Martin County eyes Innovation District to bounce back from COVID-19 economic losses

MARTIN COUNTY — The county wants to boost aerospace, marine and information technology industries along a corridor where they’ve been taking shape. An Innovation District, which would include existing businesses related to these industries, could be a tool in a larger action plan to recover economic losses the county experienced from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The plan also gives countywide recommendations for retaining the workforce, improving infrastructure and enhancing recreation and arts venues.

The district would be a focal point of economic growth countywide.

The proposed district would be bordered roughly by Witham Field airport and Southeast Monterey Road on the north, Southeast Salerno Road on the south, U.S.1 to the west and Southeast Dixie Highway to the east, according to county records. It would partially encompass Stuart city limits. 

City officials on Tuesday said they were unaware of the concept or that it would include an area of Stuart.

The concept comes from an analysis by BusinessFlare, a consultant hired to assess the pandemic’s impacts on the county. The County Commission discussed the report Tuesday.  

“Designating the Innovation District itself wouldn’t change the different zoning categories within there. It’s more about economic development, business connection, research, technology (and) those types of things,” said Kevin Crowder, owner of BusinessFlare. 

Economic output in the county between 2019 and the third quarter of 2020 fell by 0.6% and employment fell 4.7% during the same time, according to the report. 

The county’s next step would be to hire economic-development consultants to map out a master plan for infrastructure improvements, such as septic-to-sewer conversions or water-drainage projects, which would be funded with federal American Rescue Plan money, said George Stokus, assistant county administrator.   

“I feel like it’s a labeling of what exists… It’s kind of like an industrial (Community Redevelopment Area),” Stokus said of the district. “It’s motivating (businesses) to feel excited to bring more jobs or more capital on the private side into that area.” 

Joan Goodrich, executive director of the Business Development Board of Martin County, supported the “continuation of economic diversification” while recovering from the ripple effects of COVID-19, she said. 

“We stand ready to support the action items in this plan,” she said. 

Lina Ruiz is TCPalm’s watchdog reporter for Martin County. You can reach her at [email protected], on Twitter @Lina_Ruiz48 or at 321-501-3845.