ECONOMY
rich from around the world are the engines expected to drive
an explosion of new jobs and an economic output worth an
estimated $105 million in the four years after operations start.
“This is going to change the face of this county,” said County
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky. “This is going to change the face
of these neighborhoods that have long struggled. We want to go
from this opportunity to prosperity.”
For years the port had been inert, said Port and Airport Director
Stan Payne in a review leading up to the vote. But the county’s
$25 million purchase in January 2018 of 12.5 acres of land at the
port opened the way for a tidal wave of change.
The maintenance, repair and overhaul of the sleek yachts
owned by millionaires and billionaires are expected to generate
as many as 900 direct and indirect jobs as hiring at the shipyard,
businesses serving the shipyard and retail businesses in the area
ramps up.
MARINE AND AVIATION
Prosperity “will happen as a result of the jobs that are going to
come from here,” Dzadovsky said. “The knowledge they will learn,
the families they will create and the economic cycle that will
continue in this region.”
Growth at the port, along with expansion at the Treasure
Coast International Airport and Business Park, will create the
need for workers in marine- and aviation-related skilled trades.
Indian River State College plans to offer degree and certification
programs in skilled trades for those who want to be certified in a
variety of trades such as welding. To do this, the college received
a $1.53 million grant to teach mechanical and technical skills.
Starting salaries for these skilled workers are expected to be
32
ANTHONY INSWASTY
The Aviator College at Treasure Coast International Airport and Business Park
currently has 500 students and is expanding to teach 800. It is adding a framework
$11,000 higher than the current average career salary, bringing
an estimated $2.8 million direct increase and $14.8 million indirect
increase to the economy from workers spending their money
in the community.
Since the middle of April, Derecktor has been working on
permitting and inspections, said John Koenig, the company’s
communications director. But they aren’t wasting any time pushing
forward.
The world’s largest mobile lift to raise ships weighing up to
1,500 tons out of the water is in the planning stages, as is a
floating drydock with a capacity of 3,500 to 5,000 tons to ac-
TCBusiness.com
IRSC students learning specialized
welding skills go on a field
trip to Phoenix Metal Products
to see an expert in action.
>>
and powerplant technology program.
IRSC
/TCBusiness.com