Maria Mitchell, Mayor, City of Miami Springs

In an interview with Invest:, Miami Springs Mayor Maria Mitchell discussed the city’s economic growth, strategic development, and commitment to sustainability while maintaining its small-town charm. “Miami Springs is a truly unique and charming city, and because of our amazing location in the very heart of growing Miami-Dade County, we are a highly desirable place to live and do business,” she said.

What have been the most significant milestones or achievements for Miami Springs under your leadership?

These past few years have been very exciting for our city, I am so proud of all we have accomplished in recent years through the collective effort of our city council, our city employees, our residents, and our businesses. We have not wavered in continuing to increase our investment in our public safety, recreation, and city services. Our police force has expanded every year during my time in office and our residents enjoy one of the safest communities in South Florida. Just this year we opened a Passport Acceptance Facility for both residents and visitors. We’ve also invested heavily in improving our infrastructure and have had several major roadway and stormwater projects recently completed or underway. Miami Springs is a beautiful, tree-lined pedestrian-friendly city. Indeed, despite our compact three square mile size, we have over 15 miles of pedestrian/bike paths threaded throughout the city, and with every new roadway infrastructure project we embark on we include, whenever possible, more pedestrian/bike paths. Last year we completed a $4.5 million investment in re-sodding of our historic, beautiful public golf course to ensure its premier-level status and its rating as the best public golf course in Miami-Dade County. We created a Business and Economic Development Task Force that provided recommendations to the city council on improving our business areas and attracting new businesses to our city. We are rezoning our Southeast Springs area to attract more business development to a location in the very center of the County. We recently completed a master parking study to improve parking in our downtown commercial business area and, by the way, we are one of the very few cities that still has free parking! Our new Adult Community Center is a beautiful and versatile facility and, since its opening, we’ve seen a doubling in the number of seniors, ages 60 and over, that participate in the activities at the center. We are in the process of major renovation and expansion of the Veterans Memorial, and it will be a showcase monument to commemorate the men and women who serve our Country.

How would you describe the economic and business climate in Miami Springs, and how has it evolved with the increased attention?
Miami-Dade County has experienced huge growth as a hub for tech, business, and international trade. Businesses looking for a strategic, central location — away from downtown yet offering convenience and a desirable setting — have shown increased interest in Miami Springs. Miami Springs in the past decade has also become highly desirable for young professionals looking for an amazing hometown with beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, and top-notch schools and recreation to raise their young families, while still being 20 minutes from the downtown or Brickell area. Miami Springs has about 500 businesses but remains, at its core, a historic residential community. In 2026, we’ll celebrate our centennial, a rare milestone in Miami-Dade, where most cities are much younger. Being a 100-year-old city means we’ve weathered economic shifts and remained stable and highly desirable. Businesses and young professionals are increasingly recognizing our strategic location and unmatched hometown appeal. That balance has fueled our continually increasing appeal.

How does the city balance economic development while maintaining its small-town charm?

For years, Miami Springs resisted expansion because some of our long-time residents wanted to preserve the small-town feel. But in today’s world, we know that standing still isn’t an option and our demographics have changed to include more young professionals and business owners. We have shown that we can both preserve our amazing small-town charm, while strategically encouraging investment and expansion in commercial areas. Miami Springs maintains its hometown feel with a walkable downtown lined with unique restaurants and shops. At its center is a circle park with a gazebo, not the type of city you would expect to find in the very center of Miami-Dade County! Though we’re only three- square miles, we’ve prioritized walkability, with over 15 miles of tree-lined bike and pedestrian paths. The creation of our Business and Economic Development Task Force provided key recommendations that we are in the process of implementing. 

One focus area has been rezoning parts of what we are calling “Southeast Springs,” a prime location bordering the airport with direct access to major expressways. A great example of attracting economic development is the Miami Realtors Association, which recently built its stunning global headquarters in Southeast Springs. This kind of commercial investment aligns with our strategic vision. This past year, we have been partnering with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide our businesses with information and tools to promote themselves locally and nationally. 

It’s important to note that while we’re the closest city to Miami International Airport, flight paths go east and west and do not go over Miami Springs. That means we benefit from proximity without the aircraft noise, which is a unique advantage and one that other cities do not have.

Given Miami Springs’ proximity to Miami International Airport and major business hubs, what role does the city play in the larger regional economy?

We play a crucial role, particularly in tourism and small business development. Just yesterday, we hosted a small business tourism summit with the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and our Rotary Club to highlight our impact on the county’s economy.

For a city of just three square miles, we have over 20 hotels, more per square mile than any other Miami-Dade municipality, except perhaps Miami Beach. About 40% of our hotel guests are taking cruises at PortMiami, staying in Miami Springs before or after their cruises, making us a key player in the region’s tourism industry. The new Freedom Park Soccer Village and Stadium is being built less than a mile from our city, so our hotels, restaurants, and shops are ideally situated for the new opportunities this project will bring. 

Beyond tourism, our location as I’ve mentioned, makes Miami Springs attractive for businesses and professionals. As corporations move into Miami-Dade, many struggle to be near desirable residential areas for employees. We offer an amazing hometown lifestyle with beautiful single-family homes, a very safe family-friendly community, and top-notch amenities such as a premier-level golf course which is the highest-rated public golf course in the county, a fantastic aquatic center, tennis center, parks, and recreation fields and so much more, all just 20 minutes from downtown Miami or Brickell.

With our accessibility, economic opportunities and residential appeal, Miami Springs plays a vital role in Miami-Dade County’s continued growth.

What industries or types of businesses are experiencing the most growth and demand in Miami Springs?

We have several major businesses, such as AirBus. Just this year we welcomed 63 new businesses to the city. We’re also a service-oriented community, and our restaurants and local shops continue to thrive. We have some chain restaurants, but most are unique, offering a special experience for both residents and visitors. 

We also have several corporations that started in Miami Springs decades ago and have continued to expand here. Some have been here for over 50 years and have been passed through generations of ownership while continuing to call Miami Springs home. That longevity speaks to the stability and appeal of our city.

What are the biggest challenges facing local businesses today, and how does the city support them?

For service-based businesses — restaurants, shops, and similar establishments — attracting new customers is always a challenge, especially with inflation impacting daily transactions.

The city works closely with businesses through an open-door policy, allowing anyone to walk into city hall and speak directly with city officials. We are always available and listening to their needs. Our city council has been highly receptive to initiatives to support local businesses. 

A common concern is the permitting process for new businesses. While some permits are handled at the county level, we’re working to streamline city processes to make it easier for businesses to open and expand.

Another initiative is our public information campaign. Our Public Information Officer produces promotional videos for local businesses, which we share on our social media and website. This provides businesses with free marketing to help attract new customers.

How is Miami Springs integrating sustainability into its policies and urban planning?
Sustainability is a top priority in Miami Springs. We prioritize making our city environmentally sustainable in every project and decision we make. We have four major infrastructure projects underway now to improve roads and stormwater controls and prevent flooding. At the same time, with every new project, we include the addition of more pedestrian/bike paths and beautification. One recent sustainability initiative has been to increase permeability incentives throughout the city so that precipitation can more easily provide groundwater recharge and prevent flooding. A good example is the recently revised driveway ordinance, which incentivizes the use of permeable materials like special concrete or pavers that allow water to seep through. Miami Springs is also a designated Tree City USA. If you look down from a plane departing Miami International Airport, you’ll see a green triangle in the middle of the county. That’s our city. Our trees improve air quality and reduce heat, making them invaluable. We recently strengthened our tree ordinance to discourage unnecessary removals and promote increased planting and preservation. The City’s environmental resolution which was passed a few years back, furthers our collective efforts to be an environmentally sustainable community.

How is Miami Springs leveraging smart city initiatives to enhance services and improve efficiency?
We’re always looking for new ways to implement technology-driven enhancements and regularly seek input from residents, businesses and other stakeholders to increase operational efficiency. We continually seek to provide free public broadband access in all our public facilities and to incorporate tech-driven improvements to our public safety, recreation, infrastructure, data analytics, energy and water efficiency, environmental stewardship, and resiliency. This is an ongoing process and every minor or major project that the city undertakes gives us the opportunity to incorporate smart city enhancements.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for the next two to three years?
A major priority is rezoning Southeast Springs, a prime area for attracting corporate headquarters. I invite everyone to visit and see firsthand why it’s such a great location for development.

Equally important is maintaining Miami Springs’ exceptional quality of life. We invest heavily in public safety and recreation. As a result, we have what I believe is the best police department and the best recreational facilities of any city in South Florida. As the county grows, we will continue to be open to all the opportunities that arise from the growth while continuing to preserve and enhance our amazing historic small-town charm.

Miami Springs is truly a uniquely charming, historic city in all the glam and glitter of Miami-Dade County, and yet I do not doubt that our best years are still ahead. With our unbeatable location and historic character, we continue to have a bright and exciting future.