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Fort Pierce backs tax-exemption support for Toronto-based armored-vehicle maker; EDC projects nearly 300 jobs
Summary
Fort Pierce commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting Project Knight Rider, a proposed armored-vehicle manufacturer that would renovate industrial buildings at 3500 Enterprise Road, invest about $38 million in property and equipment and create roughly 294 jobs.
The Fort Pierce City Commission voted to express support for Project Knight Rider, a proposed U.S. manufacturing operation by a Toronto-headquartered conglomerate that would renovate and build factory space at 3500 Enterprise Road, install manufacturing equipment and create hundreds of jobs.
St. Lucie Economic Development Council representatives told the commission the company expects to invest about $18.75 million in property improvements and an additional $19.4 million in manufacturing equipment, and to create approximately 294 jobs by 2029 with an average wage just over $53,000. The EDC and county commissioners had already voted on companion resolutions and incentives; the city27s resolution (25-R15) expresses support for considering an ad-valorem tax exemption in a future ordinance, consistent with the city27s voter-approved tax-exemption authority.
The commission vote was unanimous. EDC staff said the company27s plan includes vehicle assembly and specialized manufacturing (paint, welding, assembly) and that public incentives would be performance-based, tied to investment and job creation and subject to future ordinance and annual compliance monitoring.
Why it matters: Project Knight Rider represents a large potential employer and a reuse of vacant industrial buildings in a southern industrial corridor. The commission27s resolution is an early step that allows staff and the EDC to proceed with incentive analyses and to prepare any exemption ordinance and performance agreements for commission consideration.
What27s next: The company must apply for an exemption once improvements appear on the tax roll (by March 1 in the year of assessment). Staff said a formal ordinance and compliance terms will return for commission adoption and subsequent monitoring if the company applies.
