VERO BEACH, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company and one of the nation’s leading multifamily developers, announced today the development of Verity, a 276-unit Class A multifamily community in Vero Beach. The company intends to begin construction this month, with completion expected in summer 2026.

“Despite significant demand for housing options in the Vero Beach community, supply has not kept pace in recent years,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential. “We are pleased to be able to move forward with providing a highly desired rental living option that fits the community’s needs.”

Located off 37^th Street on 11^th Circle, Verity will span more than 18 acres and consist of three-story buildings offering one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes with up to nearly 1,400 square feet.

Apartment homes will feature many of the high-end finishes and amenities that Thompson Thrift communities have become known to include—hardwood-style flooring; full-size washers and dryers; stainless-steel appliances and built-in microwaves; smooth, glass-top ranges; side-by-side refrigerators with ice and water dispensers; detached garages; tile backsplashes, designer fixtures and finishes; large walk-in closets; private yard and patio options and ceiling fans in the living room and all bedrooms.

Residents can also choose from an array of signature collection amenities including walk-in showers with full tile and glass doors, premium lighting, smart hub to integrate all smart devices, premium appliances, and dry bar in select homes.

One tailormade community feature is a custom-angled clubhouse with a covered pavilion that connects to the 24-hour fitness center and will include a coffee bar, a 24-hour social hub, work from home suites and a resident conference room with screenshare and video conferencing technology. Other community amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool, electric firepits with seating area, community grilling areas, pickleball court, a dog run with agility equipment and pet spa. Residents will also have access to high-speed internet access, an Amazon package hub, valet trash service, an onsite service team and a user-friendly mobile app for rent payment, submitting service requests, community feed, and more.

Verity residents will be a short drive to nearby beaches and coastal attractions, as well as downtown Vero Beach and Treasure Coast Plaza, a popular dual-anchor shopping center.

Located within one of the top demographic pockets of the market, the site is surrounded by home values and income levels that exceed market averages, while Vero Beach itself continues to boast high population growth, along with impressive job growth figures, increasing by more than 6% since 2020.

Approximately 70% of Vero Beach’s workforce, highlighted by nearly 6,000 medical service jobs, is located within five miles of the Verity site. The property sits directly across the street from the area’s largest employer – the Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital which is home to more than 1,500 jobs. Other major nearby employers include L3 Harris Technologies, a quickly growing aerospace manufacturing and research company, and the Indian River County school district, which supports more than 17,000 students across 27 schools.

Thompson Thrift is a full-service real estate development company focused on ground-up commercial and mixed-use development across the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest. The company continues to expand its footprint with eight new residential developments targeted for 2024, including new markets in Georgia, Utah and Idaho. Verity marks Thompson Thrift’s 16^th multifamily community in Florida.

Since its founding nearly 40 years ago, Thompson Thrift has invested more than $5 billion into local communities and has become known as a trusted partner committed to developing high-quality, attractive commercial and multifamily communities.

About Thompson Thrift Real Estate Company
Thompson Thrift is an integrated full-service real estate company with offices in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana; Denver; Houston and Phoenix. Three business units drive Thompson Thrift’s success—Thompson Thrift Residential which is focused on upscale Class A multifamily communities and luxury leased homes, Thompson Thrift Commercial which is focused on ground-up commercial development, and Thompson Thrift Construction, a full-service construction company. Through these business units, Thompson Thrift is engaged in all aspects of development, construction, leasing, and management of quality commercial real estate projects across the country. The company earned national recognition as a winner of a 2024 Top Workplaces USA award, the latest accolade that reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence in the community and workplace. For more information, please visit www.thompsonthrift.com

SOURCE Thompson Thrift

(Joan Casanova) Have you ever wondered what’s in your favorite packaged foods, grabbed a box from your pantry, read the ingredients and realized you still didn’t know what you’re eating? The ingredients in some processed foods can read like a chemist’s shopping list. Now imagine if backyard birds could read. What would they say about the ingredients in the food you feed them?

A growing number of Americans are choosing natural foods for their pets; nearly one-third say they prefer natural products, according to PetFoodIndustry.com. People who feed wild birds also want to know they’re feeding the most natural and nutritious options. It’s hard to be confident when reading the mystifying ingredient list on feed bags makes you feel like a bird brain.

With an abundance of options, ranging from commercial bird feeds to small-batch varieties, understanding the differences can help bird lovers make informed choices to meet wild birds’ nutritional needs while considering factors like sustainability and quality.

The wild bird experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products, Co. offer these tips to ensure you’re feeding your feathered friends a healthy, natural diet.

While commercial bird feeds aim to provide basic nutrition for birds, the quality and nutritional content can vary. Some mixes contain a high proportion of less desirable seeds and fillers, offering limited nutritional value.

Small batch bird feeds prioritize nutritional content, using premium ingredients rich in essential nutrients, fats and proteins. This can provide birds with a more balanced diet, promoting overall health and vitality.

Avoid commercial bird feeds that are full of cheap fillers, such as red milo, millet, cracked corn, oats and wheat. Fillers lack nutritional value and birds will kick them right out of the feeder.

Instead, select small batch, natural feed comprised of top-of-the-crop seeds which contain no chemicals or mineral oil like Cole’s and bypass seed coated with them. Some commercial bird feeds are coated with mineral oil and mixed with crushed rock to add “vitamins.” Current regulations allow manufacturers to list nutritional components of mineral oil (iron, zinc) and crushed rock (vitamin A, calcium carbonate) separately, which can make the ingredients look more impressive. Mineral oil makes birdseed shiny and helps hide dirt and dust, and crushed rock adds weight to the product.

Take note of ingredients you can’t read; often it’s an indication the ingredient is synthetic or lab engineered. Ingredients like menadione sodium bisulfite complex and thiamine mononitrate aren’t found in natural foods; they’re man-made versions of vitamins. The rule of thumb for buying all-natural is “If you can’t read it, don’t feed it.”  

Focus on serving feed with an ingredient list you can read and understand. For instance, Cole’s Sunflower Meats contains nothing but shelled sunflower seeds and White Millet contains 100% white millet. Super simple, right?

Study birds visiting your feeders and research feed they prefer or buy feed from a reputable company that’s done that work for you. For example, Cole’s offers select natural seed choices developed and based on research about what birds actually eat. Feed is specifically formulated to attract certain species of birds as well as the largest number of birds. No cheap filler seeds are used and seed is cleaned to ensure quality – no sticks and dirt. When you know and serve what backyard birds prefer, they’ll keep coming back for more.

Supplement seed with natural foods you have at home. For example, woodpeckers love raw peanuts, mockingbirds love fruit and chickadees savor suet. Soak raisins and currants in water overnight then serve or purchase blends with a dried fruit and nut mixture, like Nutberry suet. To attract orioles, skewer halved oranges on a spike near feeders.

Buy feed from companies specializing in wild bird food. Some offer bird feed as a side product of pet products or grass seed producers. Conversely, Cole’s exclusively produces and sells products for feeding backyard birds. Seeds are packaged like human food in “Harvest Fresh Lock” packaging so seeds don’t lose nutritional content or dry out and spoil.

To learn more about all-natural feed options with ingredients even birds could understand, visit coleswildbird.com.

Photos courtesy of Cole’s Wild Bird Products

SOURCE:
Cole’s Wild Bird Seed

Money Magazine’s Best Places to Live 2024 list is out, and it’s bigger and better than ever before. With the help of ADT, the number one smart home security provider in the U.S., Money has curated a list of communities that are creating outstanding lives for their residents. These hidden gems showcase the best that America has to offer and provide models for how communities can come together to create lasting impacts.

This year’s list features five exciting new categories. First up, we have “Suburbs with a Soul.” These suburbs not only offer the comfort and convenience of traditional suburban living but also boast a vibrant community spirit, with plenty of cultural, artistic, and historical depth.

Next on the list are the “New Boomtowns.” These areas are undergoing rapid transformation, experiencing economic and population growth like never before. They are the new frontiers of innovation, offering plentiful job opportunities and making a name for themselves on the economic map.

For those seeking a rich cultural experience, the “Culture Hubs” category is sure to impress. These cities are renowned for their cultural landscapes, featuring museums, theaters, music venues, and diverse culinary scenes that attract artists and culture enthusiasts from all walks of life.

But the list doesn’t stop there. Money recognizes that college towns are not just defined by their academic institutions. The category “Not Just College Towns” highlights towns that offer a dynamic living experience beyond their universities, with cutting-edge research, thriving local economies, and vibrant social scenes.

Last but certainly not least, Money unveils the “Best Kept Secrets” category. These hidden gems may fly under the radar, but they offer an unmatched quality of life with their serene beauty, close-knit communities, and affordable living options.

To determine which towns made the list, Money assessed various factors. Economic opportunity for individuals was a key consideration, including job availability, upward mobility, and income growth potential. The health and success of small businesses were also analyzed, reflecting the community’s support for entrepreneurship and innovation. Government policies that favor growth, such as tax incentives and investment in infrastructure, played a role in determining the economic development of these communities. And of course, the safety and well-being of residents were given top priority.

ADT, the partner for this year’s list, understands the importance of safety and security in these communities. They work closely with local governments and residents to ensure that people feel safe in their homes and businesses. ADT’s analysis found that some of the safest towns in the country made it onto Money’s Best Places to Live list.

Money’s Best Places to Live franchise has been guiding people since 1987. It has not only shaped national discourse but has also featured in movies and been shared by prominent politicians. With its 50-plus-year legacy, Money continues to provide up-to-date information, education, and tools to guide people to financial victories and create richer lives for everyone.

So, whether you’re looking for a suburban community with soul, an emerging boomtown, a cultural hub, a vibrant college town, or a hidden gem, Money’s Best Places to Live 2024 list has got you covered. Explore the full list on Money’s website and discover the communities that could be the perfect place for you to call home.

About ADT:
ADT provides safe, smart and sustainable solutions for people, homes and small businesses. Through innovative offerings, unrivaled safety and a premium customer experience, all delivered by the largest networks of smart home security professionals in the U.S., we empower people to protect and connect to what matters most, every second, every day. For more information, visit adt.com.

¹ Source: Tech Insights, “Analysis – Top 10 US Interactive Security Providers – May 2023”

SOURCE Money

https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/money-announces-best-places-to-live-2024-302110552.html

https://stmdailynews.com/category/the-bridge/urbanism/