Contender Expands Fla. Operations Feb 9, 2021 Contender Boats is expanding its Homestead, Fla., operations with the purchase of a 100,000-square-foot facility in Fort Pierce, along Florida’s Treasure Coast, Contender said it plans to build its 22- to 32-foot center consoles at the former citrus-packing plant. The company will move half its production to Fort Pierce and introduce a new product line, according to the report. “The county really stepped up to make this happen,” said Jill Marasa, vice president for business retention and expansion for the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “It was a real show of support for our marine industry.”