West Palm Beach November 2026

N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 6 | W E S T PA L M B E A C H 5 COMMUNITY E conomic development is about more than attracting companies. It is about creating quality careers for local residents, supporting businesses already here, and building an economy that allows future generations to call the Palm Beaches home. During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches (BDB) helped facilitate 1,813 new and retained jobs, $381.75 million in capital investment and more than 1.27 million square feet of commercial activity. The BDB also conducted 200 business visits, providing assistance with workforce connections, facility needs, and other business challenges. These results represent paychecks for local residents, investment in local communities and opportunities for businesses of all sizes. Companies across a wide range of industries contributed to this activity. D-Wave Quantum selected Boca Raton for its U.S. headquarters, while Ampera advanced its plans in advanced nuclear technology. Longtime local employers, including Voloridge, continued investing in Palm Beach County. Other projects spanned aerospace, manufacturing, life sciences, financial services, and technology, reinforcing the importance of a diversified economy. The impact extends beyond the companies themselves. New jobs support local households, while corporate investment creates demand for restaurants, retailers, contractors and other small businesses. A stronger business base also contributes to the tax revenues that support public services. Preparing residents for these opportunities remained a priority. Through partnerships with employers, schools and universities, the BDB connected students and professionals with the private sector. Initiatives included the Wall Street South® Stock Pitch Competition, which engaged 21 public and private high schools; the Summer Intern Series, which engaged students from 50 colleges and universities; and Explore the Palm Beaches, a countywide career event that connected 1,000 high school students with local businesses. Florida Atlantic University's $20 million quantum computer, Palm Beach State College's new Quantum Innovation Center and workforce programs, and expanding industry partnerships are positioning local students and workers to participate in emerging technologies. These results reflect a coordinated effort between the Business Development Board and its public- and private-sector partners throughout Palm Beach County. From Boca Raton to Jupiter and west to the Glades Region, the mission remains the same: help local employers succeed, foster industries that create quality jobs, and ensure that economic opportunity reaches every generation of the Palm Beaches. - Submitted by Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County - - Photos provided by the Business Development Board - Economic Development in the PalmBeaches Photo Credit: Jason Nuttle A YEAR OF INVESTMENT, JOBS AND OPPORTUNITY Photo Credit: Discover the Palm Beaches