About Economic Development
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Located halfway between Florida's capital city of Tallahassee and the coastal community of Panama City, Liberty County offers business and lifestyle opportunities that are truly unique. In planning for its future, this community actively works in partnership with the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, the County Government, its residents, and Enterprise Florida, as well as regional partners such as Opportunity Florida and Florida's Great Northwest.
The result is a region whose natural assets are vast areas of forest, rivers and lakes are complimented by a growing array of business assets.
Key Location Assets
- Strong public-private support for business relocation
- Easy access to North Florida, Alabama, and Georgia markets
- Low cost of living
- Development incentives
- A highly-trained regional labor force
- Strong civic and community pride
We Can Make Your Industry Work
As life-long residents and curious visitors readily attest, Liberty County is serious about preserving and nurturing the best of old, natural Florida - the untamed beauty and Southern heritage that give the county its character. At the same time, Liberty County is also serious about its economic future. Working in partnership with Florida's premier economic development agency, Enterprise Florida, Inc., Liberty County offers a wide range of tax incentives to businesses that locate and create new jobs within its Rural Enterprise Zone.
Jobs Tax Credit against corporate income tax or sales and use tax of between 30 and 45 percent of the wages paid to employees in new full-time jobs created by businesses located in Liberty County's Enterprise Zone.
Business Machinery and Equipment Sales Tax Refunds on sales tax paid for certain new or used office equipment, warehouse equipment, and some industrial machinery and equipment used in the Enterprise Zone.
Building Materials Sales Tax Refund of up to $10,000 for rehabilitating real property located in an Enterprise Zone.
Property Tax Credit toward Florida corporate income tax equal to 96 percent of ad valorem taxes paid on the new or improved property located in an Enterprise Zone.
Qualified Target Industries Tax Refund Program of $6,000 per new job created which can reach $8,000 per job for companies paying higher than average wages.
Quick Response Training Program provides new or expanding business grant funding for customized training that is flexible and structured to respond quickly to meet business training objectives.
Assistance with Site Selection is available through the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce to companies interested in identifying land suitable to relocation or expansion efforts. Liberty County's air, rail, ports and interstate connectors can put you and your product anywhere in the world.
Easy Access To The World
Nestled in the heart of Florida's booming Panhandle region, Liberty County boasts quick and easy access to the state's transportation networks. Crisscrossed by well-maintained roads and highways, the county quickly links businesses to Florida's and the country's interstate system. By air, the Tallahassee Regional Airport can put any person and any product anywhere in the world. Nearby deep sea ports and overland rail options round out Liberty's transportation alternatives.
Water - The nearest deepwater port is located at Panama City, just 53 miles southwest of Liberty County.
Highways - The major east-west highway serving Liberty County is State Road 20, which connects Panama City and the State Capital at Tallahassee, both approximately 45 miles away. State Road 12 provides a quick link to Interstate 10 and U.S. 90 to the north. Four major trucking lines service the county.
Rail - The AN Railroad (LLC), a class 11 carrier, travels north-south through the county passing through Telogia, Hosford, and the industrial site north of Hosford. Its principal terminal is in Port St. Joe and it joins CSX Railroad at Chattahoochee to the north.
Air - Convenient commercial air service is available in Tallahassee and Panama City, both approximately 45 miles from Bristol, and Dothan, Alabama, approximately 60 miles away. Businesses can also access a nearby 3,700-foot grass landing strip for smaller aircraft.
High-Tech and Low Profile
Although maintaining a relatively low profile, Liberty County offers a surprising and uniquely advantageous blend of two worlds - the sprawling, natural wonderland in the heart of the Apalachicola National Forest, just minutes away from some of Florida's most sought after high technology resources.
Florida's State University System has made the Sunshine State a prime location for high technology and R&D partnerships. Wise businesses are discovering ways to leverage funding and resources with such top research institutions as Florida State University, Florida A&M University and the University of Florida.
Liberty County, less than an hour's drive away from two of Florida's premier universities, makes it easy to access leading-edge technologies that have gained worldwide attention.
Scientific Research & Nearby Facilities
Quietly situated in the pristine Apalachicola National Forest, Liberty County also offers close proximity to some of the world's most renowned research institutes and laboratories:
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
- FSU School of Computer Science and IT
- Florida A&M University/FSU College of Engineering
- FSU Office of Research Technology Transfer
- FSU School of Medicine
- FAMU Business Development Center
- FSU Institute for International Cooperative Environmental Research
- FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
