Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! And apparently there's a rocket launch tonight. Folks are going back to the moon. NASA's Artemis II mission launches at 6:24 PM from Kennedy Space Center. If you want to watch from the Treasure Coast, some spots include Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, Pepper Park Beachside, and the House of Refuge in Stuart. Also, we're officially in Q2. Excited to make a push for everything that we're doing. Alright…
In Today's Newsletter
📊 More census data on Port St. Lucie's growth slowdown
🏨 Marriott breaking ground in Vero Beach this summer
⚾ Mets' new player development complex in PSL
🏘️ Lincoln Park Master Plan workshop today
🐰 Easter weekend events
⛅ Weather Update: Sun and clouds mixed.
☀️ Day: High of 80°F | Sun and clouds mixed. 15% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 67°F | A few clouds. Winds E at 10-15 mph. 24% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 7:11 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 7:39 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 7:30 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 6:45 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "I'll Be Around" — The Spinners
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
🧡 Main Squeeze: More Census Data!
Earlier this week we reported St. Lucie County added nearly 11,000 residents last year while major Florida metros shrank. Now there's more context.
The slowdown: Port St. Lucie dropped from the fifth fastest growing metro in the nation to 14th, according to new U.S. Census data.
The numbers: The Port St. Lucie metro grew 2.14% last year, the lowest since the post pandemic boom.
International migration fell by nearly half, from 3,646 to 1,818
Domestic migration dropped from a 2021 peak of 17,487 to 11,532
The catch: As we reported Monday, about 63% of St. Lucie County workers commute outside the county for jobs.
The bottom line: Port St. Lucie remains one of the fastest growing regions in Florida, just not at the breakneck pace of recent years.
🏠 Press Round: Growth, Guestrooms & Getting Along
🏨 Marriott Hotel Breaking Ground at Vero Beach Airport This Summer
A TownePlace Suites by Marriott is set to break ground by summer on 4.7 acres of city-owned airport property near the Jackie Robinson Training Complex. The hotel will serve airport visitors and surrounding businesses as Vero Beach Regional Airport has added daily flights from Breeze Airways, JetBlue and American Airlines.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
⚾ Mets Break Ground on New Player Development Complex
The New York Mets broke ground on a 55,000 square foot player development complex in Port St. Lucie that the team is fully funding, with completion set for Spring Training 2027. The facility includes a 7,000 square foot weight room, 5,000 square foot locker room with 180 lockers and hydrotherapy areas, with the project tied to a lease extension that includes options keeping the team in Port St. Lucie until 2052.
👉 Read more (MLB)
🚒 Martin County and Stuart Fire Departments Renegotiating Response Agreement
Martin County Fire Rescue and Stuart Fire Department are beginning negotiations to update their interlocal agreement after Fire Chief Chad Cianciulli said the county responds to 21 percent of calls in Stuart versus less than 1 percent with neighboring counties. Stuart has grown from one to three fire stations since the current agreement started, with the city paying the county $137,275 in 2022 but just $26,937 in 2025, and Stuart Mayor Christopher Collins said he wants the talks open to the public.
👉 Read more (Martin County Press)
🎉 Weekender: Apr 3 - Apr 5
Friday, April 3
💎 FLAVA, Inc. 2nd Annual Sip & Step – Denim & Diamond Dance Party by The Diamond Diva and The Hitmakers at River Walk Center, Fort Pierce. | 6:30–11 PM | $20 | Details
🛍️ Friday Fest with The Riverdawgs – Craft vendors, food trucks, live music, and kids' activities at Marina Square, Fort Pierce. | Starts 6:30 PM | Free | Details
🎵 Live Jazz: Cary DeNigris & Brenna Bavis – Blues, soul, and jazz duo performing live at BlueBird Bistro, Fort Pierce. | 7–9 PM | Free
Saturday, April 4
🐰 Easter on the Farm at Eastside Acres Ranch – Petting zoo, Highland cows, Easter Bunny, food trucks, and vendor market at 6740 Ideal Holding Rd, Port St. Lucie. | 10:30 AM–1:30 PM | $18 + tax | Reservation required | Tickets
🐣 Easter Eggstravaganza – Egg hunt, bounce houses, and family activities at Central Baptist Church, 202 SW Tulip Blvd, Port St. Lucie. | 10 AM–12 PM | Free
🌮 Treasure Coast Tacos & Treats Festival – Taco and dessert tasting festival with live music, craft fair, axe throwing, and kids zone at Clover Park, Port St. Lucie. | 12–9 PM | $10 (Kids 10 & under free) | Tickets
👻 Fort Pierce Ghost Tour – Walking ghost tour of historic Fort Pierce sites, meeting at St. Lucie County Courthouse, 218 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce. | Check-in 6:45 PM | $30 | Details
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Give Your Input!
🏘️ Lincoln Park Master Plan workshop today– Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency seeks community input 5:30-7:30pm at Percy Peek Gym (2902 Ave D). Master plan
💼 Free "Before You Sign the Lease" workshop April 13 – St. Lucie Chamber and County Planning host business startup essentials 11:30am-1pm. Registration required. Business workshop
🌍 St. Lucie Earth Day Festival April 18 – Live music, food, hands-on activities, conservation groups, local artists, heritage and agriculture features. Earth Day
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