Florida counties create freight logistics zone

Four Florida counties have established the Gulf to Gadsden Freight Logistics Zone (FLZ) to enable freight transportation and infrastructure services to become a platform for broader economic development.

The establishment of the FLZ can provide the counties of Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin with priority for state funding and incentives when pursuing certain projects within the zone.

The four counties drafted a business development strategic plan, which was accepted by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in each county.

"The new Freight Logistics Zone will connect communities, improve infrastructure for freight transportation and strongly impact the local economies," said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor. "We are proud to work with this team to create a positive effect on economic development and job growth across these counties."

The four counties share a common transportation asset in the Apalachicola Northern Railway, owned by St. Joe Co. and operated by a subsidiary of Genesee & Wyoming Inc. The railroad connects the Port of Port St. Joe in Gulf County with CSX in Gadsden County.

A number of industrial sites have been qualified by Enterprise Florida's Strategic Sites program along the railroad and close to additional transportation assets, FLZ officials said.