Palm Beach County FY25 Construction Forecast: A Recap of New Opportunities and Insights

On October 24, 2024, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County hosted the Palm Beach County Government’s FY25 Construction Forecast event, an exclusive preview of the county’s construction and development plans for the upcoming fiscal year and beyond. This event offered local business owners, contractors, and industry professionals a valuable opportunity to hear directly from influential leaders across multiple county departments, each managing essential public sector initiatives.

Key Takeaways

The event centered on critical development areas, with department heads outlining significant projects that support the county’s growth, sustainability, and economic goals.

1. In-Depth Forecasts on Upcoming Projects

Attendees gained an overview of the county’s major infrastructure projects, including public works, environmental management, airport expansions, and water utilities. Senior officials provided detailed project scopes, anticipated timelines, and insights into available funding, helping businesses align their efforts with county needs for 2025 and beyond.

2. Business and Economic Opportunities

This event emphasized economic opportunities for local businesses, particularly small and minority-owned enterprises, to contribute to these impactful projects. Attendees learned how to participate in county procurement processes and received guidance on how to engage with these new opportunities.

3. Networking with County Decision-Makers

The Q&A session allowed attendees to engage directly with department leaders, facilitating meaningful connections that can help expand their business footprint within Palm Beach County’s construction and development sectors.

Featured Speakers and Presentations

This event’s lineup of county leaders brought essential insights into their respective departments’ upcoming projects. We’ve provided links to each speaker’s presentation for your reference:

• Tonya Davis Johnson – OEBO Program Overview
• Isamí Ayala-Collazo – Facilities Development & Operations Overview
• Michael Stahl – Environmental Resources Management Overview
• Holly B. Knight – Engineering and Public Works Presentation
• Ali Bayat – Water Utilities Overview
• Laura Beebe and Gary M. Sypek – Airport Operations Overview

Additional Resources and Contacts

For those interested in exploring further resources or getting in touch with county departments, here are some key references provided at the event:

• Palm Beach County Business Opportunities (Current RFPs and IFBs): www.pbcgov.org/businessopportunities
• Palm Beach County Engineering Website: www.pbcgov.org/engineering
• OEBO (Office of Equal Business Opportunity): www.pbcgov.org/oebo
• CCNA Certification: www.pbcgov.org/engineering/roadwayproduction/pages/CCNA.aspx
• Construction Contract Bid (IFB) Results: www.pbcgov.org/engineering/roadwayproduction/pages/bid_documents.aspx
• Engineering Department Annual Contracts: www.pbcgov.org/engineering/roadwayproduction/pages/CCNA.aspx

Contact: Holly Knight, Contracts Manager – hknight@pbcgov.org

Looking Ahead

The FY25 Construction Forecast event provided a collaborative platform for local businesses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the county’s vision for growth. As Palm Beach County moves forward with these transformative projects, we encourage businesses to stay engaged, leverage the connections made during this event, and explore the many opportunities presented.

Final Thoughts

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this critical session. For those who missed the event, stay tuned for upcoming events where you can connect with leaders, explore opportunities, and contribute to the continued development of Palm Beach County’s vibrant economy.