It’s being called Florida’s “Rural Renaissance.”
A report from the Florida Chamber Foundation (FCF) says with the proper investment, Florida’s 31 rural counties are poised for unprecedented economic growth, in the areas of infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture technology, broadband, and workforce development.
FCF’s highlights the significant progress rural counties have made ready.
Florida’s 31 rural counties currently contribute just 2.92% to the state’s $1.6 trillion growing economy. However, rural areas have outpaced non-rural counties in GDP growth over the past five years. Since 2018, rural counties have experienced 56.6% GDP growth, surpassing the 49.1% growth rate of non-rural counties. Some counties such as Liberty, Okeechobee, and Walton, have seen extraordinary economic expansion.
“With the right policies, focus, and investments, Florida can achieve the ambitious goal set in the Florida 2030 Blueprint, doubling the rural share of GDP to 5.56% by 2030,” said the report.
FCF list targeted investments in key areas will be crucial:
Infrastructure Development: Expanding rural transportation networks to better connect businesses, workers, and markets.
Broadband Expansion: Ensuring universal access to high-speed internet to support business growth, remote work, education, and healthcare.
Manufacturing Growth: Utilizing the affordable land in rural counties as prime locations for large-scale manufacturing facilities and investing in related workforce training.
AgTech: Florida’s agriculture industry feeds the world. By combining research and development (R&D) and agriculture, technology and innovation-based investments can help leverage rural Florida’s assets.
Proof of rural counties obtaining investments. Last week, the City of DeFuniak Springs was awarded a grant from Triumph Gulf Coast, Inc., in the amount of $4,229,000 for improvements made to the DeFuniak Springs Airport. The funds will construct two 6,400-square-foot hangars, one 10,000-square-foot hangar, and an access road to the hangars.
The city says this project will create hundreds of new jobs in DeFuniak Springs and the surrounding area, generating a total estimated economic impact of more than $12.3 million for the region.
Jennifer Green with Liberty Partners tells Florida Daily, the region in Northwest Florida is attracting investment because of the growth opportunity that exist.
“There are key industries moving to the area and it will bolster economic progress and quality of life in rural Florida,’ said Greene.
