Rural Cities Outside of the 6 Counties

Rural Community Outside of the 6 Counties

Major strengths and attributes of our region

Business Attributes

•   Central location provides convenient access to Florida and to North America by way of easy access to multiple metropolitan areas, international airports and deep seaports.
• 14 deepwater seaports
• 19 commercial airports
• 2 commercially licensed spaceports
• A consumptive population of 15 million is within an hour’s radius.
• 3.5 million workers live within a 1-hour commute of our region.
• Roads with less congestion. Traversing through or near the region are:
• Three Interstate Highways
• One Florida Turnpike
• Four U.S. Highways and
• 12 State Roads
• Available land is competitively priced for doing business.
• The Sate of Florida offers a process of streamlined permitting. Certified Projects receive many benefits, including pre-application meeting of regulatory agencies and business representative held within 14 days after eligibility determination.
• Workforce training and higher education institutions (see assets blow).
• Tax incentives unique to rural counties (see below).
•  It costs less to do business in Florida because of Florida's limited corporate taxes and no personal income tax.

Tourism Attributes

• Picturesque, natural environment with an abundance of freshwater streams, rivers and lakes, and native flora and fauna.
• Lake Okeechobee is the largest freshwater lake in Florida, and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the lower 48 states.
• Abundant opportunities for nature-based tourism: bird watching, photography, stargazing, camping, boating, paddling, hiking, hunting, fishing, visiting parks, and bicycling.
• The region is inland and has a higher elevation, which protects us from costal flooding.
• Temperatures stay moderate year round; a mix of subtropical and tropical climate conducive to many outdoor sports, especially golf.
• Friendly, small towns rich with local history and abundant natural, cultural