The tourism development director for the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce will retire after 18 years, chamber officials have announced.

Lori Burns’ last day will be Sept. 30, according to Penny Chandler, chamber president.

“Lori has been an institution in her role with the chamber,” Chandler said in a news release.
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VERO BEACH — A baseball-related organization is reportedly close to signing a five-year agreement for the use of Dodgertown.

County officials are declining to release the name of the proposed new tenant, although county officials previously met with Minor League Baseball President Pat O’Conner about the facility.

While the deal expected does not involve a Major League team, it leaves open the possibility of one using Holman Stadium for spring training in the future.
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ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Tourism leaders from Grand Bahama Island will meet with local officials this week and get a first-hand feel for St. Lucie County in an effort to build a business and tourism partnership.

Grand Bahamian and St. Lucie County officials hope the visit, which will include tours of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, will help solidify a non-binding agreement the two groups entered into in December with the goal of boosting tourism in both locations. One of the main ideas behind the agreement is to work together to market both areas, such as offering vacation packages between the two locations. (more…)

VERO BEACH — Normal business operations have resumed at Piper Aircraft Inc. and while the company said it will not seek more incentive money from the county, the status of the state’s next installment from the $32 million incentive package remains unknown.

An operator answering calls at Piper’s headquarters said the facility reopened Monday. Piper executives declined to comment but an internal Piper memo distributed in November said employees were scheduled to return to work this week. In past years, Piper had implemented a one- to two-week plant shutdown. The recent shutdown was longer than normal. (more…)

MARTIN COUNTY — For Gary Guertin, the almost 68 miles of ocean that separate Stuart from Grand Bahama is not a divide, it’s a bridge.

And it’s an opportunity to capitalize on Stuart’s waterfront resources and promote the two destinations.

The general manager of the Harborage Yacht Club & Marina in Stuart has formed partnerships with marinas and resorts in the Bahamas in the hopes of attracting customers to Stuart as they travel out to sea. Others said partnerships with the Bahamas could be helpful if they brought business, although they were wary of the costs. (more…)

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Vacation packages and sporting events between St. Lucie County and Grand Bahama Island could be available as soon as spring 2009.

Representatives from Grand Bahama Island signed a non-binding agreement with the county to formalize a partnership, which, at this point doesn’t include any obligations for either government.

In an effort to boost tourism to both locations, officials want to offer vacation packages between the two locations. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — The St. Lucie County Tourist Development Council plans to launch a new promotional campaign at 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the PGA Country Club, county officials announced. (more…)