COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS BOOMING IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY
AS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRUNCH LOOMS
The world has finally discovered St. Lucie
County’s wide-open spaces for large-scale
commerce parks.
Economic development experts and developers
say the relatively sudden popularity
of St. Lucie County with large out-of-county
and out-of-state end-users lies in its quick and
easy access to large South Florida markets via
Interstate 95. Other factors include a plentiful
supply of affordable, large-footprint sites
compared with larger counties to the south
where such land is either already built out or is
prohibitively expensive.
However, with the increased interest comes
the problem of affordable housing. Some Realtors
believe homebuilders are paying too little
attention to providing a supply of affordable
homes for the new workers expected here
within the next few years.
Instead, too many residential developers in
popular, high-growth areas like Tradition are
constructing high-end homes for retirees.
More than 60 percent of the workforce in
St. Lucie County — or about 70,000 people —
drive out of the county to find work every day
in adjoining counties. The coming flood of jobs
to St. Lucie may reverse that drivetime trend,
but put pressure on the homebuilding industry
to accommodate new demands.
STORIES, PAGES 6, 12.
STUART LIKELY LOCATION OF
BRIGHTLINE STATION
PAGE 14
This issue of Treasure Coast Business is
produced through a unique partnership
between Indian River Media Group and
the Florida Small Business Development
Center at Indian River State College.
SUMMER 2021 | TCBUSINESS.COM
SBDC NETWORK URGES BUSINESS
OWNERS TO HAVE A HURRICANE PLAN
PAGE 20
INTRAPRENUERS ARE VITAL EMPLOYEES
FOR COMPANY SUCCESS
PAGE 26
EXPERIENCED MANUFACTURING
SPECIALIST JOINS SBDC
PAGE 18
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR SMALL
BUSINESSES FOCUSES ON RESILIENCY
PAGE 16
ANTHONY INSWASTY
Springs at Tradition is an apartment complex located at the northern end of the jobs corridor. Similar complexes
will be needed to accommodate the hundreds of new workers expected to arrive.
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