ECONOMY
PORT LEADS WAY INTO
NEW ERA OF PROSPERITY
A rendering from Derecktor Shipyards shows what the new mega yacht maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at the Port of Fort Pierce is likely to look like.
Fortune to bless county’s boating and aviation facilities
TCBusiness.com 31
After years of dormancy, the Port of
Fort Pierce leaped into its new life as a
mega yacht maintenance, repair, overhaul
facility and jobs creator on April 16. A
standing ovation followed a lease agreement
approval by the St. Lucie County
Commission.
Jubilant county officials and top executives
from Derecktor Shipyards rose from
their seats, grinned and clapped in a burst
of excitement and emotion just after commissioners
approved a 30-year, $37-million
lease of their 12.5 acres at the port
with Derecktor Shipyards of Dania Beach
— soon to be Derecktor Shipyards of Fort
Pierce. The lease can be renewed three
times for 15 years each.
“This is a moment that this community
can savor,” said veteran County Commissioner
Frannie Hutchinson. “This is a
moment that this county can see a dream
come true.”
Now that decades of wishing, hoping
and planning are in the rearview mirror,
the port is ready to become the economic
engine true believers always thought it
could be and increase job opportunities,
commissioners agreed.
With Derecktor Shipyards as the vehicle,
the sailing and motor yachts of the ultra- >>
BY SUSAN BURGESS
/TCBusiness.com