🌅 💼 1,005 Jobs Officially Coming

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☀️ Day: High of 92°F | Humid with sun and areas of high clouds 56% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 76°F | An evening thunderstorm, otherwise clearing and humid.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:55 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:54 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 3:29 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 1:40 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Sirens" — Ludwig Göransson

St. Lucie County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the full incentive package for Project Orchid, the South American architectural glass and window manufacturer proposing a 1.4 million square foot manufacturing facility near I-95 and Orange Avenue on North Rock Road 🏭.

We covered this project when it first came before the county earlier this year. Here is what changed Wednesday and what was locked in.

📌 The links throughout this story are timestamped. Click any of them to be taken directly to that moment in Wednesday's meeting.

What changed:

The job schedule 📋:

What was approved:

The broader picture: The project represents $310 million in total capital investment, $53.8 million in estimated annual payroll once operational and an estimated $558.8 million in recurring economic output including indirect and induced impacts. Construction alone is expected to generate $207 million and support 852 jobs.

Commissioner Leet addressed public questions about the incentive structure directly: "It's not a free ride. It's an incentive for job growth."

The board held three separate votes to formally approve all three agreements. All passed unanimously.

What's next: The company's name has still not been publicly disclosed. Construction timelines and permit issuance will determine when the actual impact fee amounts are finalized 📅.

💬 What do you think about Project Orchid coming to St. Lucie County? Tell us right here

🎓 Indian River County Superintendent Moore Steps Down in 2027

School District of Indian River County Superintendent Dr. David K. Moore announced Wednesday he will conclude his tenure effective June 30, 2027, after nearly seven years. Moore transformed the district from 38th to 5th among Florida's 67 school districts, earning four consecutive A grades and growing schools earning an A or B from 47% to 100%. The district achieved a 96% high school graduation rate and was named No. 1 Best Place to Teach in Florida by Niche for 2026. Moore was named 2025 Florida Superintendent of the Year.

👉 Read more (WPTV)

🗳️ Treasure Coast Primary Turnout Down From 2022

Indian River County and Martin County saw voter turnout drop from the last non-presidential primary in 2022, while St. Lucie County saw a slight increase. Indian River's turnout was 29%, Martin's 28.9% and St. Lucie's 24%. Election supervisors expect about 60-65% turnout for the November general election when voters will choose the next governor and decide on major ballot initiatives.

👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)

📋 Stuart Commissioner Races Show Significant Undervotes

The City of Stuart clarified vote totals in its three Commissioner races, revealing undervotes explain the narrow differences between candidates. Group 1 had 296 undervotes, Group 3 had 257 and Group 5 had 256, meaning voters chose not to vote in those specific races. Martin County's Canvassing Board meets today at 5pm at the Supervisor of Elections office on MLK Jr Boulevard to review provisional ballots.

👉 Read more (Martin County Press)

Fort Pierce is heading toward September 11th with no city attorney and a special meeting on Monday to figure out what comes next 🏛️.

Here is the short version. The commission voted Monday to bring in Dan McIntire, a former St. Lucie County attorney who has served as Fort Pierce's interim city attorney four times before. Days later he declined. The city confirmed it in the agenda for Monday's special meeting: "The city will be without a city attorney as of September 11, 2026."

Sunland News filed a public records request for more clarity. A source with knowledge of the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the city manager's office had made McIntire aware that a number of staff members in the city attorney's office would also be departing. In their words, he was walking into a difficult situation.

What Monday's 9 a.m. special meeting covers 📋:

September 11th is less than three weeks away. We are following this closely 📅.

Read the full story here

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