Enhancing Appeal

Back in 1989, community planners realized that if there wasn’t a purposeful plan in place, Tallahassee would end up a sprawling hodge-podge of suburbs surviving only on state government. Equally concerning was that the city’s sense of place — it’s magnificent live oaks, pristine lakes, and greenways — would disappear.

Tallahasseans agreed at the ballot box, approving a penny sales tax, the first of three city sales tax initiatives to strategically invest in infrastructure and economic and quality of life projects to enhance the city’s appeal. The latest initiative, starting in 2020, will invest $1.1 billion in projects over the next 20 years.

The Fastest Growing Economy per Capita in Florida

Those early efforts are paying off with economic opportunities growing daily. The Greater Tallahassee area has the fastest growing economy per capita in Florida according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The growth rate is twice that of the state and nearly three times that of the country. Signs of progress can be seen all over town. Private development, a driving force strengthening and diversifying the local economy, is thriving in the city and signals a positive outlook for the next couple of years.

“The beauty of Tallahassee is that it’s a young town with a lot of interconnectivity where someone can come in and make an impact right away,” says Mark O’Bryant, CEO of Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

Scattered throughout Tallahassee are hundreds of development projects to increase housing options for residents. Balancing development with neighborhood preservation and the implementation of an Urban Forest Master Plan will continue to be a priority. “The increasing economic vitality of Tallahassee-Leon County speaks to the impact of our good initiatives and bodes very well for our future economic health,” says Ben Pingree, director of Tallahassee- Leon County Department of Planning, Land Management and Community Enhancement (PLACE).

As the “Magnetic Capital of the World,” Tallahassee’s National High Magnetic Field Laboratory continues to attract elite researchers and scientists and, in turn, laboratories and corporations keen on using the cutting edge research to innovate. Manufacturing is thriving and projected to grow steadily through 2022, employing degreed and skilled labor across a variety of disciplines. Establishments such as Danfoss Turbocor, Coastal Forest Resources, General Dynamics Land Systems, St. Marks Powder, BASF Corporation, and Chromalloy Component Services represent a variety of manufacturing sub-sectors as the region supplies wood, printing and graphics, food, chemical, mineral, metal, machinery, computer, and other products to the rest of the U.S. and the world.

A dynamic gov-tech community has sprung up. “Tallahassee has a lot of software and IT solutions providers specifically serving government agencies,” says Lester Hutt, director of recruiting and community outreach at Diverse Computing, “but what makes this area so interesting is that communication networks are forming among the different silos including the community, universities, government, and private companies. We aren’t competing against each other but growing together in a collaborative ecosystem.”

Graduates from the area’s top-ranked programs at Florida State University and Florida A&M University are staying because of programs that cultivate budding entrepreneurs. “Our city is a story of solid growth that’s led by a community investment focused on building a robust and balanced physical infrastructure for the future,” says Steve Evans, chairman of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality’s Economic Vitality Leadership Council.

A Decidedly Different City

There’s a saying that Florida is the only state that becomes more Southern the further north you go. Spend some time in Tallahassee and you’ll soon understand why. The Capital City exudes Southern charm — blame it on the laidback atmosphere, live oak canopies, and friendly welcome you’ll receive. In fact, Tallahassee is one of Southern Living’s 2019 top 10 picks for favorite cities in the South, along with Savannah, Greenville, and Austin.

But don’t let its Southern drawl fool you. This decidedly different approach has resulted in a decidedly different city.

Tallahassee has both Florida progressiveness and Southern charm — 30 minutes from the coast but a place with hills and a change of seasons.

It’s provincial but also progressive. Folks are nice but they’re also pretty darn smart — Tallahassee’s Greater metropolitan area is home to the most educated workforce in Florida, and 45% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

The quality of life can’t be beat — a short commute time, world-class schools, myriad cultural and sporting activities, a nationally-ranked park and trail system, fabulous weather, an international airport, and close proximity to beaches, national forests, and state parks are but a few of the amenities offered. And it’s affordable: Both families and retirees are moving to Tallahassee because of the low cost of living, still around $190,000 for a single family home.

“Other Cities Should be Coming to Study Us”

Ron Sachs, a Miami native, has intentionally chosen to keep his business headquarters in Tallahassee. Now in its 24th year, his strategic communications firm, Sachs Media Group, was named the 2018 PRNews Firm of the Year.

“This is such a great place to start and grow a business that other cities should be coming here to study us,” says Sachs. “The reason I’m here is for the people and place. Tallahassee may be the capital of state government, but it’s also the capital of quality of life in all of Florida.”

Looking for a decidedly different place to work and live?

Welcome to Tallahassee.