Monday, June 21, 2021

United Economic Leadership

Brought to you by |
Business Development Board
of Martin County

"Employers are being extremely competitive to get good talent. They are offering $150 bonuses just for filling out an application if they hire you, $500 sign-on bonuses for dishwashers, and $1,000 sign-on bonuses for janitors, cooks, and waitstaff.”—Tiffany Price, general manager at JobNewsUSA, in Miami Herald, June 18, 2021
Entrepreneurs, start your engines: BDB's new grads geared up to move market
L-R: Troy McDonald, Katherine Culhane, James Carroll, Marcus Christie, Nathalie Sparrow, Nadine Lowe, Nina Dooley, Lisbeth Martinez, Cody Jones, Maygan Milton, Steve Ottley, Jorge Sanure, Ondera Campbell, Tom Kindred, Joan Goodrich and Dr. Prashanth Pilly.
Congratulations to the graduates of the Business Development Board of Martin County's inaugural Side Hustle to Main Gig class, who just completed six weeks of training, learning techniques and tactics and gaining tips from successful local business owners--all in the purpose of preparing them to launch their entrepreneurial endeavors.

"We're so proud of this great group of individuals and really appreciate the energy and enthusiasm they brought to each class," says Joan K. Goodrich, executive director of the Business Development Board of Martin County. "We're also incredibly grateful for the business owners who gave of their time and shared their wisdom to really enrich this overall experience and position these industrious, dedicated entrepreneurs for success."

Speakers included:

  • Clifton Vaughn, consultant for Florida Small Business Development Center at Indian River State College
  • Aron Dames, Aron's Towing
  • Larry Williams, Triple L Insurance
  • Joe Connelly, Recovery Insurance Adjusters
  • K.C. Daniel, Associate Auctions
  • Richard Atkinson, Seacoast Bank
  • Eula Clarke, Esq., Law Office of Eula R. Clarke, P.A.
  • Dorothy Flemming, Dorothy's Affordable Accounting Services
  • Gregg Nuttall, HBK CPA & Consultants
  • Michael Singh, Team Logic IT

Side Hustle to Main Gig is the result of a partnership with Martin County, the City of Stuart, NAACP of Martin County, Indian River State College and the Florida Small Business Development Center. The new program serves as a lead-in class to the well-established Martin County Business Accelerator Program conducted at least twice a year.
(Dirty, greasy) hands-on training gives young people with priceless workforce experience
In what just might be some of the most important lessons of their young lives, twenty-one (20) young adults (ages 18 - 21) learned the value—in many senses of the word—of hard work thanks to the Treasure Coast Builders Association’s “Ready to Work” Skilled Trades Boot Camp.
Held at Project LIFT in Palm City, participants got hands-on experience in a variety of construction jobs, including:

  • Masonry/Pavers with US Paverscapes
  • Screening with The Porch Factory
  • Drywall with Clay Wick RK Hansen of Abdon Vargas
  • Windows/doors with Lloyd Rogers of RDI Kitchens
  • Electrical with Elite Electric
  • Roofing with Larry Neese Roofing
  • Painting with Jose Hernandez of JH Custom Painting
  • Garage door with Garage Door Experts
Just like Martin County's economy, BDB is growing ... and hiring
Want to experience the excitement of benefitting local small businesses, contributing to the strength of Martin County's economy, and working with dedicated professionals in a dynamic environment?

Then the Business Development Board of Martin County has the opportunity for you.

We're recruiting Economic Development Coordinators and want to hear from you. Send your letter of interest to joan@bdbmc.org by July 2. Learn more about us at our website.

Joan
Joan K. Goodrich
Executive Director
Business Development Board of Martin County
ICYMI: Implosion marks final emissions of Indiantown coal-fired plant
“This has been a long journey of trying to enter into a next phase of how we end up serving our customers, our community and state, and setting an example for the rest of the country and the rest of the world. I want our children to look back on today and think, ‘You know what, they really did the right thing,'" -- Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL
Help select the signs that greet arrivals to the City of Stuart
Cast your vote for the entry signs into the City of Stuart’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), which is considering two design concepts:

Both concepts will be presented publicly, first at the CRA meeting at 4 p.m. July 6 and then at the joint CRA/Community Redevelopment Board and Stuart City Commission at 4:30 p.m. July 26.
Numbers to Know
12 cents
Rise in gas per gallon across Florida this week

$2.97
Average price per gallon statewide

$3.08
Average price per gallon nationwide
BDBMC available to help businesses
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.