Future Growth

Industrial Canal

Deep Water Port

Renewable Energy

Educated Workforce

Tyndall Air Force Base

New International Airport

Top-Ranked Public Schools

NEW HORIZONSA changing economy has created opportunity.

Innovative companies are rethinking their strategies and exploring

new frontiers to secure strong market positions for future growth.

In response to this global demand for renewable energy as an

example, Gulf County is positioned to respond to this demand based

on the assets in our community. Assets such as a deep water Port,

an industrial canal capable of barge traffic that connects the Gulf

of Mexico with the Inter-Coastal Waterway, abundant fresh water

supply, excess waste capacity, excess power and natural gas capacity,

and biomass woody feedstock.

In addition, Northwest Florida’s Gulf County is uniquely positioned

for success with a new Sacred Heart hospital, an educated workforce

and top ranked public schools. Growth potential in the region is

excellent with Tyndall Air Force Base just minutes away and the first

new international airport in the United States in over a decade.

Gulf County is located 22 miles east of Panama, City Florida and

just two hours from the state capital of Tallahassee. The Gulf County

Economic Development Council, a Public-Private Partnership is

actively seeking and reaching out to a wide range of strategic partners

and is eager to assist in business attraction and expansion as well

as helping local companies to grow. We invite you to take a look at

exciting opportunities unfolding that will change the way you think

about doing business along the beaches of Northwest Florida.

Deep Water Port & Intracoastal Waterway

Sacred Heart Hospital, Port St. Joe

Gulf Coast Community College

Panama City International Airport

Apalachicola Airport with 5,000-foot runway Port St. Joe Commerce Park

Green Energy

Apalachicola Northern Railroad System

Demographics & Incentives

TRANSPORTATIONHighways: U.S. Highway 98 and State Route 30, 71 and 22

Ports: Port of Port St. Joe is now undertaking significant upgrades to handle a variety of shipping formats. County is traversed by the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Air: Commercial service available nearby at the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). General aviation service available at Costin Airport (A51).

Rail: Industrial service via AN Railway; nearby connection to CSX Transportation.

EDUCATIONGulf County District Schools boast graduation rates that are among Florida’s highest.Gulf Coast Community College’s Port St. Joe campus offers vocational programs, college transfer courses and continuing education.

Nearby, Florida State University – Panama City Campus provides undergraduate and graduate degrees across a broad array of disciplines.

EMPLOYMENT DISTRIBUTIONConstruction: .............................. 9%Manufacturing: ........................... 5%Trade/Transport./Utilities: ........ 18%Information: ................................ 2%Financial: ..................................... 7%Education & Health Services: .... 10%Leisure & Hospitality: ................. 14%Public Administration: ............... 19%Business/Other Services: ........... 15%

Location: Part of Panama City MSA and panhandle; 77 miles southwest of Tallahassee

Land Area: 555 Sq. miles (1437.44 sq. kms)

Population: 16,351 (2010, est)

Workforce (50 mile radius): 115,535 (2009, est.)

Unemployment Rate: 11.8 percent (March 2010)

Average Household Income: $45,581 (2010, est.)

Age Distribution:19 and under: ................ 21%20 – 24: ........................... 6%25 – 34: ........................... 13%35 – 44: ........................... 15%45 – 54: ........................... 15%55 – 64: ........................... 13%65 and over: ................... 18%

GULF COUNTY, FLORIDA

MAJOR COMMUNITY ASSETSRailIndustrial CanalInter-coastal WaterwayAbundant LandAbundant Freshwater SupplyExcess Waste Water CapacityExcess Electrical Power and Natural Gas

ENTERPRISE ZONE INCENTIVESJobs Tax Credit (Sales & Use Tax/Corporate Income Tax)Building Materials Sales Tax RefundBusiness Equipment Sales Tax RefundProperty Tax Credit (Corporate Income Tax)Community Contribution Tax Credit

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES (STATE)State-wide Financial IncentivesWorkforce TrainingRural Infrastructure FundSpecial OpportunityState-wide Access to Capital

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES (LOCAL)City of Port St. Joe Economic Development IncentiveGulf County Economic Development IncentiveGCEDC Business Opportunity Loan FundGCEDC/ARPC Revolving Loan Fund

QUALITY OF LIFEGulf County’s outdoor recreation includes deep-sea and freshwater fishing, golf, hunting, boating and tennis.

Newly constructed Sacred Heart Hospital on the Gulf provides state-of-the-art emergency services, surgical care and out-patient treatments.

Sources: Gulf County Economic Development Council; Enterprise Florida; Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation; US Census Bureau

SAFE HARBORA sustainable workforce requires more than a paycheck.

Gulf County, Florida is a place where both businesses and families

can thrive. Visitors are increasingly discovering our upbeat, down

home way of life and becoming residents. You’ll find some of the

friendliest people you’ve ever met here—we think it’s contagious

because it’s not just the locals who wave anymore!

Like a giant arm, the 17-mile long St. Joseph Peninsula State

Park—home to America’s #1-Ranked Beach, 2002, for its towering

white sand dunes—curves around to protect our coastline and

quality of life. Nearby Panama City offers all the conveniences of

an urban neighbor, with just the right touch of distance for restful

seclusion. In fact, our area was dubbed Florida’s Forgotten Coast

when state tourism officials left it off a map in 1995. But, ever

since the word has gotten out with a thriving arts community,

abundant parks, recreation, walking and biking trails. From the

world-class freshwater fishing of Wewahitchka to the historic,

waterfront Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas, Gulf County offers

something for all.

Scalloping in St. Joseph Bay

Florida’s Friendliest Marina

Historic Downtown Port St. Joe St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

America’s #1-Ranked Beach, 2002

St. Joseph Bay Country Club

Purple PrideWewahitchka’s Dead Lakes

Annual Plein Air Paint-Out

Crossroads of Gulf of Mexico & Intracoastal Waterway

Beacon HillSt. Joe Beach

White City

Honeyville

to Wewahitchkato Panama City International Airport

to Apalachicola

WindMark Beach

HighlandView

Port St. Joe

St. Joseph Bay

Apalachicola Bay

LakeWimico

Gulf of Mexico

Lighthouse •

Loggerhead Run • Bike Trail

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park

Port St. Joe MarinaPort Inn

MainStay Suites

Gulf Coast Community College

Sacred Heart Hospital

and Interstate 10

Intracoastal Waterway

Eagle Harbor

St. Joseph Bay Country Club

Costin Airport

Apalachicola Airport

Apalachicola National

Forest

St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

St. Joe

Can

al

Cape San Blas

Indian Pass

Mexico Beach

386

98

98

71

30A

30A

30E

For more information on business incentives, Enterprise Zones, labor force & county demographics, visit:

www.gulfcountyedc.org

info@gulfcountyedc.org

406 Marina DrivePort St. Joe, FL 32456

850-229-1901 PHONE

FAX

EMAIL

ADDRESS

850-229-1905

TallahasseePanama

City

Gulf County

Produced in partnership with the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and the Gulf County Economic Development Council.

GULF COUNTY, FLORIDA