AROUND THE
REGION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS
MARTIN COUNTY
Stuart • Jensen Beach • Hobe Sound
GRUNT WORK
BDBMC @ Hog Technologies
people. Its massive, brightly colored equipment outfitting trucks
and bearing names such as Stripe Hog, Thermo Hog, Paint Hog
and Rumble Hog are in operation in more than 50 countries.
In his exchange with BDBMC directors, Crocker — who shared
that 55 percent of his workforce lives in Martin County, 35 percent
in St. Lucie County and the rest in Palm Beach County — was
responsive to board members’ focus on future workforce readiness.
He pledged to launch a program in the new year aimed at
discovering and developing talent in local high school graduates.
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BDBMC meeting at Hog Technologies shines light on
manufacturing juggernaut
A Martin County manufacturing operation with the distinction
of serving one of the most unique segments of the global
marketplace projects adding 100 jobs over the coming years and
is taking steps to tap local talent.
Headquartered in Stuart, Hog Technologies is a global leader in
the design and manufacturing of original vehicles and equipment
that remove rubber buildup from airport runways, the plastic
striping that comprises the dividing lines on highways, and the
rumble strips that serve as warning devices on roadsides.
Members of the BDBMC Board of Directors got a close look at
Hog Technologies and its systems and innovations at its recently
expanded 13-acre, 105,000-square-foot manufacturing operation
at 3920 S.E. Commerce Ave., in Stuart.
In conducting an open-to-the-public board meeting onsite,
BDBMC directors also met with James Crocker, founder, president
and CEO of Hog Technologies. Crocker — a dynamic speaker
who also authors leadership books for children — grew up in a
home with four brothers and no TV. A natural tinkerer who often
deconstructed and repaired broken appliances around the house,
Crocker started out in 1988 with a pressure-washer he bought on
terms from a friend for $1,200. He later affixed a pressure-washer
to a John Deer riding mower to increase his productivity.
Today, Hog Technologies is a multimillion-dollar, global company
with 160 employees and with plans to hire another 100
Frank discussions on Martin’s
economic future
Commentary on the challenges and
opportunities inherent in Martin County’s
economy flowed freely at the inaugural
quarterly Partners Council meeting attended
by 50 local leaders in the private, public and
nonprofit sectors. Samples included:
• “The curriculum is there but the pipeline is
the problem.”
• “When it comes to youth development, we
have to fundamentally change the conversation
around the kitchen table.”
• “Martin County produces doctors and
lawyers, but we should also be thinking of
creating innovators and disruptors.”
Leading the direct and candid conversation,
Joan K. Goodrich, executive director
of the BDBMC, concentrated on creating a
stronger, more vibrant economy; identifying
the progress made — and work remaining
— in enhancing the community’s reputation
for business friendliness and readiness; and
highlighting the county’s natural placemaking
attributes in expanding existing industries
while attracting new ones. Some quick
takeaways:
Strengths: Insights on incoming or under
construction public works projects —
such as the mobility study being conducted
by the Metropolitan Planning Organization
and Bridge Road improvements in the
Hobe Sound Community Redevelopment
Area — provided evidence of the county
and municipal governments’ commitments
to strategic capital investments to benefit
both residents and local businesses and
industries.
Challenges: In addition to initiatives
aimed at preparing Martin County young
people for apprenticeships, trades, vocations
and entrepreneurial endeavors, attendees
exchanged ideas on continuing education
opportunities for more established employers
as a solution for underemployment.
Opportunities: Mention of the construction
industry’s latest challenge in filling
as much as 80 percent of its contractors’
positions demonstrated just how fertile the
economic soil currently is. Strategies for attracting
seasoned, skilled employees to local
marine, aviation and IT jobs highlighted the
opportunities for expansion available to
existing employers.
With a great opener
now in the books, the
Business Development
Board of Martin
County looks forward to
organizing this input and helping advance
the discussion at the next Partner Council
meeting in March 2020.
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