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Business Development Board urges Greenacres to create shovel‑ready sites, streamline permitting and pursue density
Summary
Kelly Smallridge, CEO of the county Business Development Board, told Greenacres councilmembers the city can attract employers by preparing shovel‑ready sites, allowing moderate height/density, streamlining permitting, partnering on upskilling and marketing the bilingual workforce.
Kelly Smallridge, chief executive of the county Business Development Board, presented an economic development overview focused on opportunities for Greenacres and the broader Palm Beach County market.
Smallridge said Greenacres (estimated population she cited at roughly 43,000–45,000) has a younger, diverse workforce, a high rate of outbound commuting and under‑represented bachelor’s‑degree attainment — characteristics she called assets if the city prepares the right product for investors. “You already have a skilled workforce,” she said, and urged the city to convert under‑zoned strip centers into denser, mixed‑use nodes and to create shovel‑ready property to accelerate private investment.
She outlined industries ripe for local growth — logistics and distribution, life sciences and R&D, aviation/aerospace supply chain, and financial/tech headquarters — and said employers prioritize walkability, modern infrastructure and quick entitlement/permitting timelines. “Speed to market is pretty critical,” Smallridge said, recommending turnaround times of months rather than years.
Her recommendations to the council included: inventorying and marketing shovel‑ready parcels; considering modest increases in allowable height and density in targeted corridors; streamlining permitting; strengthening partnerships with Palm Beach State College and CareerSource for upskilling; and offering a clear, pro‑business message on the city website and to prospective investors.
Councilmembers thanked Smallridge and discussed following up in a budget workshop and future roundtables. Smallridge offered the board’s assistance convening developers and investors to explore opportunities for Greenacres.
