Being elected mayor once is sometimes a matter of luck, but being elected a second time—and securing 55.3 percent of the vote in a four-candidate race—is a testament to keeping your word. Before his re-election as mayor for a second, four-year term in August 2024, Rob Medina built his first term on a reputation for honesty and integrity.
Mayor Medina is passionate about serving the people of Palm Bay, Florida. During his last campaign, he received endorsements from influential figures including Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, former Florida House of Representatives Speaker Steve Crisafulli, and former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
Florida House of Representatives Member Robbie Brackett adds his approval. “Mayor Medina is a proven leader who puts community over self,” he says. “His foundational values, leadership style, and proven track record speak for themselves. For these reasons and more, it is my honor to endorse Rob Medina to serve another term as the mayor of the City of Palm Bay.”
Almost a year into his second term, Mayor Medina is quite proud of the accomplishments of his team. “This past November, we welcomed three new council members: Councilman Mike Hammer, Councilman Chandler Langevin, and Deputy Mayor Mike Jaffe,” he says.
“This past May, we welcomed a new City Manager, Matthew Morton. He is a visionary leader with over 25 years’ diverse experience in the public and private sectors, which will be a great mix for our future. Our leadership team is united with a clear vision, and it’s to keep building opportunities in the City of Palm Bay which will be anchored in public safety, smart infrastructure, economic prosperity, and our quality of life.”
To be elected mayor of Palm Bay a second time holds plenty of meaning for Mayor Medina. Not only does it show the faith residents and businesses alike have in his abilities; it allows him to build on goals for the City’s future. In May, he delivered his annual State of the City Address in a video highlighting some of the City’s many recent growth initiatives. These include repaving over 418 miles of road through the $150 million GO Roads initiative. Other significant, necessary work involves water and wastewater system upgrades, new fire stations, expanded recreation services, bringing back the Police Department’s General Crimes Unit, launching a multilingual chatbot, and starting construction of a new City Hall building “to centralize services and support emergency operations,” says Palm Bay’s website.
Indeed, the City is committed to a future of growth and success. “Something I’m extremely proud of is that in this past year, we issued over 14,000 building permits, which totals about $1.4 billion in project value,” says the mayor. “$144 million of that is commercial project valuation alone.”
Last year, the City Council adopted the Palm Bay Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2024-2028. Prepared by Baker Tilly, the five-year strategic plan addresses city-wide goals and objectives, including mission, vision, values, purpose, and direction “for every activity from budget planning to projects and initiatives of the City.”
The aspirational statement for the community reads: “Palm Bay is a thriving community dedicated to economic prosperity, public safety, quality infrastructure, with a diverse culture and recreational amenities for all.” The plan is available at https://www.palmbayfl.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/26149/638164727283270000.
“Our mission is to provide quality services, promote economic growth, and ensure a safe and secure environment for Palm Bay residents and the public,” says the plan, which received feedback from residents and the community. Palm Bay Council and staff identified five key priorities. The goals, according to Mayor Medina, are to: “Develop sustainable and innovative infrastructure; grow the community in a well-balanced manner; increase public safety for residents, businesses, and visitors; increase commercial and industrial growth; and improve community engagement and feedback.”
Himself a 38-year resident of Palm Bay, one of the mayor’s visions for the City is to shatter the false perception of Palm Bay as a ‘bedroom community’ and communicate the many business opportunities and benefits to be enjoyed in this proud Florida city. “We’ve gotten rid of that stigma,” he says. “We want to make sure the public, businesses, and commercial developers know we are open for business. That’s something I’ve been extremely proud of. The direction of this Council is very supportive, and it’s proven by who we hired to fill the City Manager position.”
Located in Brevard County, the City of Palm Bay has access to major highways, airports, rail, Port Canaveral, and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. “Businesses can benefit from seamless regional and international connectivity,” says City Manager Matthew Morton. The area is a well-known hub for electronics manufacturing, technology, and aerospace, and Mayor Medina’s team is actively at work to introduce and establish other spheres of economic development, such as light industrial. “There’s a mission now to get back to the moon, and we want to tap into that with NASA,” he says. Even with a population of about 146,000—making Palm Bay the most populous city in the county, and the biggest in land area—there is plenty of room for business expansion.
Palm Bay and the surrounding “Space Coast” have a strong history and established presence in the aerospace and defense industries, particularly related to space exploration and technology. The presence of related businesses can foster collaboration, create a supportive ecosystem, and attract suppliers and customers. “NASA is a big supplier in Brevard County, and we’ve got the space in the City of Palm Bay,” says Mayor Medina. “We are approximately 60 percent built out, and looking to enhance growth.”
Located between the metros of Jacksonville and Miami, Palm Bay is just 40 minutes from NASA and the Kennedy Space Center, 15 minutes from Melbourne International Airport, one hour from Orlando International Airport, and about 35 minutes from Port Canaveral. One of the world’s biggest cruise terminals, Port Canaveral sees more than four million passengers pass through annually, transports salt, petroleum, lumber, and other cargo, and is known for supporting NASA’s activities.
As a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ 136), Port Canaveral offers significant benefits for businesses involved in international trade. According to the Port, these benefits include deferring duty, or reduction or elimination of duty. Duties are paid only when goods enter U.S. customs for consumption. “This flexibility helps businesses reduce operating costs and improve cash flow, especially for goods that are re-exported or processed into finished products,” says the Port’s website. “FTZ 136 allows your business to quickly adapt to market changes without the immediate duty costs associated with traditional importing, making it an appealing option for companies looking to optimize their international trade operations.”
Mayor Medina and his team are pleased with Palm Bay’s continuing appeal to new business. Right now, this includes an Oregon-based semiconductor manufacturer coming to the area, amongst many other businesses. In late May, almost $800 million in investment was announced in Brevard County. This includes Health First—a not-for-profit, fully integrated delivery network—announcing a significant, $230 million expansion of Palm Bay Hospital on Malabar Road. To be completed in 2028, the new five-floor tower will increase hospital capacity with 60 additional inpatient beds, expanded operating rooms, catheter labs, pre-op/recovery space, additional parking, and more.
These investments and others will improve quality of life in the area. “We are a city on the rise and thriving,” says Mayor Medina. “Health First understands that, and they’re willing to invest in our community.” The large-scale project will not only create more jobs for healthcare professionals but also support hundreds of construction workers, suppliers, and others. “I’m excited about our continued growth,” the mayor says. “Of course, there are always challenges, and we have to continue working on our infrastructure.”
As a testament to its growth, Palm Bay has received various national rankings and accolades over the past few years, including:
• #1 Top Growth City – U-Haul Growth Index (2023)
• #1 Best Places for First-Time Home Buyers – WalletHub (2024)
• #3 Best Cities to Move to in Florida – USA Today (2024)
• #13 Best Cities On The Rise – Southern Living (2024)
• #9 Best-Performing City (Palm Bay MSA) – Milken Institute (2025)
• #4 Florida Cities Where Upper-Middle Class has Exploded – GOBankingRates (2025)
• # 7 Best Places To Move In Florida – Southern Living (2025)
Mindful of increasing its commercial base, the City has other projects in the pipeline, including a new supermarket in the permitting phase. “Palm Bay is experiencing strategic and sustainable growth, with future development plans centered on livability, environmental stewardship, and opportunity. New residential communities, commercial hubs, recreational facilities, and educational institutions are all on the horizon. These efforts aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment for families, professionals, and entrepreneurs alike,” says City Manager, Matthew Morton.
Before Mayor Medina’s administration, permitting was a slow process that has now been greatly improved. When he took office, the City’s Building Department was not accredited; now it is, with valuable information available online. “We had some challenges with driveway permits, and overcame those,” he says. “So the investors in our community—commercial developers and so on—are seeing that we are changing the tide. We are welcoming them to invest in our community, and we want to see how we can help.”
Palm Bay offers a variety of programs to help grow and sustain business and industry within the community such as the Ad Valorem Tax Abatement Program and Building Permit Fee Reduction Program. “We’re ready to lead with bold ideas and creative solutions that attract more jobs, support small businesses, and expand opportunities for all,” says Economic Development Manager, Danielle Crotts.
The City also has the Mayor’s Business Spotlight program, which is designed to feature local businesses “who foster pride in the City’s thriving business community and strong local economy.” Businesses eligible for nomination must have a valid business tax receipt (BTR) and demonstrate attributes such as growth, innovation, involvement, or recognition. Select businesses receive a spotlight feature on the City’s Community and Economic Development website and the City’s newsletter and are recognized via proclamation at a regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, along with an exclusive ‘Mayor’s Business Spotlight Recipient’ window decal or cling. The business is also featured on the City’s social media platforms. “Small businesses are the staples of our community,” the mayor emphasizes.
“The City of Palm Bay,” he says, “is a great example of strength and resilience in our county. Our journey continues, even though we have faced challenges previously. We’ve made significant strides, reinforcing our foundation and enhancing many aspects of our community. Our goals and values are steadfast. Our city prides itself on its values of commitment, integrity, service before self, transparency, and trust. And this has come about through our strategic planning.”
