The Stanford Research Institute ranks Florida's physical and technology infrastructure as the best in the nation. It's about to get even better -- thanks to major improvements in rail and air service.
        Leading the way is Jacksonville-based CSX Transportation Inc., the largest freight railroad in the eastern U.S., which is spending more than US$65 million this year to maintain and upgrade its rail network throughout Florida.

Randy Evans

        "Our rail freight network links Florida businesses and industries to the entire nation," says Randy Evans, vice president of real estate and industrial development for CSX. "We are actively engaged in helping the state attract new industries and expand its business base here."
        The money CSX is investing this year will improve the company's infrastructure, including tracks, signals and facilities throughout the state. CSX, which employs more than 6,800 people in Florida, maintains about 1,750 route miles in Florida and operates key facilities in Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando and Pensacola.
        Major industries served by CSX in Florida include food processing, phosphates and fertilizers, forest products and manufactured goods.
        Evans said that part of CSX's expansion strategy is to "work with more companies on establishing distribution centers along our rail lines. For example, we are making inroads with companies such as Home Depot and Lowe's, which need to move large amounts of construction products quickly and cost-effectively."
        CSX works regularly with state and local economic development officials to attract industrial development to Florida. In 2001, CSX assisted on 34 projects that brought $1.7 billion in new plant and equipment investment and 2,284 jobs to the state.
        "We are continuing to see significant new investment by customers on CSX rails, regardless of the weakened economy," added Evans. "Their confidence in our rail service has been converted into significant capital expenditures and new tax bases for the 23 states we serve."
        One notable site location facilitated by CSX last year was the new General Electric plant in Pensacola. GE is investing $50 million into capital investment and creating 201 jobs at the rail-served site, which will transport 210 rail carloads of electric generator materials annually.
        "These new and existing customers are making long-term investments with CSX because it is economical, efficient and an important part of their logistics chain," notes David Hemphill, assistant vice president for industrial and economic development for CSX.
        But rail service isn't the only transportation service expanding in the Sunshine State. Around Florida, several major airport expansion projects are making headlines, including an $800-million expansion at the Orlando International Airport and a $350-million expansion at Fort Myers' Southwest Florida International Airport.
        The most ambitious infrastructure investment, however, may be the brand-new Panama City-Bay County (PCBC) International Airport in Northwest Florida.
        One of only five major commercial airports to open in the U.S. since 1974, this project came about thanks to a substantial donation of land from the Jacksonville-based St. Joe Company.
        Plans call for the new 4,000-acre (1,620-hectare) airport to open in Panama City by 2006 and provide direct-flight access to most of the nation's major cities. The airport will feature an 8,400-foot main runway for commercial traffic and a 4,400-foot crosswind runway for general aviation.
        The project represents a major improvement for the city's airport, which currently has a 6,300-foot runway with only a 57-foot safety area in one direction and an 850-foot safety area in the other direction -- both of which fall below FAA standards adopted in 1988.
        The project will cost at least $210 million, with three sources contributing $70 million each: the FAA, the state and local sources. If the needed FAA approvals fall into place, land preparation could begin in 2003.
        Other major infrastructure projects around Florida include the following:
        • The 20-acre (8-hectare) Dome Industrial Park District in downtown St. Petersburg. The triangle-shaped section of land just west of Tropicana Field is being repositioned as a drawing card for advanced manufacturing and other high-tech companies.
        Cindy Margiotta, economic development manager for the City of St. Petersburg, says the city will issue an RFP for the project site on Sept. 1 that will include plans for a business development center and incubator. The district currently is home to circuit board manufacturer Elreha Inc., window film manufacturer Film Technologies, the St. Petersburg Clay Co. and two food processors.
        Projects in the Dome Industrial District will be eligible for Enterprise Zone Incentives including sales and use tax credits, corporate income tax credits, business equipment refunds, building materials refunds, property tax credits and community contribution tax credits.
        • The 400-acre (162-hectare) Xentury City master-planned development in Osceola County on the west side of Orlando. The site at Interstate 4 and the GreeneWay (State Road 417) recently won a bid to develop the new $100-million Osceola County Convention Center, which will include a 700-to-1,000-room hotel flagged by either Sheraton or Westin.
        Susan Lawrence, vice president of Xentury City Development Co., said the project would also feature an office village designed for biomedical companies and other high-tech firms.
        • Two new master-planned sites in North Port in Sarasota County -- a 1,000-acre (405-hectare) business park and a 3,000-acre (1,215-hectare) complex -- just five miles from Port Charlotte. "These are the only two undeveloped exits off I-75 between Tampa and Naples," said Bob Tunis, economic development manager for the City of North Port.
        • The recent approval of plans to add up to 3 million sq. ft. (279,000 sq. m.) of commercial space to The Villages, a sprawling community of retirees and businesses in Lady Lake about 60 miles northwest of Orlando.
        The $1-billion master plan will include new offices, retail construction, residential housing, medical facilities and other businesses, and potentially could expand the community's population to 100,000 people by 2022.
        • A five-year, mixed-use redevelopment of downtown Tampa that includes $6 billion in new construction. A centerpiece of the program is a $53-million plan for a new light-rail system that will use streetcars to connect travelers from the city's new cruise ship terminals to the Channel District and downtown.
        • The Alter Group's 145-acre (59-hectare) International Park at World Golf Village. Project features include a four-story corporate, Class A office building of 100,000 sq. ft. (9,300 sq. m.), designed for high-tech firms; a Comfort Suites hotel; immediate access to I-95 near St. Augustine in St. Johns County; and plenty of available land for future development of industrial warehouse space.
        • A 60,000-sq.-ft. (5,580-sq.-m.) medical office complex and 120-bed, 180,000-sq.-ft. (16,740-sq.-m.) hospital in Lakewood Ranch, a large master-planned development in Manatee and Sarasota counties.