Project that’s pro environment and jobs didn’t deserve Miami-Dade mayor’s veto | Opinion

Miami-Dade is growing rapidly, and with growth comes responsibility. I write with deep respect for our community and the weight of our shared duty to one another, the places we call home and the values that have guided Kelly Tractor for nearly a century.

County Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava wrote a Feb. 7 Herald op-ed outlining why she vetoed a commercial complex that Kelly Tractor proposed partly outside Miami-Dade’s Urban Development Boundary. She raises concerns about growth but overlooks critical facts about our proposed expansion at Southwest 137th Avenue and the 836 Expressway.

This is not a matter of taking county land; Kelly Tractor has owned the property outright since 1984. For nearly three years, we have worked side by side with county staff and state regulators to ensure that every aspect of this proposal meets rigorous environmental standards and protects our natural resources.

This project balances environmental protection with economic progress for working families. A portion of the site lies outside the Urban Development Boundary, yet it is already surrounded by intense uses, including a cement factory, active rock mining, a warehouse and distribution facility and an approved truck terminal.

If the project is approved, at least 34 acres will be permanently preserved to honor a sacred tribal burial ground, maintain water retention zones and protect green space. More than 100 additional acres will remain unpaved to support drainage and water management. We will purchase local mitigation credits and pursue additional park and habitat mitigation. State agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the South Florida Water Management District, have reviewed and approved our plans.

Facts and history matter. In 2017, the county selected this property as a potential site for a wastewater treatment plant, concluding that environmental impacts would be minimal given the site’s already disturbed and semi-developed conditions. If this land were suitable for a water treatment facility, it would be equally reasonable to consider it suitable for a state-of-the-art headquarters.

Equally important is workforce development. Kelly Tractor employs more than 400 South Florida residents, and this project would create roughly 1,000 permanent jobs. We are proud partners with Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ apprenticeship program, training the next generation of skilled professionals. These are careers with pathways that sustain families and keep talent in Miami-Dade.

Responsible growth requires collaboration and transparency. We welcome oversight, engage with neighbors and officials, and remain committed to balancing economic opportunity with environmental stewardship.

By working together thoughtfully, we can ensure Miami-Dade grows responsibly, protecting natural resources while building opportunity for everyone.

Christopher Kelly is president of Kelly Tractor, a heavy machinery company based in Doral.