Northeast Florida Economic Indicators

Jeff Brooks | 4/23/2012

St. Augustine/St. Johns County

EDC Vice President Norman Gregory says the region is getting more interest from international companies. [Photo: Scott S. Smith]

St. Johns County has 38 business prospects this year, including a medical manufacturer, which wants to build a distribution center, and a food processing company, says Norman Gregory, vice president of the St. Johns County Economic Development Council. The county is seeing more interest from international companies: A German firm that manufactures equipment that turns biofuel into electricity and sells it back to the utilities may open by the spring, and an Irish company that makes solar hot water heaters is looking for a site. One major goal is developing a larger tax base in the commercial and industrial sectors. The county's commercial property sector comprises only about 12% of the tax base.

St. Johns Population: 202,947
Population Growth Rate (2008-12): 4.97%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
18.15%	7.14%	20.88%	37.01%	16.82%
Per Capita Income: $50,422

Orange Park/Clay County

Construction of the first segment of the First Coast Outer Beltway should provide a big jobs boost while opening areas for development, says Danita Andrews, vice president of economic development for the Chamber of Commerce. The county is moving forward with a business park development near Green Cove Springs. Healthcare and green manufacturing are growing along with IT and business services. Orange Park Medical Center is continuing its expansion, adding a cardiac unit and a Level 2 trauma center. Last October, the county finished its first target industry analysis, providing some long-term economic development strategies.

Clay Population: 201,986
Population Growth Rate (2008-12): 1.91%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
20.69%	7.63%	23.69%	35.23%	12.76%
Per Capita Income: $35,483

Nassau County

Omni Hotels and Resorts at Amelia Island Plantation is spending $85 million, adding 155 rooms and expanding the conference center and retail area in an effort to lure more corporate and event travel business. The expansion is scheduled for completion next March, when Omni expects to add 160 jobs, says Steve Rieck, executive director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board. The Villages at Amelia, a retail complex in Yulee anchored by Publix, Kohl's and TJ Maxx, will bring another 450 jobs. Aerospace manufacturer ALM Technologies is relocating to Yulee from Brunswick, Ga., bringing 30 jobs averaging $41,267 a year. Nassau has suspended impact fees for 2012. Diamond Industrial Park, which is owned by Rayonier, is going through a major-site certification process and will be the second major site in northeast Florida behind Cecil Field. Nassau also hopes to start development of the 27,000-acre East Nassau Community Planning Area, a mixed-use project, including offices and retail.

Nassau Population: 76,563
Population Growth Rate (2008-12): 1.70%
Population by Age:
0-14	15-19	20-39	40-64	65+
17.59%	6.01%	21.89%	36.63%	17.88%
Per Capita Income: $46,591

Tags: Northeast