Good Morning,

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Also, is anyone planning on going to Friday Fest this week? I'll be out there giving out stickers!

— Ja'Min

Today’s Read Time: 4.42 Minutes

☁️Weather Forecast

Weather TL;DR: Warm with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms… Typical.

🌤️ Day: High 89°F
🌙 Night: Low 76°F
🌅 Sunrise: 6:43 AM
🌇 Sunset: 8:10 PM

🌧️ Rain: 40% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon

NEWS

You get a warehouse, You get a warehouse! The Warehousitization of Saint Lucie County Continues

Last week, we introduced the concept of "Warehousitization" in Saint Lucie County, and we're diving deeper into that topic today. Our county seems to be rapidly transforming into the industrial hub of Florida. Just last week, representatives from the Economic Development Council (EDC) of St. Lucie County and local planning experts proposed a bold plan for developing Kings Highway into a bustling jobs corridor, similar to the Southern Grove Jobs Corridor in Port St. Lucie.

EDC President Pete Tesch shared some impressive numbers: recent expansions and new business attractions have brought in $75.5 million in capital investment and 630 projected new jobs. This surge in industrial development seems to be a continuation of what we're calling the "Warehousitization" trend. With big names like Amazon, FedEx, and Costco setting up shop, our strategic location between Central and South Florida is proving to be a magnet for warehouse and logistics operations.

But it's not just about the big players. The proposal for the Kings Highway Jobs Corridor includes plans for a world-class commerce center and industrial corridor, which promises to create sustainable, well-paying jobs and improve overall utility services and revenues. It's a big vision, aiming to turn Fort Pierce into a hotspot for economic growth and job creation.

However, while these developments bring in tax dollars and employment opportunities, we can't ignore the potential downsides. The wages in these warehouses often don't match the rising cost of living in our area. Plus, there's a concern about the visual impact—large-scale warehouses aren't exactly adding to the scenic appeal of our county. (B&W industrial pictures look great, but murals are better.)

As we continue to explore this topic, we can't help but wonder: Is there a way to balance this industrial boom with efforts to boost wages and stimulate our local economy in a more diverse way?

Reply to this email with any thoughts or ideas…

🔔Sunland Bulletin

🎒 Free Haircuts & School Supply Drive: On August 1st, visit Jetson TV & Appliance in Fort Pierce. Enjoy free haircuts for kids and donate school supplies from 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM.

💈 Slate’s Barber Shop 12th Annual Back-to-School Supply Giveaway: Honoring the legendary Darin Slater, this event will feature a back-to-school giveaway at the Sunland Garden’s Clubhouse on August 10th at 11 AM. [Flyer]

Just when you thought you were on time, BOOM: Be sure the check the traffic situation before heading out

NEWS

Lawsuits are in the Air Tonight!

In a surprising turn of events, local Saint Lucie County businessman Anthony DiFrancesco has filed a defamation lawsuit against interim Port St. Lucie Police Chief and Republican candidate for St. Lucie County Sheriff, Richard Del Toro. The lawsuit claims that Del Toro and his campaign, along with TCPalm columnist Blake Fontenay and Gannett Co., Inc., falsely labeled DiFrancesco as a "felon" in various articles and campaign ads.

DiFrancesco, who was pardoned by Governor Ron DeSantis in January 2023, wants the removal of these misleading materials, a public apology, and a stop to any further defamatory statements. According to the lawsuit, these false descriptions are harmful, especially since DiFrancesco's pardon cleared his past felony convictions.

Del Toro, called the lawsuit "frivolous" and is ready to fight it. Del Toro even suggested that this case could reveal more about DiFrancesco's past, hinting that there might be more to the story.

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions in the sheriff's race and the heated nature of local politics in St. Lucie County. With the election coming up, it seems like this is just the beginning of a very long election season.

🪮Sunland Picks

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📰Other News

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🏠 Florida's homeowner's policies in the state have jumped by 42.5% on average since 2019. [More Info]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🥇 U.S. men win their first Olympic gymnastics team medal in 16 years: Forever is a mighty long ti… 16 years. The men’s gymnastics team got the job done after a long hiatus on the medal stand. [More Info]

📸This Is Saint Lucie

🗓️Things To Do

🎶 Music Bingo at Hop Life Brewing Company: Win some free gift cards tonight by competing in Music Bingo at Hop Life Brewing Company! Tonight, July 30th, starting at 7 PM and running until 10 PM,

💼 Hiring Event - Fort Pierce, FL: Join us at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 7151 Okeechobee Road, Fort Pierce, FL, on July 30th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with potential employers and explore new career opportunities.

🎉 Fort Pierce Friday Fest: It’s (basically) already August. This means Friday Fest is back. August 2nd @ 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Downtown Fort Pierce. You know the drill.

🃏 The Port Saint Lucie Sports Cards & Collectibles Show: Head to the Polish American Club Convention Center, 343 NW Prima Vista Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34983, on Saturday, Aug 3rd, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event, hosted by the Port Saint Lucie Trading Card Show, is perfect for collectors and enthusiasts. Explore a wide variety of sports cards and collectibles.

🍽️ Sunday Dinner for People Homeless or Food Insecure: This event, hosted by Reach Outreach, takes place at 515 N US-1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950. Sunday, Aug 4th, from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. The event provides meals and support for neighbors who are homeless or food insecure in downtown Fort Pierce.

🕹️ Sunland Games

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