Attract a Cool Billionaire: How Port St. Lucie Becomes Florida's Next Economic Powerhouse 🚀

Let me paint you a picture. It's 2030. Port St. Lucie isn't just the fastest-growing city in Florida anymore—it's the place where the smartest investors, the most innovative companies, and yes, even a few cool billionaires decided to plant their flag. We're not talking about some pie-in-the-sky fantasy. We're talking about a deliberate, strategic transformation that starts right now.

Here's the truth: PSL has everything a major investor wants. 📍 Location? Check. Workforce? Check. Affordable land? Double-check. Quality of life that makes employees actually want to live here? You bet.

So why aren't we already swarming with Fortune 500 companies and visionary entrepreneurs? Simple: we haven't been selling ourselves hard enough. We've been sitting on a goldmine acting like we're just another sleepy Florida town. That ends when I'm Mayor.

Why Big Investment Changes Everything 💰

Look, I get it. When you hear "attract a billionaire," some people roll their eyes. They think it's about fancy dinners and backroom deals for the rich. Let me be crystal clear: this isn't about helping billionaires get richer. This is about what their investment does for you, for your family, and for our entire community.

When a major company or investor comes to town, here's what actually happens:

• Jobs—Good Ones: Not minimum-wage gigs, but careers with benefits, advancement, and salaries that let you buy a home and raise a family right here in PSL.
• Tax Base Expansion: More businesses paying taxes means we can fund better services without constantly reaching into your pocket.
• Local Business Growth: Big employers need suppliers, restaurants, services, and housing. That means opportunity for the small businesses already here.
• Property Values: Strategic growth increases home values responsibly—building wealth for homeowners without pricing people out.
• Amenities: Major investors often bring entertainment, dining, and cultural attractions that make life better for everyone.

We've Done This Before—And We Can Do It Again 🏆

Some folks act like attracting major investment is some impossible dream. But here's what they forget: PSL has already proven we can land the big fish. Let me remind you of a few success stories that show exactly what's possible when we get serious about economic development.

See the pattern? We can land the big deals. We have the location. We have the workforce. We have the quality of life. What we need is leadership that treats economic development like the priority it should be—not an afterthought.

The PSL Advantage: Why Investors Should Choose Us 📊

Let me break down exactly why Port St. Lucie is such an attractive destination for major investment. When I'm pitching to investors—and trust me, I will be pitching constantly—these are the numbers and facts that seal the deal:

But numbers only tell part of the story. Here's what really matters:

🌴 Location, Location, Location

We're strategically positioned on Florida's Treasure Coast with easy access to I-95, the Florida Turnpike, and Port Canaveral. Orlando's 90 minutes north. Miami's 90 minutes south. Palm Beach International Airport is right up the road. You can reach 60 million consumers within a day's drive. For logistics, distribution, and regional headquarters, that's unbeatable.

👥 A Growing, Educated Workforce

PSL isn't just growing—we're growing smart. Our population includes skilled tradespeople, healthcare professionals, tech workers, and service industry veterans. Indian River State College produces talented graduates every year. We're attracting remote workers from high-cost cities who bring skills and salaries. And with our affordable housing, employees can actually afford to live where they work—unlike Miami, Tampa, or Orlando.

💵 Business-Friendly Environment

Florida has no state income tax. Our regulatory environment is designed to help businesses succeed, not strangle them with red tape. Land is still affordable compared to South Florida markets. And our quality of life—great schools, low crime, beautiful weather, outdoor recreation—makes it easy to recruit talent from anywhere.

Why This Matters to You (Yes, You) 🫵

I know what some of you are thinking. "Steven, this all sounds great for the businesses and the billionaires, but what about me? I'm not starting a tech company. I'm just trying to live my life."

Fair question. Let me answer it directly.

When I say "attract a cool billionaire," I'm not talking about giving handouts to rich people. I'm talking about creating an ecosystem where major investment flows into our community and lifts everyone up. Here's what that looks like in your daily life:

For Young People: Imagine graduating from high school or college and having real career options right here in PSL. Not just retail or food service, but engineering jobs, healthcare positions, creative careers in tech and media. Jobs that pay enough to buy your first home, start a family, and build a future without leaving the city you grew up in.

For Working Families: Picture having multiple employers competing for your skills. That means better wages, better benefits, and the security of knowing that if one job doesn't work out, there are others. It means your spouse can find work too. It means you can afford that family vacation, that car repair, that little extra breathing room at the end of the month.

For Small Business Owners: Think about what happens when 500 new employees move to town. They need coffee in the morning. They need lunch spots. They need dry cleaning, childcare, auto repair, and home services. Major investment creates a rising tide that lifts local businesses right along with it.

For Retirees: Consider how property values stabilize and grow with a diverse, thriving economy. Think about the new restaurants, entertainment options, and amenities that come with a growing city. Picture your grandkids having opportunities to stay local instead of moving away for work.

For Everyone: Remember that every new business paying taxes is a business that's helping fund better roads, better parks, better public safety, and better services—without constantly raising your property taxes.

Steven's Plan: How We Bring the Big Money to PSL 📋

Alright, enough about why this matters. Let me tell you exactly how we're going to make it happen. I'm not running for Mayor to hope and pray that investors show up. I'm running to actively, aggressively, strategically bring them here.

1. Streamline Permitting—Speed Wins Deals 🏃‍♂️

Here's a secret about major investors: time is money. When a company is deciding where to locate a facility, they need certainty and speed. Every month of delay costs them millions. If PSL can approve projects faster than competing cities, we win.

As Mayor, I'll implement a fast-track permitting process for major developments that meet our criteria for job creation and community benefit. Not shortcuts on safety or environmental standards—just efficiency. Dedicated staff. Clear timelines. No bureaucratic runaround. When a serious investor comes to town, they'll know PSL moves at the speed of business, not the speed of government.

2. Create an Investment Welcome Center—One-Stop Shopping 🏢

Right now, if you're a CEO thinking about relocating to PSL, who do you call? Where do you go? The answer is... it's complicated. And complicated loses deals.

We're creating an Investment Welcome Center—a physical, staffed office where businesses can get every question answered, every form processed, and every introduction made. Zoning questions? Here's your expert. Workforce data? We've got the reports. Incentive programs? Let me walk you through them. This isn't just customer service—it's competitive advantage.

3. Targeted Incentives—Smart Deals, Not Blank Checks 🎯

I'm not giving away the store. Any incentives we offer will be strategic, performance-based, and tied to real commitments. You want a tax break? Show us the jobs. Show us the investment. Show us the community benefits.

And here's the key: clawback provisions. If a company promises 500 jobs and only delivers 200, they don't get the full incentive. If they commit to $50 million in investment and fall short, we adjust the deal. We're partners, not suckers. Smart incentives attract serious players. Serious players deliver real results.

4. Infrastructure Ready—Shovel-Ready Sites 🚧

Investors hate surprises. They hate finding out that the perfect site lacks water hookups, or the roads need upgrading, or the power grid can't handle their needs. By the time they discover those issues, they've moved on to the next city.

We're going to pre-identify and prepare shovel-ready sites with utilities, road access, and environmental approvals already in place. When an investor says "I need 100 acres for a distribution center," we can immediately show them three options that are ready to build on. That responsiveness wins deals.

5. Quality of Life Marketing—Sell the PSL Lifestyle 🌅

Here's something a lot of economic developers forget: companies don't move somewhere just because it's good for business. They move where their employees want to live. And PSL has an incredible story to tell.

We're going to aggressively market our affordable housing—where else in Florida can a middle-class family actually buy a home? Our great schools. Our low crime rate. Our outdoor lifestyle—fishing, boating, golf, beaches. Our growing food and arts scene. When companies see that their employees can have a better life in PSL for less money, that becomes a powerful recruiting tool for them—and a powerful attraction for us.

6. Local Business Support—Rising Tide Lifts All Boats 🚤

I'm not interested in bringing in big companies that operate in isolation. Every major investment needs to benefit the local economy. That means:

• Local hiring requirements: Priority for PSL residents when companies recruit
• Supplier diversity programs: Connecting big employers with local small businesses
• Community benefit agreements: Investments in parks, schools, or infrastructure as part of major deals
• Apprenticeship and training partnerships: Working with IRSC and local schools to develop the workforce companies need

When a billion-dollar company comes to town, local businesses should be celebrating—not worrying about being pushed out.

7. Be the Chief Salesperson—Hustle Never Sleeps 💼

Here's the most important part: as Mayor, I will be PSL's chief salesperson. That means traveling to industry conferences. Meeting with site selectors. Hosting investor delegations. Following up on every lead. Celebrating every win publicly so the next company sees our success.

Economic development isn't a passive activity. You don't sit in City Hall waiting for the phone to ring. You get out there. You hustle. You pitch. You close. That's what I intend to do—because Port St. Lucie deserves a Mayor who fights for every job, every investment, and every opportunity.

What We're Looking For: Target Industries 🎯

I'm not just throwing darts at a board hoping something sticks. We have a strategic focus on industries that match PSL's strengths and offer the best opportunities for our residents. Here's what we're actively pursuing:

💻 Technology and Innovation

Digital Domain proved we can handle tech. Now let's expand. Software companies. Data centers. Cybersecurity firms. Remote work hubs. Florida's business-friendly environment and our quality of life make PSL a magnet for tech talent and tech companies.

🏭 Advanced Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing isn't the dirty, low-skill work of the past. It's precision engineering, robotics, and high-tech production. These jobs pay well, offer great benefits, and create opportunities for advancement. With our workforce and location, we can compete for these facilities.

⚕️ Healthcare and Medical Research

Florida's population is growing and aging. Healthcare is recession-proof. Medical research facilities, biotech companies, and healthcare headquarters are natural fits for PSL. We're already a healthcare hub for the region—let's expand that strength.

📦 Logistics and Distribution

Costco saw what we offer. Other companies will too. Our location between major population centers, our highway access, and our available land make us ideal for distribution centers, warehousing, and logistics operations.

⚽ Entertainment and Sports Ventures

The soccer club is just the beginning. Sports facilities. Entertainment venues. Film and television production. PSL has the space, the weather, and the growing population to support major entertainment investments.

🌱 Clean Energy and Sustainability

Solar manufacturing. Battery technology. Sustainable agriculture. The green economy is the future, and PSL can be part of it. Our sunshine, our land, and our forward-thinking community make us attractive for clean energy investments.

The Vision: PSL in 2030 🔮

Let me close by painting that picture again—because this is what we're working toward.

It's 2030. Port St. Lucie is known as the place where smart money goes. We've got a thriving tech corridor with companies that started small and grew big. We've got a sports and entertainment district that draws visitors from across the state. We've got distribution centers providing stable, good-paying jobs. We've got medical research facilities pushing the boundaries of healthcare.

Our young people don't have to leave to find opportunity—they're building careers right here. Our small businesses are thriving because there's more money flowing through the local economy. Our property values are strong. Our tax base is diverse. Our services are well-funded.

And when people ask how we did it, the answer is simple: we decided to be bold. We decided to compete. We decided that Port St. Lucie wasn't going to be a bedroom community or an afterthought. We were going to be an economic powerhouse.

That's the vision. That's the goal. And with your support, that's exactly where we're headed.

Got an idea? Know a company that should consider PSL? Just want to talk about the future? Email me at stevengiordanoformayor@aol.com or call (772) 812-3930. Let's make Port St. Lucie the city we know it can be. Together. 🇺🇸