Message from the Executive Director
In last year’s Annual Report, I admitted to feeling a little like an athlete who entered the game long after his teammates had built up a big lead.
Back then, many of the projects that the Business Development Board of Martin County accomplished prior to my arrival were really starting to blossom. I was fortunate to inherit such a healthy s
uite of achievements. This year, I feel more like a player-coach, working alongside true professionals in a great program – a program with a positive culture whose emphasis on the fundamentals is creating a championship contender.
(Yes – as you probably could guess, I do watch a fair amount of sports in my downtime.)
The BDBMC’s focus on fundamentals means:
- Prioritizing existing businesses
- Supporting commercial development and sustained job creation
- Helping attract companies to the county
- Promoting Martin County as an ideal place to do business
We provide key services such as site selection, process navigation, advocacy, and brokering introductions. We’ve played important roles this last fiscal year, like assisting Hinckley Yacht Services and Daher Aerospace with their expansions as well as the additions of Power Systems Manufacturing, Catch Boatworks and Choice Waste of Florida to Martin County.
Each company’s capital investment and job creation contributes to our taxbase, strengthens the local economy and diversifies our revenue stream, helping to reduce our reliance on residential taxes.
We’ve also delivered on our promise to help local businesses and entrepreneurs more easily access affordable capital, through the Martin Loan Fund.
As I reflect on the past fiscal year, I am proud of the professional team that’s been built – the BDBMC’s organizational achievements reflect both our individual as well as our combined, shared efforts – what a great team we have!
And so the biggest of shoutouts goes to Troy McDonald (director of economic development), Christina Hunter (economic development coordinator), and Lauren Bevins (office administrator).
Most importantly, the leadership that our board of directors provides has been exceptionally impactful. I’d like to extend a big thank you to the executive committee, the leadership of Susan Rabinowitz throughout her presidency, and Dan Romence, for his leadership as current president; Lauren Abbott, president-elect; Steven Hartz, treasurer; and Dr. Angela Browning, secretary.
We’re also incredibly grateful for the leadership of Martin County and the Village of Indiantown, and we appreciate being at the table and working with them on new projects that benefit our community. We deeply appreciate the support of our corporate investors council and the collaboration of our many partners throughout the business community.
In the game of economic development, we all, at varying times, take on varying roles. Whether player, coach, mentor, booster or cheerleader, when we come together to pool our talents and resources on behalf of Martin County’s economy, the results—as this report attests—are undeniable. And the victory is everyone’s to enjoy.
