Jim Kuretski, Mayor, Town of Jupiter

Invest: met with Jim Kuretski, mayor of the Town of Jupiter, to discuss the town’s milestones, dedication to sustainability, and commitment to preserving its unique charm. “Our focus on ecotourism has been key to this success,” he said.

Could you share some of the most significant milestones and achievements for Jupiter over the last 12 to 18 months?
Before I get into specifics, let me provide a quick overview of Jupiter. As you may know from speaking with other mayors and municipal leaders, every town has its own unique identity. Here in Jupiter, we like to refer to ourselves as “Uniquely Jupiter” because we’ve always approached things differently.
This year is especially significant for us, as we’re celebrating our 100th year as a municipality. The Town of Jupiter was officially incorporated on February 9, 1925, and we’re planning a remarkable celebration to honor our centennial.
Our residents enjoy an extremely high quality of life, something we’re incredibly proud of. We conduct a resident survey every two years — this has been a consistent practice for nearly two decades — and we use a national benchmarking firm to compare our performance with other municipalities across the state and the nation.
For example, Jupiter ranked 6th out of 326 areas nationwide and 1st out of 25 in Florida as a place people want to visit. Similarly, for quality of life, we ranked 13th out of 389 municipalities in the country and 4th out of 25 in Florida. These rankings reflect our commitment to preserving the town’s charm and natural beauty, as well as offering a vibrant lifestyle.
Our focus on ecotourism has been key to this success. With an abundance of water resources, a historic lighthouse, and preserved lands, we’ve prioritized protecting our natural environment even during periods of rapid growth. For example, during our building boom, we set aside numerous preserved properties, ensuring a balance between development and conservation.
Jupiter has also made strides in emergency preparedness. A few years ago, we weren’t highly rated in this area, but today, we’re ranked 5th out of 320 municipalities nationwide and 2nd out of 24 in Florida. It’s a testament to our community’s commitment to safety and readiness.
Economically, our residents rate the quality and variety of businesses in Jupiter highly. For instance, we ranked 19th out of 320 nationwide for the quality of businesses and 4th out of 24 in Florida for the variety of business and service establishments.
Looking ahead, we remain focused on our economic development opportunities. Nearly two decades ago, we landed Scripps Research Institute, which served as an anchor for Palm Beach County’s bioscience cluster. Max Planck soon followed, and we’ve since supported over two dozen smaller bioscience businesses. This has positioned Jupiter as a hub for innovation while maintaining our small-town charm.
We feel truly blessed by the unique community, environment, and resources we have here in Jupiter.

Can you elaborate on how the town supports these industries in terms of infrastructure, resources, and workforce development?
Many bioscience businesses that have come here were initially attracted by the high quality of life in Jupiter. That’s how we landed Scripps Research Institute, and it’s a recurring theme—people want to live and work in a place that offers a great environment.
When we brought Scripps to Jupiter, we committed to reserving land specifically for bioscience development. Over time, several buildings were constructed to house businesses in this field. Currently, we have two large industrial parcels — each about 60 acres — situated along Indiantown Road. These properties have been prepared for development for years, and we’re optimistic about their potential to host significant bioscience projects.
While I can’t reveal too much, I can say there’s been interest in these parcels from parties considering long-term development. We’ve also worked on ensuring our comprehensive plan and zoning regulations encourage these types of developments.
It’s exciting to see how Jupiter continues to grow as a hub for bioscience innovation while preserving its quality of life.

Can you expand on your town’s green initiatives and how they align with Jupiter’s broader vision?
Several years ago, we realized we had focused extensively on preserving land but had overlooked our waterways. That changed when we learned that Biscayne Bay in Miami-Dade County had lost all its seagrass — an alarming situation for such a valuable resource.
Inspired to take action, we began prioritizing the health of our water resources. We’ve undertaken various projects to preserve seagrass beds and ensure the long-term sustainability of our waterways. For example, we’ve constructed numerous kayak launches, which have become popular among residents and visitors exploring our scenic areas.
One of our most cherished resources is the Loxahatchee River, a federally designated Wild and Scenic River that flows through Jupiter and out to the ocean. This natural treasure is a cornerstone of our ecotourism efforts, alongside our preserved lands, which feature walkways and trails for visitors to enjoy.
A resident-driven project that we’re particularly proud of is the “Passport to Jupiter” program. Initially launched as a booklet highlighting 75 unique and historic locations in the town, it has since evolved into an app. This initiative has received statewide recognition and even won the Florida League of Cities Public Engagement Award. It’s a great way for residents and visitors to explore all that Jupiter has to offer while deepening their appreciation for the town’s heritage.

How has Jupiter navigated market changes, and what strategies do you have in place to address potential challenges?
Jupiter has been fortunate in many ways, but we’ve also been strategic in how we’ve approached challenges over the years. During our period of rapid growth, we were very selective about the types of developments we allowed. We had a clear vision for the town and were deliberate in ensuring any new projects aligned with that vision. For instance, we preserved 128 acres for bioscience development, demonstrating our commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining balance.
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic were a defining moment. There was significant uncertainty, and our town took immediate steps to support our community. For example, we eliminated the business license fee, which provided relief to our small businesses. We also waived water bills for two months to help ease the financial burden. While these were modest actions, they reflected our commitment to supporting residents and businesses during uncertain times.
Inflation has been another challenge, but we’ve worked hard to manage the cost of government efficiently. As a result, Jupiter has the lowest municipal tax rate in northern Palm Beach County — 24% lower than the next closest municipality. This helps residents and businesses alike by keeping living and operating costs more manageable. Overall, our strategy has always been to stay true to our vision for Jupiter while being flexible and responsive to challenges as they arise.

How do you balance efforts to revitalize neighborhoods to increase property values with ensuring affordability and sustainable growth?
Housing is a significant challenge, and we’ve taken a proactive approach over the years. For example, during the development of Abacoa, a major planned community, we ensured there was a diverse mix of housing types — from townhomes to single-family homes — to cater to different needs and income levels. However, rising land prices have made affordability increasingly difficult. Even homes that were considered affordable just a few years ago are now out of reach for many residents. This is a trend we’ve seen across the state and beyond, and it’s largely driven by demand from people relocating to Florida.
While we can’t control land costs, we’re exploring ways to address affordability through partnerships and innovative approaches. For instance, we’ve long recognized the importance of transportation in addressing affordability. Many residents commute from more affordable areas like St. Lucie County. To support this, we’ve partnered with the state and local transportation agencies to introduce commuter bus services that connect these communities to Jupiter and beyond.
In addition, our Charter Neighborhood Program has been instrumental in revitalizing some of the town’s oldest neighborhoods. This program, which has been in place for over 25 years, involves working directly with residents to identify and address unique needs in their communities. For example, in neighborhoods prone to flooding, we’ve upgraded stormwater systems. In others, we’ve added sidewalks and parks to enhance livability. A recent highlight was the opening of a new park in one of these neighborhoods, which brought residents together to celebrate and strengthen the community bond. By investing in existing neighborhoods, we’re not only preserving affordable housing options but also ensuring every part of Jupiter remains a desirable place to live.

What opportunities do you see for Jupiter to continue establishing itself as a hub for innovation while maintaining its small-town charm and quality of life?
The key is staying true to our vision while continuing to invest in our people, resources, and infrastructure. Jupiter’s charm lies in its balance — the balance between innovation and preservation, growth and community. Looking ahead, we’re focusing on several priorities. Many of our parks and community spaces were built during periods of rapid growth. We’re now focused on upgrading these facilities to ensure they remain vibrant, accessible, and welcoming for future generations.
Jupiter Medical Center also plays a significant role in our community. As a top-rated nonprofit hospital, it’s an anchor for healthcare in the region. The center has been expanding its facilities, including a state-of-the-art cancer center, which provides exceptional care to our residents. Beyond the hospital, the professionals who work there are deeply engaged in the community. For instance, many of them contribute to programs like My Clinic, which offers medical care to individuals without insurance. This level of volunteerism and community involvement is part of what makes Jupiter so special.
At the same time, we’re continuing to foster innovation through our bioscience initiatives. The industrial parcels I mentioned earlier are a key part of this strategy. We’re committed to ensuring that new developments align with our values and contribute to the town’s long-term prosperity. Preserving history and natural resources remains a cornerstone of our efforts. From the historic Jupiter Lighthouse to archaeological sites like Suni Sands, we are dedicated to honoring our past while embracing the future.
Ultimately, what makes Jupiter unique is its people. The sense of community here is unmatched, with residents, businesses, and organizations coming together to support one another. That’s what gives me confidence as we move forward — knowing that we’re all working together to maintain the small-town charm and exceptional quality of life that define Jupiter.

What legacy do you hope to leave for future generations?
For me, it’s about ensuring that Jupiter remains a place where families can thrive, where our history and natural beauty are preserved, and where our residents continue to enjoy an exceptional quality of life. I want my grandchildren — and all future generations — to grow up in a Jupiter that’s as vibrant, welcoming, and unique as it is today. It’s about leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful stewardship, community pride, and forward-thinking leadership.
We’re blessed to celebrate 100 years as a town, and I’m excited to see what the next century holds for Jupiter.