Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021
United Economic Leadership
Brought to you by |
Business Development Board
of Martin County
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"While we thought a lot of our tangible personal property taxes would fall, they're actually coming up and now we have even more. It was just a blip that happened last year that just isn't continuing into 2021.”—Jenny Fields, Martin County property appraiser
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Across the 'Sands' of time, commerce center consistently flourishing |
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PALM CITY—Sands Commerce Center is buzzing with industry and economic activity—and at a frenzied pace that it’s managed to maintain for decades.
The location—off S.R. 7-14—is outstanding. The total footprint is expansive. And there’s plenty of room to grow, which the center is currently in the process of doing. Little wonder the businesses and tenants onsite encompass such an array of powerhouses and rising stars.
To deepen our knowledge and appreciation of the operation, we recently sat down with Woody Smoak. Celebrating his 50th year in local commercial real estate this October, Woody negotiates leases and contracts for landlords, tenants, sellers and buyers at Sands Commerce.
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BDB: You’ve been able to consistently maintain capacity at a very high level for a long time. What’s the secret to such success?
Woody: I’m successful because I’m sincere. I always put you ahead of me.
BDB: The overall size of the property here is really impressive.
Woody: It’s 270 acres.
BDB: The existing buildings cover more than 1.4 million square feet. And you’re building a Phase 4 that will be 456,000 square feet.
Woody: We’re certainly not building 6,000-square-foot buildings here.
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BDB: What is your timeline for construction of the new phase?
Woody: Hopefully, we start in 2022. Now we’re proceeding with development for the next phase.
BDB: You’ve got some very exciting businesses here and you’ve been able to accommodate their growth—even when that growth is exponential. What can you tell us some of those companies?
Woody: Air Burners has grown with us, staring at 3,000 square feet and is now 70,000 square feet. International (Wholesale) Tile was 10,000 square feet and now it’s 220,000 square feet. There are many like that, and they stick with us. I have many tenants who have been here for 25 years. That’s the story of this place.
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BDB: Industrial real estate in Martin County--everywhere really--is in very high demand and short supply right now.
Woody: Yes, and with the shortage of industrial properties in Martin County, I don't foresee that short supply easing any time in the near future.
BDB: What’s the best way to describe the majority of businesses at Sands Commerce?
Woody: There's a variety of light manufacturing and distribution.
BDB: Where does most of the workforce based here live?
Woody: Our workforce comes from Martin and St. Lucie counties.
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BDB: You’ve had a very impressive and very long career.
Woody: I was doing this before Loopnet and CoStar. It wasn’t easy. I was raised in New Jersey, attended school in Louisiana and arrived in Stuart in 1970. My dad was a fisherman and had been coming here since the early 1960s. I was 22 when I started in the real estate business. I’ve never had a salaried job. In addition to having my own commercial real estate company, Progressive Properties, which I started in Stuart in 1976, I’ve worked with many impressive individuals, including the Sands family, whom I've represented since the early 1980s.
BDB: What are some of the changes you’ve observed in the local business climate over the years?
Woody: We’re now putting to use some of our industrial zoned properties, specifically around the Kanner Highway interchange. Mr. Sands was a great visionary and he believed if you build it, they will come. That's why we have nearly a million-and-half square feet at the Sands Commerce Center with zero vacancy.
BDB: What kind of future is there in Martin County for industrial?
Woody: As long as there's land appropriate zoned light industrial, which allows for clean industry—and as long as Martin County remains a very attractive place to live—businesses and families will continue to come. The future of Martin County industrial is very bright.
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Special guest: Property Appraiser Jenny Fields addressed our board meeting |
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STUART--Jenny Fields, Martin County property appraiser, and Karl Andersson, chief deputy, gave the BDB Board of Directors a fact-filled presentation diving into values of local properties and assets.
Get a peek at the graphics below and check out their new website for more.
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Community nominations sought for
2021 Martin County Business Awards
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Each year the Business Development Board of Martin County (BDBMC), with its economic and community partners, celebrates businesses and individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Martin County’s economy and community. We continue the tradition in 2021 and are now seeking nominations by the community.
To celebrate the best of local business, simply complete a nomination form and submit your online form(s) by Wednesday, September 8, 2021 for consideration.
Nomination Categories
New Business (Newcomer) of the Year
Non-Profit Business of the Year
Small Business of the Year (employs < than 20)
Business of the Year
Business Expansion of the Year
Headquarters of the Year
Entrepreneur of the Year (Individual)
Charlene Hoag Leadership Award (Individual)
Sponsorships Packages for the event are also available.
Simply click the link below to learn how you can support the
Best of Local Business in 2021.
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Join celebration of Mapp Road Town Center ribbon cutting Aug. 28 |
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PALM CITY--Storms delayed the initial date, but nothing can slow community excitement over the new Mapp Road Town Center Community Redevelopment Area project.
Local businesses are invited to join the Palm City Chamber in enjoying the ribbon cutting and festivities from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28.
"This project is near and dear to my heart," says Ed Ciampi, Martin County commissioner representing Palm City.
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."
Special events will include games, face-painting and fairy hair for the kids and an open house at Fire Station Station 21. Volunteers from the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast will be on hand to share more about their services and offer some adoptable (and adorable) pups!
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.
A sample of NAC members who've served over the last five years include Rex Sentell, Mark Palazzo, Jane Landrum, Chuck Smith, Mike Searle, Doug Legler, Candace Lopes and Ken Natoli.
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BDBMC available to help businesses |
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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.
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