Economic Indicators for Florida's Big Bend region

Lilly Rockwell | 4/24/2012

Taylor/Gilchrist Counties

The Buckeye Technologies/UF biomass plant began operations this year in Taylor County. [Photo: Buckeye Technologies]

Bo Taff, a senior vice president at Foley Timber and Land Co., says Foley is setting aside 45,000 acres in Taylor County for developmen [Photo: Ray Stanyard]

In January, a new biorefinery plant was dedicated in Taylor County in partnership with local employer Buckeye Technologies and the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, says Scott Frederick, director of the Taylor County Economic Development Authority. The county also finished long-term development plan Vision 2060, incorporating plans by Foley Timber and Land Co., the largest landowner in Taylor County, to set aside 45,000 acres for business or residential development, says Bo Taff, a senior vice president at Foley.

Gilchrist County lost one of its major employers, a Coca-Cola water bottling plant, about a year ago and is working to bring in a new bottling company, says Kyle Stone, executive director of the Gilchrist County Chamber of Commerce. To encourage businesses to relocate to the area, the Gilchrist County Industrial Development Authority meets regularly to discuss tax incentive programs. The county's economy relies on agriculture, though it has also developed an international reputation as a cave-diving hotspot thanks to its 42 natural springs.

Taylor Population: 22,828
Population Growth Rate (2008-12): 0.52%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
16.59%	5.00%	26.14%	35.65%	16.62%
Per Capita Income: $27,868

Gilchrist Population: 17,665
Population Growth Rate (2008-12): 1.27%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
17.50%	7.78%	23.40%	33.51%	17.82%
Per Capita Income: $33,488

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Tags: Big Bend

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