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North Central: Timing is Key
Growing companies see new opportunities in just right North Central locations.
Bradford & Union Counties
 Starke’s 3rd annual Bike Fest in June drew close to 15,000 for rides, music, food and fun. |
Economic Boost: Two events pumped more than $2 million into the local economy in 2008. The annual Strawberry Festival drew 17,000 people to Starke’s historic district in April. In June, thousands flocked to Starke for the 3rd annual three-day Bike Fest.
HAMILTON, SUWANNEE & GILCHRIST Counties
Natural Beauty: Hamilton County is separated from the rest of Florida by two rivers: the Withlacoochee on the west and the Suwannee River to the east and south. A third — the Alapaha or “River of Sand,” which disappears underground during certain parts of the year leaving a dry, sandy riverbed — runs through the middle. Not surprisingly, recreation and tourism are major industries here. One project being negotiated could have significant impact on local tourism. In addition, this county’s many sites appropriate for clean energy facilities and its access to significant bio-mass feed stock are proving attractive; several companies in the clean energy cluster are investigating the area for possible site location.
New Industrial Park: Live Oak and Suwannee County have joined together to improve one of their greatest economic resources, the Interstate 10 interchange at U.S. 129. Utilities have been extended to the interchange to foster retail and industrial development, and the first phase of a perimeter road connecting the new industrial park — East 90 Commerce Center — to the interchange has been completed.
Strategic Planning: Officials with Gilchrist County are working with the University of Florida’s Extension office to develop strategies for the community’s future development. One vision that has already come to fruition is the new Emergency Operations Center that opened in August 2008. Also in the works: a proposal from Lake City Community College to build a satellite campus in the community of Bell.
