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Business Florida 2016 - The Regions
North Central Florida
Innovative ideas and entrepreneurial activity thrive in North Central Florida, a region known for its competitive cost of living, accessibility and abundance of natural resources. Home to the University of Florida, ranked No. 14 on U.S. News & World Report’s “2015 Top Public Universities,” and Santa Fe College, winner in 2015 of the coveted Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, this region offers a highly skilled workforce and the supportive environment emerging companies need to get up and running. And with more business incubators per capita than almost anywhere else in the U.S., North Central is adept at attracting fresh ideas and retaining the talent to grow businesses that will bring them to market.
Enhancing all of this is a well-developed transportation network providing easy access to vital markets. Two of Florida’s major interstate highways — I-75 and I-10 — intersect in this region, which is also served by multiple other roadways, rail systems, two commercial airports and deep water ports in Jacksonville, Fernandina and Tampa Bay.
WHO LIVES HERE
Well-educated North Central boasts some of Florida’s most highly educated people. In Gainesville alone, 43% of residents age 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to the national average of 29%.
Growing, yet balanced Ocala ranked No. 7 among 18 U.S. metro areas that will see the most economic growth in 2016 (4.2%), according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors prepared by IHS Global Insight. And among 536 U.S. cities studied, Gainesville earned the No. 3 spot on Nerdwallet’s list of “Best Cities for Work-Life Balance” based on weekly hours worked, commute time (just 16.5 minutes) and income/cost of living.
Military friendly Military retirees can expect a warm welcome in Gainesville, according to the 2014 “Best Places for Veterans: Military Retirement” study commissioned by USAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program. Gainesville ranks among the top 10 U.S. metro areas offering opportunities for military retirees to maximize their benefits and find employment that aligns with military skills.
