Horizons event shares rosy outlook for Martin County’s industrial, manufacturing sectors
Amid all the demand on the Treasure Coast for commercial property, Martin County remains the most coveted, leading the way in lowest vacancy rates. While several traditional metrics contribute to that appeal, something as unexpected as the local business dynamic—and how well even competing companies work with each other—might be more of a factor than many realize.
Those are at least two of the takeaways from “Horizons 2026: Made in Martin – Real Estate, Manufacturing, Capital & Growth,” the Business Development Board of Martin County’s annual event exploring regional trends in commercial real estate and business activity.
More than 120 people packed the Martin County REALTORS of the Treasure Coast’s Stuart headquarters. Sponsored by Colliers Weprin team (Michael Falk and Scott Weprin), the program featured a variety of local experts.
Ken Grasnow of Cushman & Wakefield provided an overview of commercial real estate market conditions, noting a reduction in people moving to Florida but an increase in opportunity due to the steady influx of venture capital into the broader South Florida market. The reshoring of the manufacturing industry is undeniable, he noted.
“This is the first time ever that manufacturing has outpaced logistics and distribution for commercial space,” he said. “In the capital markets, investment activity up 15 percent, so we’re seeing that price appreciation translates into measured optimism.”
Matt Rocco, president of the South Florida Manufacturers Association, delved into the high levels of activity in the local manufacturing.
William Corbin, BDBMC executive director, moderated a panel that informed attendees on how to maximize local funding options to launch their dream enterprise. Dieulanie Claude, outreach and marketing specialist, U.S. Small Business Administration, South Florida District Office; Robert Barfield, regional market president, Seacoast; and Shaun Williams, president and CEO of First National Bank Coastal Community spoke in depth about how to identify, secure and combine available grants and loans that could position a qualified applicant to assemble sizeable funding sources.
“That capital stack is making projects happen in Martin County,” said Barfield.
Tara Lordi, founder and CEO of Weedoo Boats, shared interesting insights into the benefits of running a manufacturing operation in Martin County after teaming with the BDBMC to open a facility for her company in Stuart earlier this year.
Weedoo Boats creates innovative working vessels uniquely engineered to remove invasive species from waterways mechanically instead of through harmful pesticides. She’s working with 41 states and more than 20 countries and currently involved in efforts to remove invasives in Lake Okeechobee.
Recently expanding into working with composites, she found her colleagues in the Martin County marine industry extremely supportive of her efforts.
“Not only are they going to tell you about (the specialty), they’re willing to teach you because they want you to win, too,” she said.
Considering the influx of regional opportunities and availability of local resources, Lordi—in sharing personal insights learned from making Weedoo Boats successful—offered advice that may have given any aspiring entrepreneur in attendance the final nudge to launch.
“You dance with the business,” she said. “You learn to let go. You learn you can’t do everything yourself. You learn that you decide anyway. Waiting until you have every answer means the moment passed.”