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Economic Yearbook 2007
BIG BEND: Rounding out the Economy
The Big Bend region is growing its manufacturing and tourism base
Columbia / Gilchrist Counties
NEWCOMER: Target Corp.'s first company-owned perishable food distribution center opens at Lake City in the summer of 2008. "It's our largest dollar project ever,'' says Jim Poole, executive director of the Columbia Industrial Development Authority. The $90-million center will provide 140 jobs.
CHALLENGE: In Gilchrist County, "the greatest detriment to growth is State Road 26 -- not even on the horizon to be four-laned,'' says county administrator Ron McQueen. Among roadblocks: The town of Newberry hasn't been able to issue new subdivision permits, and Trenton has been denied zoning requests.