Discover the boundless business opportunities found in St. Lucie County, one of the nation’s best places to grow. Here, growth, innovation and inspiration are driven by the unsurpassed lifestyle of this peaceful paradise, found at the heart of Southeast Florida’s acclaimed Treasure Coast.

Strategically located, St. Lucie is in the middle of Florida’s largest business centers. Just 120 miles north of Miami, 60 miles north of West Palm Beach, 120 miles southeast of Orlando and 225 miles south of Jacksonville—yet a world away in spirit. The county features tremendous growth, a young and educated workforce, established infrastructure and a pro-business government. St. Lucie County’s 572 square miles contain two major cities, Fort Pierce in the north and Port St. Lucie in the south. Beautiful Hutchinson Island and several hometown style development communities also contribute to this unique business environment.

In 2005, St. Lucie County’s population was 240,039 and was the 2nd fastest growing county in Florida and the 13th fastest growing in the nation. The county experienced a 6.3 percent population increase between 2004 and 2005, was named a top 10 “boomtown” by Inc. magazine in 2006 and ranked the city of Port St. Lucie among “America’s Top Performing Cities” for 2005 job growth by the Milken Institute. All signs suggest that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future. As the population persists in its great growth, St. Lucie will become an even better place to do business and has positioned some economic sectors for even higher levels of success.

Alongside St. Lucie County’s sophisticated research centers and bold business opportunities lies an unspoiled natural environment ideal for exploration.

Visitors from around the globe enjoy the Manatee Observation and Education Center in Fort Pierce, where manatees can be seen any time of the year, especially in the winter. The center also offers visitors several exhibits and workshops, as well as boat tours of the picturesque Indian River Lagoon. Aside from learning about the birds, fish, dolphins and manatees that may be seen on this one hour tour, visitors will discover the lagoon’s ecology and its history.

Locals and guests alike also enjoy learning about the Indian River Lagoon and its habitat at the St. Lucie County Marine Center, which features the Smithsonian Marine Ecosystems Exhibit. The center opened in 2001, and it boasts six living exhibits, each featuring a unique marine ecosystem.

Nature lovers will appreciate over 7,000 acres of environmentally protected lands available for nature viewing and hiking seven days a week. Some even offer cycling, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. The Oxbow is but one example of our many gems. At the Oxbow you have 3 miles of trails, a canoe dock with available tours, boardwalks, a nature center and observation towers.

Another unforgettable experience awaits at Frederick Douglass Memorial Park on South Hutchinson Island, where visitors can take advantage of one of the few sites in the state where beach horseback riding is allowed.

Perhaps St. Lucie County’s most beloved natural amenity is our more than 20 miles of unspoiled emerald beaches. Uncrowded public access points all along the coast make it easy to swim, bask, surf fish, look for shells or read a paperback to the sound of gently lapping waves.

From the subtleties of literature to the bat-cracking excitement of professional baseball, St. Lucie County presents a broad range of cultural and sports experiences.

Fort Pierce also was home to a literary giant and various renowned artists. Acclaimed African-American author Zora Neale Hurston lived out the final years of her life here. Following the Dust Track Trail will give you a glimpse of her time with us. Renowned artist A. E. “Beanie” Backus’ home and studio currently serve as Fort Pierce’s Main Street offices. A gallery located near his home and studio give Backus fans an opportunity to enjoy his art. Also featured at the A. E. Backus Gallery are several works by the highly acclaimed Highwaymen.

Catch a ballet, concert or an opera at the historic Sunrise Theatre in downtown Fort Pierce. Built in 1923, this 1,200- seat theatre has undergone substantial renovation. Today, it is full of life again, featuring such singers as Dionne Warwick, such comedians as Brett Butler, the opera La Bohиme and the ballet of Gisselle.

Golfers delight in the area’s acclaimed courses year round. Golf Digest magazine recently ranked Fort Pierce the eighth best place in Florida for golfers to live. The area boasts 12 public and semiprivate courses. The PGA Golf Club and Village in Port St. Lucie is the first PGA facility open to the public and the most advanced golf and practice center in the country. This facility alone features a learning center, educational center, historical center and golf club along with 72 holes of golf. The 35-acre learning center, which Golf World says, “might be the best practice facility in the world,” has driving ranges, putting greens, chipping areas and nine different types of bunkers. Other courses nearby include Ballantrae, Fairwinds, Gator Trace, Club Med Resort, St. James, Indian Hills and the Saints of Port St. Lucie, just to name a few. All of this provides you ample opportunities to tee up in our tropical paradise.

Baseball fans cry, “Take me out to the ball game,” in St. Lucie County, the spring training home of the New York Mets. When spring training is over, you can catch the St. Lucie Mets battling other local teams at our state-of-the-art facility, Tradition Field.

Anglers come from the world over to cast themselves into offshore fishing from charters at the Fort Pierce City Marina, Harbortown Marina and other local marinas. Whether it’s fishing, diving for sunken Spanish galleons, snorkeling or just sightseeing, there is a perfect charter for every occasion.

The unique location of St. Lucie County provides residents and visitors easy accessibility to activities, events and attractions that can’t be duplicated elsewhere. The climate is excellent with an average temperature range of 63 to 83 degrees, making it a year round destination for indoor or outdoor activities.

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