Florida’s Capital Looks to Build Magnetic Momentum, Attract Innovative Companies
Home to cutting-edge research centers, one of the top engineering colleges in the state, and world-class universities, Tallahassee is uniquely positioned to cultivate an innovative business environment that thrives on the research and development fostered at these centers of excellence.
The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV), a joint city-county economic development organization, is no stranger to collaboration. Working with ecosystem partners to identify business opportunities and leverage the city’s innovative research, and diverse talent pool, our community produces the best and brightest the state has to offer.
A robust magnetic technology hub with an abundance of resources for business leaders and researchers alike, Tallahassee is a great place to grow a business and a family. With strong industry assets without the high cost of living, Tallahassee is an affordable community to call home. These assets include the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab), the High Performance Materials Institute, the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, and the Center for Advanced Power Systems – all located in Innovation Park of Tallahassee. Simply put, Tallahassee is a great place for innovative people and companies to thrive.
Florida’s Capital is a hub for magnetic technology. “If your company has a focus on magnetic research, high performance materials and related technology, you want to be in Tallahassee,” said OEV Director Cristina Paredes. “We promote and support a positive business environment that makes our community attractive to these companies.”
To capitalize on this growing industry, OEV formed the Magnetic Task Force which brings together existing magnetic technology partners across the community to provide guidance and input on building “magnetic momentum.” Soon thereafter, the “Magnetic Capital of the World” campaign was launched to promote Tallahassee’s magnetic technology assets, which has gained considerable traction over the last several years. Tallahassee and OEV have made magnetic research and technology one of the top economic priorities in Florida’s Capital community.
Prior to the New Year, OEV and Innovation Park of Tallahassee announced that Danfoss Turbocor, the pioneer of the world’s first oil-free magnetic bearing compressor for the HVACR industry, is expanding its Tallahassee manufacturing facility with a multi-million dollar capital investment in a new 90,000 square-foot facility which is expected to create over 240 new manufacturing and R&D jobs.
“We are proud to have made Tallahassee the Danfoss Turbocor headquarters and technology center.” said Ricardo Schneider, president and CEO of Danfoss and Magnetics Task Force Chair. “The MagLab and local Universities offer highly innovative companies like Danfoss Turbocor a great deal of networking with world class, multidisciplinary researchers, and access to unique state of the art lab infrastructure.”
Tallahassee has the space, talent, and opportunity for companies to grow and succeed. Danfoss is a great example of the success that can come when locating a business in Tallahassee, which is why OEV, along with local ecosystem partners, work to create more opportunities to attract innovative companies.
In 2023, Tallahassee will be home to the North Florida Innovation Labs – a $17 million 40,000-square-foot incubator – which will include wet labs, a tissue and bioculture room, engineering/light manufacturing spaces and a lab for prototype development. OEV, along with the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the Florida State University Research Foundation, and the Leon County Research & Development Authority, helped fund the project in an effort to attract and support innovative businesses and retain the wealth of talent that is found in Tallahassee’s colleges and universities.
Tallahassee’s magnetic technology sector has experienced fast-paced growth thanks, in part, to the long-term investment made by OEV and its ecosystem partners. Tallahassee is a world leader in magnetic research and technology as start-ups and established companies develop innovative ideas and cutting-edge products to compete in the global marketplace. From current assets, like the MagLab, to upcoming assets, like the North Florida Innovation Labs, the “magnetic momentum” is gaining in Tallahassee, and the Office of Economic Vitality is ready to welcome you to the attraction.
“The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) – located in Tallahassee, Florida – is the largest and highest-powered magnet lab in the world.”
Exciting Development Activity at Punta Gorda Airport
The Punta Gorda Interstate Airport Park is a 4300-acre, top-notch industrial park surrounding Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Charlotte County, Florida. The park is well placed adjacent to Interstate 75, with two interchanges providing an outstanding opportunity for manufacturing and distribution companies looking to relocate or expand. Our Park offers easy access to major markets like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando as well as international access though major ports located as close as 60 miles, and access to a workforce in excess of 500,000 within a 45-minute drive.
With hundreds of available acres, the Park offers lease or own options on tracts ranging in size from 1 acre to well over 100. The entire Park has a zoning overlay to encourage future development.
The Punta Gorda Airport, recently ranked as the third fastest growing airport in the nation, offers three runways with the longest measuring 7,195’. The Charlotte County Airport Authority recently broke ground on the first phase of Punta Gorda Airport’s Aviation Expansion Area, called PGD AviEx. The first phase is a 650,000-square-foot ramp, or aircraft parking area, and the extension of Taxiway E. Construction began in 2020 and includes the GA Center (including FBO operations), associated access roads and parking, and the site work for 10 larger 60×60 hangars. These larger hangars, along with a new row of 24 T-Hangar units, will likely be constructed during the third phase in 2021. For more information visit www.PGDAviEx.com.
Looking for a skilled labor pool? Our education partners – Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida SouthWestern State College, and Charlotte Technical College offer relevant workforce training to employees, with a commitment to access and diversity. Charlotte Technical College is ready to begin training the next generation of aviation mechanics when their Aviation Airframe Mechanics Program launches this fall. This exciting new program will provide a critical talent pipeline to aviation businesses in Southwest Florida.
Punta Gorda Interstate Airport Park is the place where your business can reach the world and expand its horizons.
Add in great weather year-round and “Top 10 U.S.” rankings for golf, boating and fishing, you can see why more and more companies are landing here.
To explore the possibilities for your company, you can call Dave Gammon, Director of Charlotte County’s Office of Economic Development, at 941.764.4942.
Email: dave.gammon@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.
“The Interstate Airport Park at Punta Gorda Airport is an ideal home for aviation, manufacturing and distribution companies.”
If the Ocala Metro is Not on Your Company’s Search Radar, it Needs to Be!
Located at the crossroads of the Florida peninsula, the Ocala Metro is crossed by I-75 and is met by US Hwy 301 and just north of the Florida Turnpike. These intersections create the connectivity to service Florida’s 22 million and growing population as well as providing ease of access to lower Southeast United States.
Is logistics important to your business? The all-important one-days truck drive (6-hours each way) reaches 34 million people when centered on Ocala. This is a 39% premium over the I-4 corridor and connects Atlanta to Miami. This is key logistical fact is a primary reason companies like Amazon, AutoZone, Chewy, FedEx Ground, McLane, and Dollar Tree have opened new distribution facilities in the area in just the last few years.
Ocala prides itself on delivering facilities and permits almost as quickly as we can speed your logistics. Expediting permitting is not only a goal but a standard operating procedure with local governments committed to partnering to ensure your spending time and capital on actually constructing facilities and not battling city hall. Shovel ready sites in the Metro are truly that – shovel ready. With nearly 2000 acres of fully infrastructured, ready to develop industrial sites, your business can find the site it needs today.
Looking for an existing facility? Currently, the Ocala Metro has nearly 4 million sq ft of spec and build-to-suit industrial in the works. From rear-load multi-tenant space to 1 million sq. ft. of premium cross-dock interstate frontage, your next building is already in development in the Ocala Metro.
But don’t think we are only about moving products. The Ocala Metro is unique in Florida with its strong manufacturing base. Nearly 10% of the local workforce is employed in manufacturing making everything from fire engines to cake sprinkles, missile control systems to laminated glass and everything in between. Key growing sectors in the manufacturing space include food and beverage and medical device.
This diverse and growing economy is one reason the local workforce continues to grow. The Ocala Metro’s population currently exceeds 370,000 people and is one of the 15 fastest growing metros in the nation. You may think Florida is for retirees (and we love our retirees) but the fastest growing segment locally is 30–39-year-olds. The growing economy along with plenty of sunshine and no personal income tax makes the Ocala area a natural for relocating talent from throughout the nation and world.
Finally, the Ocala Metro is not only growing but it is stable. The logistics and manufacturing sectors coupled with the health care, IT, and equine communities (did we mention we are the Horse Capital of the World®), and you can see why the local unemployment rate is well below the state and national averages. In fact, the Ocala Metro is one of only a handful to grow jobs through the pandemic. The more jobs we grow, the more people relocate to this community, the more opportunity for you to find your next workforce.
But don’t just take our word for it. Come visit (in person or virtually) and see for yourself. Learn more at OcalaCEP.com.
