Spotlight on: Noel Martinez, President & CEO, Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce
January 2025 — In an interview with Invest:, Noel Martinez, president and CEO of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the chamber’s significant milestones, advocacy priorities, and collaborative efforts, while discussing trends, economic pressures, and the region’s vision for growth as Florida’s ‘Prosperity Coast.’
What significant achievements did the chamber accomplish over the last year?
The Palm Beach North Chamber has experienced remarkable growth and achieved several significant milestones. Our organization has surged by 72% over the last five years, reflecting the rapid development in the northern part of Palm Beach County. We’re proud to represent businesses from West Palm Beach to Tequesta in such a dynamic and prosperous region.
Our commitment to education has been a highlight this year, particularly through the work of the Palm Beach North Education Foundation. We’ve made significant strides in supporting early literacy, teacher recruitment, and leadership development for high school seniors. This year, we funded literacy programs for all first-grade students at both Lake Park and Jupiter Elementary—an achievement we’re especially proud of.
Our efforts have also been recognized on a broader scale, with the Chamber receiving the prestigious “Chamber of the Year” award for 2023 from the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals and the Chairman’s Award from the Florida Chamber. These honors underscore the impactful work we’re doing in education, advocacy, and community development, and serve as a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our members.
What progress has been made to position Palm Beach North as Florida’s “Prosperity Coast?”
The growth we’ve seen is the clearest indicator of our progress in positioning Palm Beach North as Florida’s “Prosperity Coast.” The Chamber plays a pivotal role in advocating for businesses and fostering an environment where they can thrive. What truly sets the north end of Palm Beach County apart is the strong collaboration between the public and private sectors, which has been key to driving this success.
While I don’t have exact metrics on hand, the growth is unmistakable. We’re seeing a steady influx of businesses relocating to the area, along with rapid development that reflects the area’s increasing appeal. From luxury condos starting at $4.5–5 million to large-scale residential projects like Avenir, which is bringing thousands of new homes to the region, the momentum is undeniable. These developments are clear signals that our community is on the right path toward becoming Florida’s next major hub of prosperity.
What trends or shifts in demand are emerging among businesses in the Palm Beach North region?
One of the most prominent trends we’re seeing is the significant growth of the financial services sector. Palm Beach County’s rise as “Wall Street South” is becoming increasingly evident, with hedge funds and financial firms establishing a strong presence in areas like West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. This shift is contributing to the region’s economic diversification and solidifying our position as a financial hub.
We’re also witnessing a demographic shift, with a younger generation of residents increasingly calling the area home. This influx of younger professionals is bringing fresh energy and a renewed sense of vitality to the community. The Chamber is committed to supporting this group by creating opportunities for engagement, fostering connections, and encouraging their involvement in local business and community initiatives.
How does the chamber collaborate with others across the county to achieve shared goals?
Collaboration is one of Palm Beach County’s greatest strengths. As the incoming chairman of the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, I’ve had the opportunity to observe how effectively our county works together toward common goals, especially when compared to other communities in the state and through conversations with my peers from chambers across Florida.
When we advocate in Tallahassee, we present a united front. It’s not just the Palm Beach North Chamber; we partner with organizations like the Business Development Board, the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and others to align on shared legislative priorities. While we may not always agree on every issue, the key is open communication and effective collaboration. This ensures we maximize our collective impact and advocate for the community’s best interests.
What are the chamber’s advocacy priorities?
Advocacy is at the heart of our work as a Chamber, and for us, it’s all about supporting the business community at every level. We maintain strong relationships with the 11 municipalities in our region, collaborating closely with city councils, village managers, and our legislative delegation to address the needs of our members.
A key focus of our advocacy efforts is engaging with our members and stakeholders to shape our legislative agenda. We regularly survey our members to understand their most pressing challenges — the issues that are top of mind. Over the past three years, housing affordability, workforce recruitment and retention, and insurance costs have consistently emerged as the top priorities. While the rank of these issues may vary over time, they remain the biggest concerns for our business community.
To tackle these challenges, we actively engage with lawmakers both in Tallahassee and locally. We advocate for policies that support business growth and ensure that decision-makers fully understand the realities of running a business and managing employees. In addition, we work to elect leaders who align with these priorities and are committed to driving meaningful change in our community.
What strategies has the chamber implemented to help businesses navigate economic pressures?
In today’s challenging economic environment, the Chamber is committed to helping businesses navigate economic pressures through a variety of strategies. First and foremost, we prioritize providing our members with timely, relevant information. We regularly host workshops, webinars, and forums that focus on key issues such as workforce development, regulatory changes, and financial strategies. These resources help businesses stay informed and make well-informed decisions.
We also advocate for policies that ease economic burdens, whether it’s working to reduce business taxes, streamline regulations, or address workforce shortages. By collaborating with local, regional, and state stakeholders, we ensure that the business community’s needs are well-represented.
Additionally, we’ve fostered a robust network that allows businesses to connect, collaborate, and support one another. Our events, networking opportunities, and business-to-business initiatives help strengthen the local economy and provide businesses with the resources and partnerships they need to thrive.
Lastly, we continue to focus on economic development efforts that bring new businesses and investments to the region, helping to diversify and strengthen our local economy for long-term sustainability.
How do you see the Palm Beach North region evolving over the next five years, and what opportunities should businesses prepare for?
Palm Beach North is primed for continued growth, and it’s crucial that we plan for the opportunities and challenges ahead. Projections indicate that by 2030, over 200,000 people will move into Palm Beach County. To support this growth, we’ll need to create 85,000 new jobs within the next five years.
For businesses and community leaders, this means taking a visionary approach, especially in areas like infrastructure, housing affordability, and economic development. At every city and county meeting, it should be important to ask: How are we doing in meeting this job creation goal, and what progress are we making?
The Palm Beach North region offers incredible opportunities for business growth, but we must ensure that we’re prepared to meet the needs of a growing population. By fostering an environment that supports prosperity and innovation, we can maintain the quality of life that makes our community unique and continue to thrive in the years to come.
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