PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
title
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 71, ARTICLE 2, GENERAL ORDINANCES, MARTIN COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARTIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 71, Article 2, Economic Development Fund, General Ordinances, Martin County Code. These revisions are necessary to implement the new Martin County Economic Development Toolkit, which is presented for Board of County Commissioner (“Board’) review and approval as a strategic, comprehensive framework for the County’s economic development incentives and programs in accordance with the Martin County Comprehensive Plan.
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DEPARTMENT: Administration
PREPARED BY: Name: George M. Stokus
Title: Assistant County Administrator
REQUESTED BY:
PRESET: 10:30 AM
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
I. Background
Economic conditions directly influence the pace and quality of growth within a geographic area. A strong economy fosters vibrant, high-quality communities, while in return, those communities help sustain economic strength. Businesses and their employees thrive in locations that are attractive, well-planned, and supportive of a desirable lifestyle-offering opportunities for living, commuting, recreation, and community engagement.
A primary objective of Martin County is to promote balanced, orderly, and sustainable economic growth by cultivating an environment that enhances prosperity for all residents and communities. Consistent with Policy 15.1B.4 of the Martin County Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, the County is directed to develop and administer incentive programs that strengthen its competitive position in retaining, expanding, and attracting targeted industries. These programs are to be reviewed and updated periodically to respond to evolving needs in key areas such as workforce and human resources, technology, infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and overall quality of life.
The existing Job Creation Toolkit and the provisions of Section 71.45, General Ordinances, Martin County Code, are no longer applicable due to changes in the Florida Statutes. Staff is proposing a revision from the Job Creation Toolkit to a broader program to be known as the Martin County Economic Development Toolkit. The Toolkit’s main goals are to stimulate capital investment, create high-quality jobs, diversify the tax base, and support industries that align with Martin County’s vision for a resilient, sustainable economy. Specifically targeted industries are advanced manufacturing, additive manufacturing, green industries, and other sectors cited in Martin County’s and the State of Florida’s targeted industries list.
II. Martin County Economic Toolkit
The 2025 Martin County Economic Toolkit (“Toolkit”) prioritizes capital investment as the primary criterion for most major incentive programs, with job creation playing a secondary or supporting role. This focus is evident in the minimum investment thresholds and the calculation of incentive amounts across multiple programs. Incentive programs such as the Opportunity Fund and Local Closing Fund require businesses to commit to significant capital investment amounts-$10 million and $5 million minimums, respectively, for qualifying projects. The actual award amounts are capped based on a percentage of this capital investment (up to 10%), emphasizing the County’s objective to secure substantial, tangible investments in new construction, equipment, or infrastructure that will enhance the County’s tax base and economic landscape. The only program where job creation and workforce development are direct drivers is the Training and Workforce Grants, which require both a recent $1 million investment and a specific plan for employee training or workforce support. Even here, capital outlay remains a prerequisite for qualification, reinforcing the capital-centric intent of the overall toolkit.
A. Core Incentive Programs
The Toolkit establishes six (6) major incentive programs, each structured with detailed eligibility criteria and compliance protocols:
1. Opportunity Fund: Provides reimbursement grants for businesses committing to large-scale, high-impact projects (minimum $10 million investment). Capped at $1 million per project.
2. Local Closing Fund: Delivers gap-filling financial grants for critical projects, targeting investments of at least $5 million. Maximum $500,000 per project.
3. Expedited Permitting: Accelerates development review and permitting for priority industries, streamlining processes but not offering direct financial support.
4. Training and Workforce Grants: Issues reimbursements for employee training and workforce development, including support for transportation and childcare, especially in advanced and green technologies.
5. Industrial Development Authority Bonds: Facilitates access to tax-exempt financing for large-scale County projects.
6. Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program: Offers property tax exemptions for qualified businesses, calculated via a scoring system based on job creation, wage levels, and capital investment; exemptions can last up to 10 years (Voter Approved). This program is implemented according to Chapter 71, Article 13, Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions, General Ordinances, Martin County Code and Section 196.1995, Florida Statutes.
B. Implementation and Oversight
Each program requires pre-application review, detailed documentation, and ongoing compliance reporting. All incentive awards are subject to annual audit, public reporting, and performance grant provisions in the case of non-performance. Final approval of grants and exemptions remains with the Board to ensure consistency with County strategic goals and fiscal responsibility. To minimize financial risk to the County, all incentive awards are provided as reimbursements upon the recipient’s successful completion of applicable program requirements.
III. Proposed Ordinance
In addition to the Toolkit, the Board is also asked to approve a proposed ordinance amending Chapter 71, Article 2, Economic Development Fund, General Ordinances, Martin County Code. This amendment is necessary to (i) remove reference in Section 71.45 to the Economic Development Impact and Building Permit Fee Mitigation Program (which program is now set forth in the Toolkit) and (ii) insert appropriate reference to the new Toolkit. Additionally, the proposed ordinance sets forth the minimum requirements for the Toolkit, provides that the Board shall adopt, and may later amend, the Toolkit by ordinance and requires the County Administrator to review the Toolkit every two (2) years. The proposed ordinance, and the incentives and programs implemented through the Toolkit, are applicable in all areas of Martin County where Martin County is the taxing authority.
This public hearing was advertised in The Stuart News on November 7, 2025.
ISSUES:
None.
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This is a legislative matter. Legislative decisions are those in which the local government formulates policy rather than applying specific rules to a particular situation. A local government’s approval or denial of an issue in its legislative capacity is typically subject to a fairly debatable standard of review. Fairly debatable means that the government’s action must be upheld if reasonable minds could differ as to the propriety of the decision reached. Decisions subject to the fairly debatable standard of review need only be rationally related to a legitimate public purpose, such as the health, safety, and welfare of the public, to be valid. Given this broad discretion, only decisions that arbitrary and capricious or illegal are subject to serious legal challenge.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board adopt a Resolution approving the proposed Martin County Economic Development Toolkit and adopt the proposed ordinance amending Chapter 71, Article 2, Economic Development Fund, General Ordinances, Martin County Code.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Provide staff further guidance as to how to proceed.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☒Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.