Business & Commerce

A partner to them all is the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches. Founded in 1913, the chamber’s goal remains unchanged: to strengthen Palm Beach County’s business community by collaborating with partners such as the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County (BDB); municipal, county and state governments; and leading county and regional business organizations.

“Our strong entrepreneurial ecosystem supports startups and earlystage businesses, turning fresh ideas into action, and building new models for success,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.

Numerous Business Advantages

Education for Tomorrow

A well-educated, accomplished workforce is one of Palm Beach County’s top business advantages. The region’s schools, colleges and universities have aligned their programs to meet the workforce needs of the region. Palm Beach State College has infused its programs with leading-edge technology, and educators are working with industry leaders to adapt curriculum to serve employment needs in an evolving marketplace. Faith-based Palm Beach Atlantic University’s undergraduate and graduate academic offerings are respected by top employers and elite graduate institutions.

“Education” goes beyond the classroom. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is an award-winning, community-based science center and anchor institution for informal science learning. With 100 hands-on exhibits and interactive programs and partnerships with local schools and nonprofits, Cox ensures higher scientific literacy among teachers and students. It also works with area universities and research institutions to promote the region’s scientific advances—and help prepare the local workforce for jobs in science and technology, engineering and math-related fields. In 2022, the center earned the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency rating on GuideStar and a perfect Charity Navigator score.

Business-Friendly

Companies relocating or expanding here benefit from Florida’s business-friendly regulatory climate, as well as no state income tax and low corporate tax structure. Critical tax, financial and workforce training benefits are available to eligible companies, including those in the county’s opportunity zones, foreign trade zones and enterprise zones.

In Palm Beach County, we nurture tomorrow’s businesses. Beyond its commitment to delivering America’s cleanest, most affordable and most reliable energy, FPL, a subsidiary of Juno Beach-based NextEra Energy, supports the region’s brightest upand-coming talent. Its 35 Mules innovation hub is moving the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem forward and helping businesses grow and remain here in the Palm Beaches.

Well-Connected

Palm Beach County is connected to the region, the nation and the world. From West Palm Beach—the county’s business and governmental hub—drivers can be in Miami in 90 minutes and Orlando in just over two hours. That central location opens Palm Beach County employers to 6.13 million residents across the South Florida region.

Our connections are growing. Brightline, a convenient high-speed express rail service, connects downtown West Palm Beach to downtown Fort Lauderdale and downtown Miami. New stations include Boca Raton and Aventura, with rail service north to Orlando well under construction. The “Brightline+” door-to-door mobility solution provides first and last mile connections via a private Tesla, a shared van or even an electric golf cart. Meanwhile, the Tri-Rail commuter train follows the I-95 corridor from West Palm Beach past Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to Miami International Airport.

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) opens the skies to the county and region. Located in West Palm Beach, the award-winning airport serves dozens of U.S. and international markets—including JetBlue service direct to Los Angeles.

The Port of Palm Beach is the fourth-busiest container port in Florida and a key shipment point for bulk sugar, molasses, cement, utility fuels, water, produce and break bulk cargo. The Florida East Coast Railway Company (FEC) services the docks and piers, and a Foreign Trade Zone has been in operation at the port since 1987.

A Dynamic City

In the heart of the county is West Palm Beach. This vibrant city features an appealing work-live-play lifestyle centered in the historic Clematis Street district and The Square, an entertainment and shopping destination.

Branded “Wall Street South” several years ago, the city’s Flagler Financial District is a banking and financial services hub. Today, hedge funds, private equity firms and other BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) companies call the city and region home.

West Palm Beach’s thriving arts and cultural environment is centered around the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. Entering in its 31st year, the premier performing arts venue offers a diverse lineup of entertainment and enriching arts education programming for students of all ages. A recent expansion brought to life a breathtaking new façade, urban park