Why a Tiny Florida Village Is Betting on Rocket Pumps and Biosolids

Written by:

Alejandra Rodriguez

Date:

24 Mar 2026

Share

Share via Facebook

Share via Linkedin

Share via X

Copy to clipboard

Economic development in small Florida towns typically centers on new retail, chain restaurants, or residential subdivisions. Indiantown, a village of 6,500 in western Martin County, is taking a different path.

In recent years, Indiantown has attracted a rocket-engine pump-testing facility, a biosolids processing plant, and an ammunition primer manufacturer. These are not the standard projects pursued by most small towns, but for Indiantown, they address urgent local needs.

“We need to really diversify our tax base,” says Taryn Kryzda, Village Manager for Indiantown. The village currently depends on a handful of large industrial properties, making its finances vulnerable if a major employer reduces activity. For example, when a hurricane prompts a facility to remove inventory, the village’s tax revenue drops. “We’re not big enough to be able to absorb those dips today,” Kryzda explains.

Rocket Pump Testing Facility

Earlier this year, a rocket engine pump testing facility began operations in Indiantown’s Venture Park, an area designed for niche manufacturers seeking industrial lots of 2.5 acres. The facility tests pumps used in rocket engines — a specialized activity that requires significant space, reliable utilities, and a business-friendly permitting process.

The developer initially spent 18 months trying to secure approval in Martin County. After moving to Indiantown, the project was approved and operational within a year. “He came to us, and we got him up and running in a year,” Kryzda says.

The facility now employs local workers and adds to Indiantown’s industrial tax base.

Biosolids Processing Plant

Indiantown is also preparing for a biosolids processing plant on 12 acres at a former juice plant site. The citrus facility closed after disease devastated the industry, leaving the property vacant. The new plant will process sewage byproducts, removing harmful chemicals like PFAS, and convert them into a nutrient-rich product resembling peat moss without odor.

“There’s nothing like it in the state of Florida,” Kryzda says. The plant will serve communities transitioning to sewer systems by providing a sustainable alternative to landfilling or storing waste in treatment ponds.

Village officials, including the mayor, visited a similar facility out of state and spoke with nearby residents to verify there were no odor or environmental problems. “The mayor went ahead of all of us to go out there ahead of time so he could do that,” Kryzda notes.

Ammunition Primer Manufacturer

The most controversial addition is an ammunition company set to manufacture primers — the component in bullets that ignites the powder. The company already operates a bullet manufacturing plant in nearby Stuart, but its planned expansion prompted local concerns about the safety of handling primers.

“The comment that they made was, well, the explosive stuff will go to Indiantown,” Kryzda recalls. This caused alarm among some residents.

Village officials responded by outlining the strict federal and state regulations governing primer manufacturing. The facility will be subject to rigorous safety standards and is expected to invest $25 to $30 million in equipment and create 100 jobs.

“They check all the boxes,” Kryzda says. “You can’t just be on emotion and deny a project. You have to have a reason.”

The Role of Industrial Projects in Indiantown

Indiantown has limited retail options — just a Tractor Supply, an Ace Hardware, a Family Dollar, and a few fast-food outlets. For other goods or services, residents often drive 25 miles to larger towns. “The mayor says he’s got to drive 25 miles to get a decent meal,” Kryzda says.

Village leaders hope that new housing, including a planned community with nearly 2,500 homes, will eventually attract more retail and restaurants. Until then, industrial projects provide stable, high-paying jobs and diversify the tax base, reducing financial risk from industry-specific downturns.

“We need to bring those economic development projects forward and start getting our tax base more diversified,” Kryzda says.

Implications for Investors

Indiantown’s industrial focus offers several advantages for those considering investment or employment:

Skilled jobs with competitive wages: Facilities like the rocket pump and biosolids plants offer stable positions that do not require a college degree but pay well and provide career growth.

Consistent tax revenue: Industrial properties generate reliable tax income, which supports infrastructure, schools, and public services.

Strategic location: Indiantown sits near I-95, the Florida Turnpike, and the Port of Palm Beach. It also has rail access, an airport, and proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway, making it attractive for manufacturers and logistics firms.

Growth potential: With nearly 2,500 new homes planned, the population could double, expanding the local workforce and customer base for new businesses.

Looking Ahead

Indiantown is not following the typical Florida playbook of chasing retail or tourism. Instead, the village is building an industrial sector designed to create jobs, stabilize tax revenue, and support long-term growth.

“We have a responsibility towards our investors, our builders that are building these homes to provide a community that is sustainable to everybody,” says Mayor Guyton Stone, who has worked in the area for 34 years.

For investors, job seekers, or businesses seeking a foothold in Florida, Indiantown’s strategy offers a clear alternative to markets focused solely on retail or tourism. The village’s willingness to embrace unconventional projects may prove to be its strongest asset as it seeks sustainable growth.

About the Expert: Taryn Kryzda is Village Manager for the Village of Indiantown in western Martin County, Florida. She previously worked with Martin County and has been with Indiantown since early 2023, focusing on infrastructure improvements and economic development.

This article is based on information provided by the expert source cited above. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or real estate advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult qualified professionals before making any real estate or financial decisions.