Pompano Beach, FL

Located in Broward County, Pompano Beach is a popular coastal town in Southern Florida. As of 2007, the city was home to a population of nearly 103,000 residents.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The economic health of Pompano Beach depends primarily on a combination of tourism, retail, construction, and light manufacturing operations. Roughly 3,000 acres has been set aside by the city for industrial development and the expansion of commercial and retail businesses.

The city is part of a geographic area known as the Internet Coast, a reference to the high concentration of technology-based businesses located within Broward, Miami/Dade, and Palm Beach counties.

GETTING AROUND

Pompano Beach is situated near the Hillsboro Inlet, considered part of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The Waterway is used for both passenger travel and freight shipping. The city is also within easy reach of major highways and also has access to rail systems. The Tri-Rail is a commuter rail with services to and from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. Within Pompano Beach, the city operates a bus system that provides access to the majority of the city, including key shopping and business centers.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Pompano Beach offers a number of permanent residence options to long time residents and newcomers. Detached housing, such as homes and condominiums, are found in many neighborhoods, including gated communities. Apartment complexes are also found in many areas of the city. Nearby Plantation also offers a wide range of residential options, including houses, condos, town homes, mobile homes, and apartments.

HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CARE

In addition to healthcare services offered in nearby metropolitan areas, Pompano Beach is home to three healthcare facilities of note:

• North Broward Medical Center: Located near I-95 and Broward Road, this medical center specializes in cardiac care, neurology, cancer treatment and care, and stroke treatment and recovery.
• Northwest Medical Center: Located at 2801 North State Road, this medical center includes an emergency room, while also operating a pain management center. The facility specializes in geriatric care and in-vitro fertilization programs.
• Broward Children's Center: Located at 200 SE 19^th Avenue in Pompano Beach, this center offers rehabilitation programs for post-surgical recovery, a respite care program, and two preschool programs tailored to the childcare needs of local residents.

EDUCATION

A number of colleges and universities are located in and around Pompano Beach. The major educational institutions in the area include:

• Florida Metropolitan University
• Florida Atlantic University
• Keiser College
• Nova Southeastern University

SHOPPING

While shopping in local metropolitan areas is readily available, Pompano Beach offers three opportunities of note:

• Festival Market Place, located at 2900 Sample Road, offers an eclectic mix of national chains and local shops, including several devoted to souvenirs and various collectibles.
• Pompano Citi Centre, located at 2001 North Federal Highway, includes a wide range of established shops and restaurants.
• The Shoppes at Beacon Light, located at 1807 Northeast 24^th Street, provide residents and visitors the chance to explore locally-owned shops, enjoy a meal out, and bask in the Florida sunshine while tending to their shopping needs.

SPORTS TEAMS

Several professional sports teams are headquartered within convenient driving distance from Pompano Beach. These include:

• Florida Marlins (baseball)
• Miami Heat (basketball)
• Miami Dolphins (football)
• Florida Panthers (hockey)

BEST BETS

Pompano Beach offers a number of recreational facilities and events that provide diversion for residents and visitors throughout the calendar year. Some of the more popular spots include:

• Everglades Holiday Park
• Goodyear Blimp Base
• Pompano Beach Fishing Pier
• Pompano Park Racing and Poker
• Lighthouse Dive Center
• Pompano Beach Historical Museum at Founder's Park
• Pompano Beach Aquatic Center
• Pompano Beach Amphitheater
• Founder's Park
• McNab Park
• Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course

Popular annual events include:

• Bluewater Movements Pompano Beach Saltwater Circuit Fishing Tournaments, held June through August
• Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, held in April
• Pompano Beach Holiday Parade, held on the Intracoastal Waterway in December
• Nautical Flea Market, held the third weekend in November
• Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, held the third weekend in May
• Yuletide on Atlantic Celebration, held the first Thursday in December

LOCAL MEDIA

A total of 34 different AM and FM radio stations serve the greater Broward County area, covering a wide range of musical tastes, news reporting, and community information.

Five broadcast television stations serve Pompano Beach:

• WPBT (PBS)
• WFRO (CBS)
• WTVJ (NBC)
• WSVN (FOX)
• WPLG (ABC)

Cable services are offered by Comcast Communications.

In addition to the newspapers originating from the surrounding metropolitan areas, Pompano Beach is also served by the Sun-Sentinel, a daily that is published in Broward County.