Grow Your Business in Okeechobee
You built your business here. We want to help you grow it here.
Whether you're adding employees, purchasing equipment, expanding your facility, looking for additional space or facing a challenge that could affect your business, OCEDC can help coordinate the resources you need.
For companies already operating in Okeechobee County, the advantages of expanding locally are clear: familiarity with the community, proximity to current operations, and an environment that supports long-term growth. Add in a pro-business climate, a reliable infrastructure network, and a deepening talent pool, and it becomes easy to see why so many local employers choose to expand here.
The Okeechobee County Economic Development Corporation (OCEDC) provides hands-on support tailored to existing legacy businesses, particularly those operating within the county’s targeted industry sectors. Whether you are expanding your footprint, adding employees, or introducing a new product line, the OCEDC team works alongside qualifying companies to help projects move forward efficiently. Acting as an extension of your leadership team, they assist with site evaluation, permitting coordination, workforce program connections, and access to applicable state and regional resources. Their focus is to support strategic growth that aligns with Okeechobee’s economic development priorities while minimizing obstacles and accelerating timelines.
As an established business, you know what you need to thrive, and the OCEDC is equipped to meet those needs. Their team can help secure workforce training grants, explore local or state incentives, and ensure your expansion aligns with utility and infrastructure capabilities. They also facilitate introductions to partners in education, permitting, and finance, so you’re never navigating growth alone. For companies taking on complex projects or facility buildouts, this support can be the difference between delay and momentum.
Whether you’re building new, expanding on existing property, or seeking a second location, the OCEDC can help you identify viable real estate options. By clicking here, you can explore a real estate database and interactive map tool, allowing you to filter by acreage, zoning, utilities, and other key criteria. This tool gives your team a head start on evaluating available properties, and the OCEDC is always available to help with deeper due diligence, site tours, and development coordination.
Growth is just one part of your long-term business journey. That’s why the OCEDC continues to support companies well after the ribbon-cutting. Whether it’s connecting you to talent pipelines, helping you market your expansion, or assisting with ongoing operational needs, the OCEDC remains invested in your success. In Okeechobee County, business expansion isn’t just encouraged. It’s actively supported with relationships, resources, and a shared vision for prosperity.
Planning an expansion? Start here.
Growing your business can involve a lot of moving pieces. Whether you are expanding your current facility, searching for a larger location, adding a new operation, purchasing equipment, or preparing to add jobs, OCEDC can help you navigate the process and connect you with the right resources.
Our team works with Okeechobee legacy businesses to help coordinate expansion projects, identify potential challenges early, and connect business owners with local, regional, and state partners. Depending on your project, we can assist with:
- Sites & Buildings – Identify available commercial and industrial properties, expansion sites, and buildings that meet your operational needs.
- Expansion Planning – Discuss your project, timeline, investment, job creation, and other needs to help identify available resources and next steps.
- Permitting & Development Coordination – Help connect you with the appropriate City or County departments and coordinate conversations related to zoning, permitting, development review, and other project requirements.
- Infrastructure & Utilities – Help evaluate water, sewer, electric, broadband, transportation access, and other infrastructure considerations that may impact your expansion.
- Financing & Capital Resources – Connect you with financing programs, small business resources, lenders, and other organizations that may support your investment.
Considering an expansion? Talk with OCEDC early in the process. An initial conversation can help identify resources, potential project considerations, and the right partners before significant investment decisions are made.
Need workers or training? We can help connect you to the right resources.
Finding, developing, and retaining a skilled workforce is essential to business growth. OCEDC works with Okeechobee employers and our workforce and education partners to help address hiring and training needs. Whether you need to fill current positions, prepare employees for new technology or equipment, or better understand the local labor market, we can help identify resources and make the right connections.
Depending on your needs, workforce assistance may include:
- Recruitment & Hiring Assistance – Connect with workforce partners who can help promote job openings, identify candidates, and support your recruitment efforts.
- Employee Training – Explore training opportunities for new and existing employees, including customized training, certifications, skills development, and programs that may help offset eligible training costs.
- CareerSource Heartland – Access employer services, recruitment assistance, workforce programs, hiring support, and available training resources.
- Indian River State College (IRSC) – Connect with education and training programs that can help develop the skills your business needs today and in the future.
- Hiring Events – Coordinate with workforce and community partners to promote hiring opportunities and connect employers with potential employees.
- Labor Market Information – Access data on occupations, wages, employment trends, workforce availability, and other information to support hiring, compensation, and expansion decisions.
Not sure which workforce program fits your needs? Start with OCEDC. Tell us about the positions, skills, or training needs you are facing, and we can help connect you with the appropriate workforce, education, and training partners.
Looking for capital or assistance? Start by exploring the resources available to support your business investment.
Access to capital can be an important part of starting, expanding, or investing in your business. OCEDC helps Okeechobee County businesses identify financing resources and potential incentive programs that may support eligible projects. Because funding programs and eligibility requirements vary, our team can help you understand available options and connect you with the appropriate local, regional, and state partners.
Depending on your business and project, resources may include:
- Local & State Incentives – Explore incentive programs that may be available for qualifying projects based on factors such as job creation, wages, capital investment, industry, and location.
- Grants & Business Assistance Programs – Identify grant opportunities and other assistance programs that may be available through local, state, or federal initiatives.
- Loans & Financing – Connect with traditional and alternative financing resources for needs such as real estate, equipment, working capital, and business expansion.
- State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) – Learn about Florida's SSBCI programs designed to increase access to capital for eligible small businesses through participating lenders and investment programs.
- Florida SBDC at IRSC – Access no-cost, confidential business consulting to help with financial analysis, business planning, access-to-capital strategies, loan preparation, and other financial considerations.
Considering a significant investment or expansion? Contact OCEDC early in the process. Some incentive programs require businesses to apply or receive approval before making certain commitments or beginning a project. We can help identify potential resources, review your project needs, and connect you with the appropriate organizations.
Need help navigating a project? OCEDC can help you make the right connections.
Whether you are expanding an existing facility, purchasing property, building a new location, or considering improvements to your current site, understanding development requirements early can help keep your project moving. OCEDC serves as a resource and connector for Okeechobee County businesses, helping coordinate conversations with the appropriate local departments, utility providers, and development partners.
Depending on your project, we can assist with:
- Zoning & Land Use – Help you identify the appropriate contacts and understand zoning, land-use, and development considerations for a potential site or expansion.
- Permitting Coordination – Connect you with City or County permitting and development staff and help facilitate conversations about project requirements, processes, and timelines.
- Property & Site Search – Assist with identifying available commercial or industrial sites and buildings that align with your location, acreage, facility, access, and infrastructure needs.
- Utilities & Infrastructure – Help coordinate discussions regarding water, sewer, electric, broadband, transportation access, and other infrastructure needs that may impact your project.
- Development Contacts – Connect you with the appropriate government agencies, utilities, and other partners involved in your project.
- Project Coordination – For business expansion and economic development projects, OCEDC can help bring the right partners to the table, identify potential issues early, and facilitate communication as your project moves forward.
Planning a facility expansion, relocation, or new development? Talk with OCEDC early. We can help you evaluate your needs, identify the appropriate resources and contacts, and better understand the steps involved before significant project decisions are made.
Need help solving a business challenge? You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Running and growing a business comes with challenges that extend well beyond day-to-day operations. Whether you are working through a growth decision, developing a new strategy, reaching new customers, preparing for a transition, or looking for specialized expertise, OCEDC can connect Okeechobee County businesses with experienced partners and resources designed to help.
Depending on your needs, business assistance may include:
- Florida SBDC at IRSC – Access no-cost, confidential consulting and specialized assistance in areas such as business planning, financial management, growth strategy, marketing, and access to capital.
- Marketing & Market Development – Connect with resources to help strengthen your marketing strategy, better understand your customers, evaluate new markets, and identify opportunities for growth.
- Strategic Planning – Access guidance to evaluate business goals, growth opportunities, operational challenges, and long-term strategies.
- Succession & Transition Planning – Connect with resources that can help business owners prepare for ownership transitions, succession, or the future sale of a business.
- Exporting & International Trade – Explore resources for businesses interested in reaching international markets, identifying export opportunities, and navigating the export process.
- Government Contracting & Procurement – Connect with programs that can help your business understand certification, procurement, and contracting opportunities with local, state, and federal government agencies.
- Technology & Innovation – Identify resources to help improve productivity, adopt new technologies, strengthen operations, and prepare your business for changing industry needs.
Not sure what type of assistance you need? Start with OCEDC. Tell us about the challenge or opportunity your business is facing, and we can help identify the right resource, make the connection, and help you determine your next step.
Need information to make a business decision? Start with the data.
Good decisions require reliable information. Whether you are considering an expansion, evaluating workforce availability, setting wages, exploring a new market, or preparing a business plan, OCEDC can help you access data and research specific to Okeechobee and the surrounding region. We draw from trusted local, state, and federal sources to help businesses better understand the market and make informed decisions.
Business data and research resources may include:
- Workforce & Labor Market – Explore labor force size, employment, unemployment, occupations, workforce availability, and talent trends.
- Wages & Occupations – Review wage and occupational data to support hiring, compensation, workforce planning, and expansion decisions.
- Demographics – Access information on population, age, income, education, households, and other characteristics of Okeechobee County and the surrounding market.
- Industry & Employment Trends – Understand Okeechobee’s industry composition, major employment sectors, business activity, and emerging opportunities.
- Market Data – Access information that can help evaluate customers, competitors, consumer characteristics, and potential market opportunities.
- Commuting & Labor Shed – Better understand where Okeechobee’s workforce lives and works, commuting patterns, and the broader regional labor pool available to employers.
- Economic Trends – Review indicators such as population growth, employment, wages, housing, business activity, and other trends affecting Okeechobee’s economy.
Need data for a specific project or business decision? Contact OCEDC. We can help identify the most relevant information, connect you with trusted data sources, and provide local context to help you better understand what the numbers mean for your business.
Success Stories
Nexair LLC concluded its 9-lot business expansion project in the Okeechobee County Airport Commerce Park. Over a three-year period, this project generated significant economic impact for Okeechobee County, resulting in the retention of more than 100 existing jobs, the creation of over 10 new positions, and more than $3 million in private capital investment within the local community.
