March 21, 2023

Business Florida 2023
The Regions

Northwest

Bay • Calhoun • Escambia • Franklin • Gadsen • Gulf • Holmes • Jackson • Jefferson • Leon • Liberty • Okaloosa • Santa Rosa • Wakulla • Walton • Washington

| 11/9/2022

Logistics and Distribution

Thanks to its unique panhandle shape and easy access by air, sea and land, Northwest Florida is a logistics super-star. Advantages here include three deep-water ports, four commercial airports, two railroads designated Class 1 and one interstate highway providing easy links to three more.

Among recent developments:

• Amazon’s new 630,000-sq.-ft. robotics fulfillment center currently under construction in Tallahassee anticipates completion by early 2023. The $200-million facility is expected to create 1,350 full-time jobs.

• Construction of a 251,000-sq.-ft. FedEx distribution center in Panama City to service the region from Pensacola to Tallahassee. Opening in fall 2022, the new facility replaces an existing 60,000-sq.-ft. structure; 280 jobs are expected.

• The launching of a $26-million improvement program by Port Panama City, which includes a storage dome to increase capacity for wood pellets manufactured in nearby Jackson County; expansion of its east terminal; and construction of an intermodal distribution center.

KEY PLAYERS: Amazon, Seattle, Wa.; FedEx, Memphis, Tenn.; Port Panama City, Panama City

Airports Rebound and Expand
Northwest Florida’s airline industry took a hard hit during the pandemic, but it is roaring back. In 2021, the region’s four commercial airports reported these best-ever passenger numbers:

• Pensacola International: 2,324,044

• Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport: 1,998,587

• Northwest Florida Beaches International: 1,598,492

• Tallahassee International: 656,192

Tallahassee International: Construction is underway on a $28-million international passenger processing facility featuring a passenger port-of-entry and federal inspection station and other improvements to accommodate international flights.

Pensacola International Airport: City officials are planning a major expansion to include a new concourse, additional loading gates and expanded parking

 

Manufacturing

• Tallahassee-based Danfoss Turbocor has broken ground on a new, 167,000-sq.-ft. facility in Tallahassee. Scheduled for completion in early 2023, the site is expected to triple the firm’s current manufacturing capacity.

• Clearwater-based Purple Square Management is building a 24,500-sq.-ft. commercial bakery and distribution facility at the Okaloosa Industrial Air Park. The company, which operates Popeyes, Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’ and other chains in 10 states, plans to create 60 jobs as a result.

• Central Moloney has chosen Bay County for a $20-million expansion of its manufacturing operations. Headquartered in Pine Bluff, Ark., the company designs and manufactures electrical distribution transformers and transformer component parts for utilities and distribution throughout the U.S.

• Gulf Cables, a manufacturer of the aluminum and copper insulated cables used in utility projects, has opened a 160,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility next to its existing plant at the Santa Rosa County Industrial Park near Milton.

KEY PLAYERS:Central Moloney Components, Pine Bluff, Ark.; Danfoss Turbocor, Tallahassee; Gulf Cables, Milton; Purple Square Management Company, Clearwater

Tags: Business Florida

Florida Business News

Florida Trend Video Pick

The story behind Parkesdale Market’s famous Plant City strawberry shortcakes
The story behind Parkesdale Market’s famous Plant City strawberry shortcakes

Thousands make the pilgrimage to Plant City during strawberry season to eat strawberry shortcakes piled high. From January to the end of March (and if the weather cooperates, April) they line up to taste at Parkesdale Farm Market — part garden center, part produce market and part ice cream shop.

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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