Page 7 - Jupiter Spotlight - February '22

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 7
Commissioner’s Update

Strategic Planning To Provide Natural resources, beaches, parks facilities and The county’s Department of Housing and Economic
Development works with businesses to help them leverage
recreational areas contribute greatly to our health and
Essential Services quality of life, and create positive outdoor experiences financing for construction and working capital through
for residents and visitors. The county completed 18 federal low-interest loan programs. They also contract with
By Commissioner improvement projects in targeted revitalization areas, technical assistance providers who offer one-on-one help
Maria Marino including community gardens, neighborhood parks, to entrepreneurs. The Office of Small Business Assistance
Planning programs and and traffic calming and pedestrian safety features. The performs outreach to help small businesses become certified,
projects for the highest county’s park acres-to-resident ratio is 1 acre of park and expand their capacity to participate in government
and best use of your tax property to 184 residents. procurement opportunities.
dollars requires cross- To promote sustainable and resilient practices, Supporting economic development also requires
collaboration of county the county is incorporating policies in our capital revitalization of neighborhoods through community
departments. This approach improvement projects, has established a master plan to improvements. This includes access to parks, road
prevents operating in silos, increase tree canopy in parks, has invested in solar power resurfacing, streetlights and sidewalks.
which can undermine the initiatives, and is replacing old ballfield lighting with As the nation’s leader in sugarcane and fresh sweet corn
vision of an organization LED lights. production, and Florida’s leader in growing sweet peppers,
and create inefficiencies. Efforts will continue to support these goals, develop lettuce, specialty leaf, rice, radishes, cucumbers, celery,
Working with County Administration and the Strategic overall waste reduction strategies, and expand partnerships eggplant, herbs and sod, Palm Beach County supports a
Planning and Performance Management Division of the with local stakeholders. viable and diverse agricultural industry. Through educational
Office of Financial Management and Budget, the County Economic Development workshops and training events, the county has assisted
Commission has adopted six strategic priorities for the The environmental amenities and parks in our thousands of farmers, nursery growers, landscapers and
county. These priorities include economic development, county are some of the quality-of-life features that draw residents to preserve and enhance agriculture, encourage
housing and homelessness, environmental protection, businesses to our community. The top four industries by workforce safety, practice Florida-friendly landscaping, and
infrastructure, public safety, and substance abuse and employment are professional and business services, trade/ create more community gardens.
behavior disorders. Cross-departmental teams over the transportation/utilities, education and health services, Student apprentice programs help meet local needs and
past two years have tackled each of the six priorities and, leisure and hospitality. Palm Beach County has provide our young workforce with valuable experience.
through establishment of goals and performance earned the title of “Wall Street South,” having drawn Opportunities are available in the departments of Water
measurement tracking the completion of projects. Here more than 30 corporate relocations or expansions during Utilities, Youth Services, Parks & Recreation, the Building
is a recap of progress by two of the priority teams. this two-year period. More than 70 percent of those Division, and Fire Rescue.
Environmental Protection companies are from other states, predominantly New York I hope this gives you some insight on how county
Efforts to sustain our healthy beaches included and California. This has resulted in the creation of more departments work together to give you the “best bang for your
replacement of 2.1 million cubic yards of sand; regulatory than 2,500 jobs and $150 million of capital investments. buck.” Please contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at
sea turtle nest lighting inspections; the monitoring of To promote economic revitalization and support the mmarino@pbcgov.org, and let me know how I can help you.
fecal coliform bacteria levels at county beach parks; and, creation of diverse job opportunities, the county’s cross-
improved educational signage. departmental team takes advantage of grant opportunities
To maintain our diverse ecosystems, the county, utilizing and programs at the state and federal levels, with an
a large complement of volunteers, stays on top of eliminating emphasis on business development in distressed census tract Advertise,
invasive/exotic vegetation coverage in our natural areas, areas, including Opportunity Zones. We are consistently Check out our website!
and continuously advocates for state and federal support evaluating systems to make it easier to do business in Palm
for infrastructure that will reduce harmful discharges Beach County, with expedited permit review in our Building www.seabreezepublications.com
to the Lake Worth Lagoon, our delicate estuaries, and Division and construction of infrastructure improvements.
water resources. The Water Utilities Department regularly Further, the county coordinates efforts by stakeholders in or call 746-3244
inspects private and public facilities for compliance with the Biotech Industry Cluster to develop wet lab space,
wellfield protection and petroleum tank regulations. incubators, and a teaching hospital.