Friday, July 23, 2021 United Economic Leadership Brought to you by | Business Development Board of Martin County

"Having waterfront access of this magnitude changes the game for us and will vastly enhance our ability to provide the highest quality service and support to all of our customers.”—Mark Willis on Willis Custom Yachts acquisition of American Custom Yachts Assets.

Willis Custom Yachts acquires American Custom Yachts assets

STUART--Willis Custom Yachts (WCY) announced the acquisition of American Custom Yachts Assets property that spans nearly 64 acres. Willis plans to expand and enhance the facilities in the coming months with: additional 90,000 square feet of boat building and manufacturing facility additional covered repair and dockage facilities new 150 Ton travel lift plus enlarged haul-out well with future 220 Ton lift new waterfront facility east of NW Flagler Avenue for new yacht customer deliveries

The expansion is projected to shorten construction times while extending the construction capacity and availability of quality custom sport fishing vessels. Included in the acquisition of assets was also Bausch American Towers. Tim Bausch will continue to lead the rebranded entity Bausch Towers, benefitting from the new additional facilities and technology enhancements. The Venture center-console brand was also part of the acquisition and plans are on the drawing board to modernize the brand with all new design and tooling for future opportunities as part of the Willis Custom Yachts family. MarkCam Inc, in-house design, will relocate to the new facility. WCY also proudly announced that Doug West joined as president and general manager of yacht services. Doug previously served as president/CEO of Lauderdale Marine Center and president of Rybovich in West Palm Beach, two of the largest marine service facilities in the country. Willis Custom Yachts, LLC was formed earlier this year by Stuart boatbuilder Mark Willis and Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur and investor Brooks Smith. Mark's company, Willis Marine Inc., of Stuart, was founded in 1990 and merged into the new entity. The company specializes in building customized sport fishing yachts.

On the Mapp: Palm City CRA project celebrating major milestone, new beginnings

PALM CITY--The Mapp points to even more good things to come. Years of careful study, planning and public input culminate from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 14 at the Mapp Road Town Center Ribbon-cutting ceremony. "This project is near and dear to my heart," says Ed Ciampi, Martin County commissioner representing Palm City. "This project has been on the books for two decades." Local businesses are invited to join the Palm City Chamber in the celebration, which will include games, face-painting and fairy hair for the kids and an open house at Fire Station Station 21. The Mapp Road project is central to the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) plan for revitalizing Old Palm City. Adopted in 2002, the plan includes enhancements to neighborhoods streets, sidewalks and bike paths, gateway signs, infrastructure upgrades and more.

Citizens volunteered to serve on the Old Palm City Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) to help review and make recommendations on plans put forth by the county's CRA Department. NAC members include Mark Searle, Albert C. Allen, Brent Baris, Carolyn Davi, John Leighton III, Chuck Locke, Thomas Plymale, Kerry Sees and Rex Sentell. Ciampi credited the community volunteers as well as county staffers Susan Kores, community development manager, and Jordan Pastorius, senior project manager, for the roles in the success achieved so far in the ongoing effort. "There have been a handful of local individuals who have stuck with this project, this dream, since the very beginning," he says. "Susan Kores and Jordan Pastorius, their passion to see the project through made my job so much easier. "I couldn't be more thrilled and proud of what we've accomplished," he added. "Finishing Mapp Road is just the beginning of a lot of exciting projects that we have in store for Palm City. We're aware of exciting business opportunities that are already in the works."

Apply now to hitch your entrepreneurial idea to FPL's 35 Mules

Why would you want to swim in the Shark Tank when you could hitch your entrepreneurial idea to a 35 Mules? 35 Mules, an innovation hub powered by FPL, is looking for passionate entrepreneurs with great ideas. In September 2020, 35 Mules opened its doors to help big ideas achieve even greater scale. The program welcomed six startups, The Original 6, into its first cohort. Now, 35 Mules is in search of its second cohort. If your idea is ready, apply now.

Congratulations, Commissioners Smith, Jenkins

Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith received the Presidential Advocacy Award from the Florida Association of Counites for his work during the 2021 legislative session. The award recognizes county commissioners who've demonstrated exceptional leaders during session to advance the legislative agenda and preserve home rule.

The Institute for County Government presented Martin County Commissioner Harold Jenkins with the Advanced County Commissioner Level I designation. Launched in 2006, the voluntary leadership program requires a 27-hour course that emphasizes the future of Florida.

IT Apprenticeships Launched by CareerSource

CareerSource Research Coast is aiming to expand the tech talent pipeline by sponsoring three new apprenticeship program occupations in IT. Each program includes a training model consisting of 15-17 months of on-the-job employment. Apprentices in the Tech Support Specialists Apprenticeship program receive 325 hours of related technical instruction, preparing them for key certifications. All participants receive training on: Hardware Software Network troubleshooting Configuration/installation on laptop, desktop and mobile Cloud storage IT Operations Security basics For more, businesses can email apprenticeships@careersourcerc.com or call (866) 482-4473.

TCRPC seeking business owners input on access to capital

If you experienced challenges obtaining funding to keep your business or nonprofit operational during the Covid crisis, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) wants to help craft solutions and clarify how best you can identify and access available resources. But first, the agency needs to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and feel free to share the link with as many colleagues or contacts as you can. The greater the insights gained, the more effectively TCRCP will be able to make a difference for the better.

IRSC Names Alex Anzalone New Chastain Campus President

Indian River State College (IRSC) has announced the appointment of Alessandro “Alex” Anzalone as Campus President for the IRSC Chastain Campus in Stuart. Anzalone succeeds Elizabeth “Beth” Gaskin, BDBMC Board Member, who became the IRSC Vice President for Student Success in late February.   “IRSC Campus Presidents serve as frontline ambassadors to the local communities we serve,” states Dr. Timothy Moore, IRSC President. “I am pleased to welcome Alex to the College’s team of experienced, innovative leaders as Chastain Campus President.”   Dr. Alessandro Anzalone comes to IRSC from Hillsborough Community College (HCC), where he has served as the Dean of Associate in Science Programs at the Brandon Campus since 2016. He additionally served as Interim Campus President from 2019 to 2021. Prior, Anzalone was Program Chair and an Instructor of Engineering Technology from 2009 to 2015. His higher-education teaching and leadership experience includes positions with Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, San Juan.   Anzalone also brings private sector and entrepreneurial experience to IRSC. He served as vice president and founding co-partner of Florida Contract Growers Incorporated—a successful small wholesale producer of plants, herbs, and flowers. Anzalone earned his Ph.D. from the University of South Florida, Tampa; his Master of Science Degree from New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York; and his Bachelor of Science Degree from the Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica, Venezuela.

Martin County Commercial Real Estate Numbers to Know*

BDBMC available to help businesses

A Stronger Economy is Everyone's Business.

The Business Development Board of Martin County, a public-private partnership for economic development is proudly funded and supported by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners, City of Stuart, American Stairparts, Bank of America, FPL, Indian River State College, Council of Chambers, Economic Council, key industry leaders and regional organizations. The BDBMC helps business owners, entrepreneurs and executives to start, grow, stay, invest and create in Martin County, Florida. To learn more, visit www.bdbmc.org or call 772.221.1380.