Indian River County – Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere – strikes a perfect balance between business and pleasure. Those who live, work or visit Florida’s Central East Coast experience a safe and affordable community that’s rich in history and natural resources. Year-round mild temperatures and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide a variety of outdoor activities. The county was recently awarded a Bronze-level recognition as a Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists.
Corporate executives often locate their companies to this area because of their positive vacation experience, plus many have winter homes in Vero Beach. Located midway between West Palm Beach and Cape Canaveral, Indian River County is within three hours of over 19 million consumers, or 90% of Florida’s population, with easy access to Latin markets.
RELOCATIONS/EXPANSIONS
The partners at Kessel Medical, a medical device manufacturer, made the decision to relocate from the traffic-burdened Atlanta area to Vero Beach for a less hectic environment. Marotech, a Canadian manufacturer, opened its second location in Vero Beach with plans to hire ten new workers. His expansion into the county will better serve his customers in the U.S. and Latin America. Diamond Drinks, a Pennsylvania-based fruit juice bottling firm, also opened a second location in Indian River County to better serve his clients in the Southeast U.S.
Advanced industries, from aviation and aerospace to emerging tech and healthcare, benefit from a low cost of doing business and some of the lowest taxes in the nation. Commute times within the county are no more than 30 minutes, and an hour or less within the tri-county region, with none of the urban sprawl, traffic or congestion found elsewhere.
COST COMPETITVE LOCATION
You’ll find that Indian River County is also a cost-competitive place to locate or expand your business. The Indian River Chamber participates in the national Cost of Living survey, comparing a variety of cost factors with 300 other markets throughout the U.S. Year-after-year, the Vero Beach-Sebastian area cost-of-living index is typically on par, or slightly lower, than the national average.
The county offers competitive property tax rates, local incentives, and no state income tax. The county’s Local Jobs Grant program provides a per job dollar award to eligible firms, based on the wages paid to new hires. Tax abatement is also available to those that meet eligibility criteria.
. . . WITH LOTS OF LAND AND INTERSTATE ACCESS
Indian River County, FL has hundreds of acres of low-cost land available for commercial or industrial development, much of it located near I-95, a major north-south transportation route along the east coast – perfect for warehouse/distribution operations. A new interchange on I-95 is now under construction in the southern portion of Indian River County. Properties adjacent to the new interchange are designated for industrial use. Project completion is estimated for Summer 2027.
Air transportation in the area is served by two general aviation airports which primarily cater to private and corporate aircraft. Both airports have plenty of airside and non-aviation land available for future development.
Sebastian Municipal Airport is home to Whelen Aerospace Technologies, a global leader in after-market high-end lighting products for the aerospace industry. Skydive Sebastian also operates out of the Sebastian Airport, for those who love the thrill of jumping out of airplanes!
Vero Beach Regional Airport is home to Piper Aircraft, an internationally recognized manufacturer of small personal aircraft. Skyborne Airline Academy at the Vero Airport partners with United Airlines and Delta Airlines to provide pilot training in the classroom, using simulators and via in-flight instruction. Breeze Airways offers flights out of Vero’s airport to numerous destinations in the Northeast, including Hartford, CT, Norfolk, VA, Providence, RI, and Westchester/White Plains, NY.
OUTDOOR RECREATION ABOUNDS
You can enjoy outdoor recreation year-round in Indian River County. From paddleboarding and kayaking on the Indian River Lagoon, to skydiving and pickleball or just a casual beach walk – there is always time to enjoy the area’s temperate climate. Manatees are often spotted at Round Island Park off A1A on the barrier island, while dolphins like to frolic in the Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. You might even be lucky enough to see baby sea turtle hatchlings making their way from their nest in the sand dune to the ocean. Or, if fishing is your sport, Blue Cypress Lake near Fellsmere has some of the best bass fishing around!
ACTIVE CULTURAL SCENE
Vero Beach has a first-class cultural scene, too, with many art galleries in downtown Vero and beachside. The city also hosts a nationally recognized juried art show each spring, Under the Oaks, with hundreds of visitors. The Vero Beach Museum of Art curates national and international showings, while Riverside Theatre offers Broadway-produced stage shows to entertain locals and visitors alike.
Because location is central to your company’s success, Indian River County isn’t just where you want to be – it’s central to where you and your business ought to be. For more information on locating your company to Indian River County, Florida, contact Helene Caseltine, Economic Development Director with the Indian River Chamber of Commerce, at 772-567-3491 or helenec@indianrivered.com. Visit their website at www.indianrivered.com.
