Good Morning, Sunland
It's Monday! I'm really excited to share a story with you that I honestly missed a couple of weeks ago. Fort Pierce just unanimously approved GraceWay Village's family shelter community on Hartman Road. Read the full story. Thirty-six temporary housing units designed to help families get back on their feet with a focus on self-sufficiency. I’m happy to see this come to light! Definitely needed! Alright..
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
In today's newsletter:
🏭 Project Orchid manufacturing facility moves forward Tuesday with 1,005 jobs
☕ 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee coming to Vero Beach
⚛️ St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Unit 1 manually shut down
🌉 Stuart secures $80 million federal funding for railroad bridge replacement
☀️ Weather Update: Mostly sunny, hot and humid with a Heat Advisory and storm possible this afternoon.
☀️ Day: High of 96°F | Mostly sunny, hot and humid, a thunderstorm 55% chance of rain
🌙 Night: Low of 75°F | Clear and humid. Winds SW at 5 mph. 11% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:53 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:58 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 11:42 AM | 🌚 Moonset: 10:54 PM
🎶 Sounds like: "Big Mike's" — Dijon
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: Project Orchid is back on the agenda Tuesday
We covered Project Orchid earlier this year when St. Lucie County commissioners unanimously approved the project. Tuesday night the Board of County Commissioners meets at 6 p.m. to finalize the incentive agreements that make it official 🏭.
What Project Orchid is:
🌎 An international architectural glass, windows and aluminum manufacturer headquartered in Miami with operations in South America
🏗️ Proposing a 1.3 million square foot manufacturing facility in St. Lucie County
💰 $170 million capital investment in real property and $140 million in tangible personal property by December 31, 2028
The jobs:
👷 1,005 full time jobs over eight years
💵 Average hourly rate of $28.48, which is 116% of St. Lucie County's average annual wage
📅 Starting with 80 jobs in year one and ramping up to 1,005 by year eight
What the county is offering:
📋 Job Growth Investment Grant
🏠 10 year ad valorem tax exemption, 100% for the first five years then declining to 70% by year ten
🛣️ Road impact fee mitigation
What's on Tuesday's agenda: Commissioners will vote on the amended resolution, the Job Growth Investment Grant agreement and the Impact Fee Mitigation Agreement. Meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 2300 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce 📅.
💬 What do you think about Project Orchid coming to St. Lucie County? Tell us right here
📰 Press Round: Coffee Shops, Power Plants & Bridge Funding
☕ 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee Coming to Vero Beach
7 Brew Drive Thru Coffee plans to open its first Indian River County location at 5995 20th Street in Vero Beach, becoming the third Treasure Coast location. The Arkansas-based chain specializes in handcrafted beverages including coffee, teas, energy drinks, fizz sodas, smoothies and shakes. Founded in 2017, 7 Brew now operates over 700 stores across 38 states and has 52 locations throughout Florida.
👉 Read more (TCPalm)
⚛️ St. Lucie Nuclear Plant Unit 1 Manually Shut Down
St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant's Unit 1 was manually shut down Thursday in a non-emergency procedure when three control rods dropped into the reactor core. The plant was operating at 100% power when Florida Power & Light operators conducted the manual trip. All systems responded normally and operations stabilized in Mode 3. Unit 2 was not affected and the NRC resident inspector was notified of the incident.
👉 Read more (WPBF)
🌉 Stuart Secures Final Funding for Railroad Bridge Replacement
Stuart and the Florida Inland Navigation District likely secured $80 million in final federal funding to replace the nearly 100-year-old railroad drawbridge over the St. Lucie River. The $262 million project brings total federal funding to $210.5 million. The new bridge will be higher and wider than the current span, removing a bottleneck for freight and Brightline passenger trains while allowing bigger boats access to western county waterfront property.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
Sponsored · SE Benchmark Insurance
🟣 Ms. Daisy Saved My Friend $400
More protection, lower price. Free quote. No obligation. Just you finally knowing if you're overpaying.
Call For A Quote🎉 Weekdayer: August 17–21
Tuesday, August 18
☕ Coffee with the Council, Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. 9AM to 10AM, free and open to the public. Details
Wednesday, August 19
📺 Covering the Bases, SLCTV, 2300 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce. 12PM to 1PM, free, local high school athletics update. Details
Thursday, August 20
🤝 Treasure Coast Business Connections: B2B Networking, Filthy's Fine Cocktails & Beer, Vero Beach. 5:30PM to 7PM, $5 cover. Details
🎶 Jammin' Jensen in Downtown Jensen Beach, 1912 NE Jensen Beach Blvd. 6PM to 10PM, free, weekly street fest. Details
🎤 Casual Relaxed Open Mic, Priscilla's Oasis on Orange, Fort Pierce. 6:30PM, all ages, all genres welcome. Details
🍹 5th Annual Sangarita Challenge 2026, United Against Poverty of Indian River County, Vero Beach. 6PM to 9:30PM, $50. Details
🤼 MWA Midget Wrestling Tour, 6634 S US Highway 1, Port St. Lucie. 7PM. Details
🐝 Adult Spelling Bee, Dave & Busters, Port St. Lucie. 5:30PM to 8:30PM. Details
Friday, August 21
🎲 UNO Game Night Social: R&B and Hip Hop, Jeanette's Event Center, Port St. Lucie. 7PM to 11PM, ages 21+, BYOB. Details
Send Me More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Meetings & Selection
⚖️ Fort Pierce interim city attorney selection discussion – City Commission discusses and selects interim city attorney August 17. Agenda
📚 Port St. Lucie Library naming request considered – St. Lucie County BOCC votes August 19 on naming the new Port St. Lucie Library at 180 SW Prima Vista Blvd. "Ravenswood Library" naming under evaluation per county facilities policy. Details
🚫 Port St. Lucie Council Workshop canceled – PSL City Council workshop scheduled for August 17 has been canceled. Calendar
📖 Thanks For Reading:
How was today’s newsletter?
📱 Keep up with the Sunland News: Send comments & suggestions to [email protected] Follow us on, Instagram and Youtube
If you enjoyed this, consider forwarding to a friend!
