North Florida Counties Partner to Grow The Super Region for Manufacturing & Logistics

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 27, 2018 -- Today, four leading Florida regional economic development organizations announced the creation of the North Florida Manufacturing and Logistics Corridor to promote corporate growth across 34 counties, from Pensacola to Jacksonville. Florida’s Great Northwest, Opportunity Florida, the North Florida Economic Development Partnership and JAXUSA Partnership united to build awareness and generate opportunities for attraction and expansion projects in manufacturing, logistics and distribution.

By joining together, urban and rural communities along the Corridor can showcase the region’s certified sites, skilled workforce, accessible infrastructure, a competitive business climate and unmatched quality of place.

The super region sits along 362 miles of Interstate 10 running from the Panhandle of Florida, serving the major cities of Pensacola, Tallahassee, Lake City and ending at Jacksonville. Within the corridor are large swaths of available land and shovel-ready sites to support rapid development. With a workforce of more than 1.5 million, the region is an ideal location for manufacturing and logistics companies large and small.

North Florida has a rich history of success in manufacturing and logistics due to its integrated infrastructure including deep-water ports, international airports, rail lines and thousands of miles of interstate. The Corridor is already home to top manufacturers such as Boeing, GE, Georgia Pacific, Johnson & Johnson and WestPoint Home, and major logistics and distribution centers such as Amazon, CSX, Family Dollar, Publix, Walmart and more. Start-up companies fueled by innovative technologies and a competitive cost of doing business also find success in the region.

To promote the super region, the organizations have launched a website at NorthFloridaCorridor.com to showcase the many reasons manufacturing and logistics companies should locate or expand in North Florida. Top reasons include:

1. Access a Large Customer Base: Reach 20 million Floridians plus 58 million people within an eight-hour drive.
2. Tap into a Workforce of 1.5 million: Ready and available talent with in-demand skills and military training. Partner with 60 educational institutions to build the future talent pipeline.
3. Move Product Quickly – Reach the entire Southeastern US through I-10, I-75, I-95; and leverage seaports reaching South America and Asia daily.  Access Class 1 and short line rail with inland and intermodal ports.

Contact:

Kim Wilmes, President & CEO, Florida’s Great Northwest
850.729.6847, [email protected]