With Its First Tenant, Our North Florida Mega Industrial Park Marks a Major Milestone

Gerritt Bancroft, director of operations, middle left, and Nick Bancroft, CEO, middle right, from AgroLiquid, with local members of Future Farmers of America and 4H. They are showing their support for the future of both farming and manufacturing in North Central Florida.

In March, our North Florida Mega Industrial Park welcomed its first tenant, AgroLiquid, a Michigan-based fertilizer manufacturer. The groundbreaking ceremony, where representatives from AgroLiquid, Weyerhaeuser and local, state and federal officials celebrated the milestone by breaking ground with green-bladed shovels, was the culmination of years of planning for the 2,622-acre mega park.

"From environmental impact studies to permitting and infrastructure, it's a long process to get an industrial park ready for business," says Rose Fagler, manager of economic development on our Real Estate Development team. "But the hard work and persistence is paying off. The project is a tremendous community asset that provides jobs and brings capital investment to the region while maintaining its unique rural character."

Strategically located within 10 miles of U.S. Interstates 10 and 75, the North Florida Mega Industrial Park is an approved U.S. Opportunity Zone in north-central Florida's Columbia County. The park is accessible to 17 major ports along the U.S. East Coast and is designated with Jacksonville Port's Foreign Trade Zone #64. It's zoned for 8 million square feet of industrial manufacturing and 100,000 square feet of commercial space.

The North Florida Mega Industrial Park is located in Florida's Columbia County, near Lake City, with easy access to destinations north, south, east and west. Because its location and infrastructure allow it to create economic opportunities in 14 surrounding counties, the state of Florida designated it one of four Rural Areas of Economic Opportunity catalyst sites. Many grants helped get the park ready for tenants.

FORGING CONNECTIONS

The park's development involved extensive efforts to establish crucial logistics links and develop strong infrastructure, including a rail spur that links the park to the Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad, providing direct access to regional and long-haul rail networks.

"Securing approval for this essential rail spur alone took five years," Rose says. "It required extensive collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, which owns the property the spur passes through. Ultimately, we agreed on a land swap: we exchanged 6.27 acres with the USFS and donated an additional 6.08 acres so the USFS could create a 10.2-mile non-motorized trail, part of the Florida National Scenic Trail. In return, they provided 6.27 acres to the county for the initial rail spur, which is 100 feet wide and about 1,270 linear feet long."

This land exchange and donation occurred in 2014, and construction on the spur began a few years later. But it would take until 2022 to put all the pieces together to make the site ready for development by tenants.

Green-spaded shovels and hard hats featuring Weyerhaeuser, AgroLiquid and Columbia County logos are ready to go for the March groundbreaking at our North Florida Mega Industrial Park. Construction of AgroLiquid's facility is supported by a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

THE POWER OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

"This project is a great example of the benefits of public-private partnerships," says Greg Galpin, senior planning manager for development projects. "It wouldn't have happened without the support of the community at large, local officials who secured grants to support critical infrastructure, and state support."

Columbia County is a major investor, along with the state of Florida, which designated it a Rural Area of Economic Opportunity catalyst site - one of only four in Florida - for its ability to activate economic development in an area spanning 14 counties.

In all, about $40 million in direct and indirect grants and internal investments helped ensure the park's infrastructure, which appeals to larger industrial customers like AgroLiquid.

Columbia County Commissioner Ron Williams has championed the project since its inception. Holding back tears, he discussed how the park is helping to shape Columbia County's economic future.

WORKING TOGETHER

"For us, the park's geographic location, access to rail and ready-to-go infrastructure were key considerations," says Gerritt Bancroft, AgroLiquid's operations director.

Gerritt also credits the strong, effective collaboration between Weyerhaeuser and public officials as another important factor in choosing to build within our North Florida Mega Park. Added bonuses were Columbia County's deep agricultural heritage and Weyerhaeuser's sustainability commitment.

Gerritt explains how his father and grandfather founded AgroLiquid on a stewardship philosophy and the idea of borrowing the land from the next generation.

"In that spirit, we build our facilities and run our manufacturing operations to standards that often exceed environmental regulations," Gerritt says. "This location is a great fit for us on so many levels."

Rose Fagler on our Real Estate Development team addresses the media during the March groundbreaking, highlighting the host of opportunities the park brings to the community.

MOVING FORWARD

AgroLiquid purchased about 20 acres at the park and plans to build a 48,355-square-foot manufacturing production facility that will initially employ 10 to15 people.

As construction on the AgroLiquid facility begins, our team and local officials are courting new prospects to the mega park. Many prospects have noted that a strong collaboration between our team and local officials sets the mega park apart from its competition.

"It's been a pleasure working with Weyerhaeuser's team," says Jennifer Daniels, economic development for Columbia County. "It really puts prospects at ease to see the strength of our relationship."

And tenants aren't the only ones who benefit. As the park grows, it will have a ripple effect in terms of job creation and increased spending on local goods and services, benefiting the residents of nearby Lake City and Columbia County at large and supporting our 3 by 30 Sustainability Ambition focusing on Rural Communities.

Columbia County's Ron Williams, Florida's longest-serving county commissioner, has been with the county for over 40 years and championed the project from its inception. At the March groundbreaking, he fought back tears as he talked about his love of community and his hopes for the people he serves.

"The project is about shaping the future," Ron says. "It brings jobs and economic prosperity right to our doorstep while reflecting a tradition of hard work and persistence that Columbia County folks know so well."

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