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Palm Bay, an ad valorem tax exemption program for
qualified businesses, expedited permitting and a "business
friendly" atmosphere among city reviewing departments and
the Chamber of Commerce. "The philosophy of the city is to
facilitate quality development. We understand the relationship
between businesses and the financial stability of the city, says
Bob Nanni, City former Manager. "The Majors Golf Club has
all the ingredients that make up a great championship golf course,"
says Arnold Palmer. The landing areas off the tees are generous,
but then players face demanding approach shots and challenging
greens on this new 200 acre course.
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| Palm Bay is very young. The city was
planned in the late 1950s and incorporated in 1960. The 6th largest
incorporated area in Florida with 65 square miles, Palm Bay's
85,600 residents make it 19th in population. Planning officials
are working toward a future population level of 250,000.ulation
is young. Mayor Ed Geier says, "The demographics are perfect
for economic stability. One third of our citizens are below the
age of 1 8, one third are working age, and one third are retirement
age. We have a dependable current work force, a guaranteed up
and coming labor supply, and retirees who make a great stabilizing
balance."Housing demand reflects the community's stability;
90 of dwelling permits issued since 1990 were single family units.
Palm Bay's family orientation extends to its leisure side. There
is a community center, 14 community parks, a nature center and
easy daytrip access to central Florida's famous entertainment
resorts. A family's interest in education is rewarded in Palm
Bay, too. |
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| The public school system is graded above average
for Florida, and numerous higher education opportunities exist,
beginning with Brevard Community College's Palm Bay Campus (BCC-PB),
Florida Tech, and the University of Central Florida, which shares
facilities with BCC PB. Assessing their labor force, land and
current industry mix assets, the city's leaders are proactively
planning for business growth they know will come. Bill Wilson,
board chair of the Palm Bay Area Chamber of Commerce notes that
national food, drug, office supply and fast food chains have discovered
Palm Bay. Mayor Geier says, "The handwriting is on the wall.
We've seen lots of spin off businesses in the service sector do
very well. The businesses that are expanding here know major industrial
businesses are going to come to Palm Bay once they find out about
us. "The city recently launched a sophisticated and aggressive
economic development program with the Economic Development Commission
of Florida's Space Coast and Brevard County as partners. Business
incentives include all that the state of Florida has to offer
plus Brevard County incentives, and in |
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