INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The economic development partners from Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties recently met with national site location firms in Dallas to introduce and reinforce Florida’s Research Coast region as a viable business location.
The group had meetings with six firms, providing each consultant an overview of the region’s business amenities, access to workforce and training programs, and availability of local incentives in each of the four counties. Collateral material was shared depicting our region’s location, proximity to markets and targeted industries. Florida’s Research Coast encompasses Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties.
Several consultants were familiar with the region and expressed a willingness to include the area for future projects, depending on client needs. Site location consultants represent C-level executives who are considering a relocation or expansion of their business in the U.S. or internationally.
“Site consultants are the gate keepers, representing those firms we would like to locate to our area,” said Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Director with the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, “getting and staying on their radar is crucial to our job creation efforts.” She noted that many of the Dallas consultants tend to focus on distribution center clients and call center operations.
Florida’s Research Coast Economic Development Coalition comprises professionals from the primary economic development organizations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties plus the President/CEO of CareerSource Research Coast. The organization’s goal is to collaborate, rather than compete, in promoting the region for business development and job creation. The Indian River County Chamber of Commerce is a founding partner of the organization which began in 1998.
