The St. Lucie County Commission unanimously approved a window manufacturing facility that is expected to bring 1,000 jobs by its fifth year of operation.
So-called Project Orchid involves a yet-unnamed international company located in South America and headquartered in Miami which requested to develop an approximately 1.4-million-square-foot facility that would include a 76,000-square-foot metal foundry.
The facility is expected to receive a $170 million investment, in addition to $140 million for equipment.
The property is located west of North Rock Road, south of North Rock Road extension and north of the Relief Canal just north of the county jail.
The company serves high-end residential and commercial construction markets in Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States. According to an Economic Development Council executive summary, the company has demand in the southeast of the United States, and plans to expand its clientele base on the west coast.
Four public hearings related to the project took place on May 5. Two zoning districts were on the existing property: one industrial heavy and another industrial light. The rezoning to industrial heavy was necessary to increase building height for 6 percent of the building to exceed the 60-foot height limitation.
The area of rezoning is 20.25 acres and will be home to the foundry that will melt metal to be used for the windows. Due to commissioners’ concerns about noise and environmental issues related to the foundry, conditions for approval include a 90-day baseline for air quality monitoring prior to operation, and an agreement that EPA and FDEP reports would be forwarded to the county for examination whenever the reports were issued.
“I want to ensure that we’re keeping our residents safe,” said Chair Jamie Fowler at the commission’s May 5 meeting. “I definitely want to address the environmental side.”
Commissioners and the public were told that everything is enclosed in the building, and that noticeable odors and visible emissions were not expected.
More than 1,000 jobs over a five-year period are expected, with a median starting salary of $28.50 per hour. A hundred new full-time employees are expected in the first year, with 200 each in years two and three, 250 in year four, and 255 in year five. During the first year there will be one shift, but once the jobs increase to 1,000, the facility will operate 24/7.
The starting salaries are 116 percent of SLC 2026 average salaries.
The operation will have an estimated annual payroll of $53 million, and produce $1 million-plus in annual ad valorem taxes.
Community outreach was conducted in March, starting with small-group meetings with neighboring landowners, followed by meeting notices being sent to those beyond the required 1,000-foot radius, and a general community meeting. Just one person spoke during the public hearings, and he was in favor of the project.
“I think this looks good. I think this is a good industry to come in,” said Justin Harrison, adding that his only concerns about traffic were allayed during the meeting.
The site is expected to add 736 vehicles to morning peak-hour trips and 910 vehicles to afternoon peak-hour trips.
St. Lucie County was chosen because of its available industrially zoned land, access to workforce and training programs, strong infrastructure and utilities, proximity to major markets, and a supportive economic development environment. An 18- to 24-month construction phase is expected.
“I’m in support of it,” said Commissioner James Clasby, citing the “sheer number of jobs” and the wages that he says exceed those paid of local teachers.
“I think this is the first project of this size as far as amount of jobs. I look forward to this being approved and the building is absolutely beautiful,” said Commissioner Erin Lowry.
Commissioner Cathy Townsend was absent at the May 5 meeting.