Business Development Board
310 Evernia St.
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Main: 561.835.1008
Fax: 561.835.1160
Agribusiness Industry Cluster
The Business Development Board and a group of "cluster" companies involved in agriculture participate by meeting with the Agriculture Enhancement Council to address issues of common concern in the agricultural community and to support local industry thereby, fostering the economic growth and development of agriculture in the county, while working to develop new agriculture opportunities and products.
For additional information regarding the Agribusiness Cluster contact:
Becky Magaw at 561.835.1008 x4108, or bmagaw@bdb.org
The Agribusiness Cluster
Agriculture and Agricultural Services - This cluster is comprised of: crop production, livestock, hunting and fishing and agriculture and forestry support services. It involves companies primarily engaged in performing soil preparation services, crop services, veterinary services, other animal services, farm labor and management services, and landscape and horticultural services.
Palm Beach County Agricultural Facts
With an estimated $988 million in total agricultural sales for 2008-09, Palm Beach County continues to lead all counties east of the Mississippi River in total agricultural sales and a total economic impact of $2 billion. Palm Beach County leads the nation in the production of sugarcane and fresh sweet corn. It leads the State in the production of rice, bell peppers, lettuce, radishes, Chinese vegetables, specialty leaf, cucumbers, eggplants, and herbs. Palm Beach County agricultural infrastructure includes:
• Three Major Sugar Manufacturing Mills
• One Sugar Refinery
• Twelve Fresh Vegetable Packinghouses
• 550 Horticultural Nurseries
• Major Hydroponic Growing Operation
• Rice Processing and Packaging Mill
• Agricultural By-Product Electrical Cogeneration Plant
• Major Sugar and Molasses Port Shipping Facility
• Equestrian Racetrack Training Facility
• World-Famous Polo, Dressage, and Jumpers Stadiums
• Largest county golf course revenue in the state at $664 million
• Largest county landscape and landscape maintenance annual revenue in the state at $450 million
• One of the largest county retail garden center annual sales in the state at $279 million
The 466,810 acres dedicated to agriculture represent 37% of the total land mass in the county. Palm Beach County is third in the State in nursery production. Employment in Agriculture leads the State in agricultural wages and salary with over $355 million for the fiscal year 2005-06.
Agricultural Economic Development Program
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners approved and funded the Agricultural Economic Development Program with the purpose of increasing the continued economic viability of the county's extensive agricultural industry. Representing over $2 billion in economic impact to the county's economic and encompassing approximately 37% of the total land in the county, commercial agriculture is one of our major core industries and employer. The Office of Agricultural Economic Development's main responsibility is to promote job creation, growth, and the continued profitability of this and related industries.
Assistance provided in:
-Agricultural or Related Business Development
-Grant Acquisitions
-New Crop Establishment
-Business Plans
-Agricultural Value-Added Opportunities
-Regulatory Process
-Compliance Marketing Programs
-General Business Assistance
