Northwest: Right Time, Right Place

This region grows new business with solid connections and plenty of room.

Christine Jordan Sexton | 9/24/2009

CALHOUN COUNTY

Gearing up for growth: The city of Blountstown received a $300,000 grant to hire an engineering firm to study improvements needed at the Calhoun County Industrial Park, a 146-acre park with an airport. Connected to Interstate 10 via Highway 71 and just 16 miles away from rail, the park is due for a facelift thanks to its designation as a RACEC catalyst pilot site. Industries targeted for the area include: green engineering and building materials, storm-resistant buildings, innovations with composite material, distribution and logistics and other cutting-edge technologies. Calhoun, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Washington and a portion of Walton counties make up the Northwest RACEC — Rural Area of Critical Economic Concern.

PANAMA CITY/BAY COUNTY

Aloft at last: Bay County is gearing up for the opening of the new Panama City-Bay County International Airport in May 2010. The first international airport to be built in the U.S. since September 11, 2001, it is also the first to feature a LEED-certified terminal. Total costs for the project are expected to reach $318 million, of which federal, state and local governments are contributing equal amounts. The airport is expected to host 600,000 passengers annually by 2020.

Firmly grounded: Approximately 30% of the 71,000 acres adjacent to the new international airport is being developed as an “aerotropolis.” Plans include a regional employment center for time-sensitive goods-processing industries, car rental outlets, hotels, office buildings, an intermodal truck and rail facility that will be linked to the airport area and the Port of Panama City.

GULF COUNTY

More power to you: Biomass Gas & Electric will begin building its $160-million Northwest Florida Renewable Energy Center at Port St. Joe in early 2010. When completed in fall 2011, Biomass will sell the electricity it generates from the Port St. Joe plant to Progress Energy Florida. Biomass President Glenn Farris notes that Gulf County offered everything his firm needed: easy access to roads and rail, plus a barge port that will enable the company to export fuel should it choose to do so in the future. “We have flexibility and additional options,” he says, adding that the Port St. Joe location “really is an ideal place. And on top of that, the community really supported us.”

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Tags: Business Florida, Northwest

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