of influence, sharpen their market knowledge, and increase their overall value proposition,” says Corbin.
Speakers include Jill Marasa of Ashley Capital, Tom Lanahan of Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Ricardo Vazquez of the Martin County Metropolitan Planning Organization, Andrew McBean of the Martin County Airport, Ken Krasnow of Cushman & Wakefield, and Bob Thornton of O’Donnell Impact Windows & Storm Protection.
Presented by the Business Development Board of Martin County and hosted by the Martin County REALTORS Association.
- Explore the hidden potential in our commercial/industrial inventory
- Understand zoning, land-use, and redevelopment strategies
- Find out what’s up at the airport
- Get a peek at upcoming transportation/economic development plans
- Gain tips on marketing to national site selectors
- Assume your role as a “Force Multiplier” for Martin County’s future
CLICK HERE to register today or scan the QR code.
To sponsor, please contact Troy McDonald, Director of Business Retention & Development, at 772-306-4212.
Speakers
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William T. CorbinExecutive Director, Business Development Board of Martin CountyA certified economic developer, Corbin has helped stimulate hundreds of millions of dollars of diversified commercial development in various municipalities—most recently in Georgia, including the cities of Duluth and Norcross, as well as Clayton County.
“I’m honored to be chosen for this leadership role, and I’m excited to live and work in Martin County and learn more about its legacy industries such as aerospace, marine, and advanced manufacturing,” says Corbin. “I’ve always loved boating and flying, so this BDB opportunity is appealing. I hope to apply my insights into building economic ecosystems, helping strengthen existing industries, and assisting companies in their expansion plans.”Corbin distinguished himself among a field of more than 90 applicants, which the BDB selection committee pored over for three months. “We’re extremely excited to welcome William to this role of executive director for the Business Development Board,” says Susan Rabinowitz, president of the BDB. “Our selection committee deserves tremendous credit for carefully vetting an array of compelling candidates to find William—who’s extremely qualified to step into the role right away and make meaningful contributions.”
While he got his start as an economic development practitioner in Miami-Dade County at The Beacon Council, Corbin’s experience spans communities of a variety of sizes and dynamics. Clayton County is home to 300,000 people while Norcross and Duluth have populations of 18,000 and 32,000, respectively, showing Corbin’s skills shaping projects to fit the characters and personalities of each unique setting.In Duluth, he helped guide the planning and development of Parsons Alley, a 2-acre downtown redevelopment site featuring commercial and retail investments that won awards for its design, functionality and impact. In Norcross, Corbin’s leadership helped attract more than $500 million in total investment. He also helped increase the city’s communication and engagement with its small business and entrepreneur community through initiatives such as grant programs and partnerships with local organizations that provide access to capital and technical assistance services.
Further, Corbin led a workforce development project, among other achievements, that bridged connections between businesses and job seekers during the pandemic, strengthening the labor market. “The resume of achievements that William has built up is impressive by any standard but even more so considering that he’s relatively early in his career,” says Dan Hudson, interim executive director who came aboard to helm the organization through a leadership transition. “His experience working with communities of all sizes and the approach he brings to each environment speaks to how attentive he is to public involvement and finding solutions that are rightsized for each location.”
Martin County’s distinctive quality of life appealed to Corbin, 40, and his family. While considering other opportunities across South Florida, he and his wife, Jonide, researched and even visited the area on vacation with their two girls, ages 5 and 7, and two-year-old son. They appreciated that Martin County offered a peaceful respite from a big city pace yet easy access to major metropolitan areas to the north and south. “There’s a definite quality of life on display here and it comes with a community and leadership that has embraced managed growth in a fashion that’s responsible, responsive to the residents and protective of such a beautiful place,” he says. “I like the laidback nature of the community and the fact that there are a lot of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. I like how things are a little bit slower. It’s a great place to raise a family and grow roots.”
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Troy McDonaldDirector of Business Retention & Development, Business Development Board of Martin County
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Jill MarasaDirector of Development, Ashley Capital
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Tom LanahanExecutive Director, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
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Ricardo VazquezSenior Planner, Martin County MPO
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Andrew McBeanAirport Director, Martin County Airport (Witham Field)
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Ken KrasnowVice Chair Public Institutions, Cushman & Wakefield
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Robert Thornton
