Have local business news? Promotion? Expansion? Awards? New company? Send your articles and photos to newstc@hometownnewsmediagroup.com.

Heidi Siegal is League of Cities’ Home Rule Hero

STUART — Martin County resident Heidi Siegel has been named a “Home Rule Hero” by the Florida League of Cities for her 2026 legislative advocacy.

Siegel is Town Manager for Jupiter Inlet Colony, where she started in 2024, being hired after a new Town Charter referendum passed by residents created a manager-Commissioner form of government.

The Town of Jupiter Inlet Colony was incorporated in 1959 and sits on a “peninsula” adjacent to Martin County in the farthest northeast corner of Palm Beach County. It has the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Jupiter Inlet to the south, and the Intracoastal to the west. Developed in the 1950s, the first lots were sold to notable early buyers such as regional golf pro Toney Penna and national entertainer Perry Como.

Siegel has more than 25 years of local government and private sector experience, starting in Miami Beach as a historic preservation professional with a private organization, later serving as Village Manager for the Village of Biscayne Park in Miami-Dade County. She also has worked at the City of Hollywood and City of Wilton Manors in Broward County, and with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Queen’s College in Charlotte, N.C., and her master’s degree in historic preservation from Georgia State University.

“Home rule” refers to the principle embedded in Florida’s Constitution outlining the right of local government to self-govern and self-regulate, and therefore respond more quickly to community needs and resident concerns in their respective cities, towns, villages, or counties. Such local ordinances or policies cannot conflict with or supersede applicable state and federal laws.

A long list of State-issued “preemptions” in recent years have steadily decreased “home rule” sovereignty, giving the Florida League of Cities, the statewide association, and its municipality members across the Sunshine State more advocacy work to do each annual legislative cycle in Tallahassee. There are 411 municipalities in Florida.

Industry professionals invited to explore PSL’s upcoming capital projects

PORT ST. LUCIE – As one of Florida’s youngest and fastest-growing cities, Port St. Lucie continues to invest in the infrastructure needed to support its growing community.

That includes new and improved roads, enhanced stormwater systems, expanded utility services and greater access to parks and green spaces.

To support that work, the City of Port St. Lucie will host its Partners in Progress Vendor Expo, inviting contractors, subcontractors, engineers and vendors to learn about upcoming opportunities.

The event is scheduled for 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Community Center, 2195 SE Airoso Blvd. Registration is encouraged at link.Cityofpsl.com/vendorexpo.

“With more than 60 major capital and infrastructure projects on the horizon, from road enhancements and utility system upgrades to facility renovations and new park development, the City anticipates many upcoming vendor and contractor opportunities,” said Caroline Sturgis, director of the Office of Management & Budget.

Hosted by the City’s Procurement Management Division, the expo will give qualified professionals an opportunity to connect with City departments, learn about upcoming projects and prepare for future solicitations.

Over the next five years, more than 120 additional infrastructure projects are planned to help enhance quality of life throughout the community.

Attendees can learn about:

• City departments and the types of contracts they offer.

• Upcoming projects and opportunities to meet with department project managers to discuss project goals and resource needs.

• Solicitation methods, bid preparation and compliance requirements.

• Estimated bid windows and project timelines.

For information about projects being planned or already underway, visit cityofpsl.com/pslinprogress to learn more about how they will benefit Port St. Lucie residents.