St. Lucie County is actively sowing the seeds of the future by creating a Research, Education and Development Park (Research Park) in Fort Pierce, Florida, currently comprised of 356 acres with future additions bringing the total acreage to over 1,650 acres.

In 2005, the St. Lucie Board of County Commissioners and the University of Florida collectively created this agriculturally and bio-technologically focused Research Park on Florida’s east coast. Through the cooperative efforts of the School Board of St. Lucie County and the University of Florida, plans are advancing for the inclusion of the additional property.

Construction will begin soon on the Sunshine Kitchen. The Sunshine Kitchen is planned to create a professionally equipped, commercial kitchen and research lab designed to help entrepreneurs in the development of commercially viable food ventures.