Good Morning, Sunland
It's Wednesday! And thank you for being here! Lots of news below, so let's jump right in!
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In today's newsletter:
💰 St. Lucie County overhauled how it gives tax breaks to businesses
🏘️ Sebastian approves massive 900-home Cresswind annexation
🍔 First Treasure Coast Shake Shack opening in Port St. Lucie
🏛️ Stuart Commission fails again to fill vacant seat
🛣️ Avenue D groundbreaking June 1 in Fort Pierce
🌧️ Weather Update: Light rain this morning, clearing by afternoon.
☀️ Day: High of 89°F | Cloudy with light rain this morning, 60% chance of rain.
🌙 Night: Low of 74°F | Some clouds. Winds SSE at 10-20 mph. 24% chance of rain.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:27 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 8:09 PM
🌙 Moonrise: 5:09 PM | 🌚 Moonset: 3:50 AM
🎶 Sounds like: "Red Red Wine" — UB40
Ja'Min Devon
Founder & Publisher, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: St. Lucie County overhauled how it gives tax breaks and incentives to businesses
St. Lucie County commissioners unanimously approved a sweeping update to the county's economic incentive programs, replacing a system that had not been substantially changed since the 1990s with a unified scoring framework that ties tax breaks, grants and impact fee waivers directly to the actual economic value a project brings to the county 💰.
Why it matters: Under the old system, almost any company that created at least 10 jobs paying 107% of the county average wage qualified for the same incentive package regardless of how many jobs they created or what they paid. The new system changes that entirely. At the same meeting, commissioners also voted to strip incentives from two companies that fell short of their job creation promises 👀.
What changed 📋:
📊 One unified scoring matrix now applies across all three incentive programs: the job growth investment grant, impact fee mitigation and ad valorem tax exemptions
💵 Minimum wage threshold to qualify raised from 107% to 115% of the county average, now $28.30 an hour
🏗️ Companies must begin construction or operations within 24 months of incentive approval or the incentives expire
🔒 Performance threshold set at 85% meaning companies must hit at least 85% of their job creation promises or lose their benefits
💪 The county now has direct clawback authority across all programs, with repayment obligations that survive contract termination
🏆 A new catalytic project designation for transformational investments of over $200 million or 500 or more jobs
During public comment one resident put it plainly: rather than giving tax incentives upfront without companies actually performing, the county needs to hold them accountable. Companies that fall short after everything is built create what he called a black eye on the county and ultimately put the burden back on homeowners when commercial properties are not paying their full share of taxes.
The two companies that lost their incentives: Accel International Holdings and A-1 Industries both opened facilities in 2024, met their job creation targets for two years and then fell short in the third year. Both can reapply under the new rules. Watch the full meeting here 📅.
What's coming next: County staff are working on a separate incentive program designed specifically for locally owned small businesses, which will come before commissioners soon.
💬 Do you think St. Lucie County should be offering tax incentives to attract businesses? Tell us right here
📦 Press Round: Growth, Grub & Government
🏘️ Sebastian Approves Massive 900-Home Cresswind Annexation
Sebastian City Council approved the Cresswind development on a 4 to 0 vote, annexing 382.48 acres of unincorporated Indian River County land for a 55-plus retirement community. The vote marks the city's second major annexation this month after the May 13 approval of the 612-home Sebastian Pines tract, with both projects expanding Sebastian's footprint by nearly 600 acres and paving the way for about 1,500 new residential units.
👉 Read more (CBS12)
🍔 First Treasure Coast Shake Shack Opening in Port St. Lucie
Shake Shack will open its first Treasure Coast location at 200 NW Peacock Boulevard in Port St. Lucie next to Texas Roadhouse, after plans submitted Feb 11 were approved March 30. The chain serves burgers, fries, frozen custard, hot dogs and shakes.
👉 Read more (AOL/Treasure Coast Newspapers)
🏛️ Stuart Commission Fails Again to Fill Vacant Seat
Stuart City Commission failed for the second consecutive meeting to appoint a fifth commissioner to fill the vacancy left by Mayor Christopher Collins' departure to run for County Commission. With four members, the commission deadlocks on 2 to 2 votes, though the Charter requires appointment within 120 days of a vacancy.
👉 Read more (TCPalm subscription may be required)
🎉 Weekender: Events for the Weekend!
Friday, May 29
Saturday, May 30
🥊 Rise of a Warrior Live MMA Cage Fighting – 2000 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce. | 3:45 PM – 10 PM | Ticketed | Details
😂 Comedy Club at Bleu Clarinet – Bleu Clarinet, 901 Avenue D, Fort Pierce. | 7:30 PM | Details
💃 Turn Up the Heat – Happy Anniversary Carnival – Sunrise Theatre, Fort Pierce. | 4 PM | Ticketed | Details
Sunday, May 31
If you have an event, send it to me here
💧 The Last Drop: Avenue D, Elections, Youth Council, Port Plan, and PSL Youth Council
🛣️ Avenue D groundbreaking June 1 – Fort Pierce hosting ceremony at 1217 Avenue D, 1pm. Roadway resurfacing, ADA ramps, sidewalk improvements, enhanced crosswalks, new vehicle detection systems from 29th Street to U.S. 1. Parking at 1234 Avenue D. Ceremony
🗳️ Fort Pierce election qualifying June 8-12 – Two City Commission seats open. District 1 Seat 5 and District 2 Seat 4. Apply at City Hall 3rd Floor. Primary August 18, general November 3. Contact Linda Cox 772-467-3065. Election
📕 Yates Funeral Home has a free planning guide that walks your family through everything — download it here. (Sponsored)
👥 PSL Youth Council recruiting grades 9-12 – Council grew from 9 students in 2023 to almost 40. Gain government insight, earn service hours, build leadership. Apply by June 5. Youth Council
⛵ Port of Fort Pierce Master Plan meeting June 1 – Public reviewing draft plan, 5:30pm at Fort Pierce Yacht Club, 700 Indian River Dr. Port Plan
🌊 St. Lucie County Port updating Master Plan – Public invited to comment on draft. Meeting June 1, 5:30pm at Yacht Club. Learn more online. Port meeting
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