Economic Growth Possible East & West In Columbia County
Radio Interview With Jesse Quillen

northfloridanow.com - Fri, Mar 15, 2013 Click here to listen to interview

New Columbia County Economic Development Director, Jesse Quillen, says the biggest obstacle he faced when he took the job was getting the word out about what Columbia County has to offer. It was back in 2011 when Columbia County Commissioners decided to absorb the Industrial Development Authority and bring Economic Development back under its control.
Click here to listen to interview

"Tax abatement plan OK’d"

Lake City Reporter - FRIDAY & SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22 & 23, 2013
      By DEREK GILLIAM dgilliam@lakecityreporter.com

United States Cold Storage received tax exemption on $15.2 million of facility improvements as the company plans to expand its business in Columbia County. The agreement was finalized at Thursday’s county commission meeting.

The tax exemption will be in effect for 10 years, the maximum time allowable by state law.

Jesse Quillin, economic development director, said the company plans to add 105,000 square feet of new space, which will require the company to hire 15 additional employees at a pay rate of 148 percent of the county average. The company will still pay property taxes on its existing property totaling about $216,000, Quillin said.

The Economic Development Advisory Board recommended the county commission approve the project at their last board meeting.

The tax exemption will be for 100 percent of the value added to the property by the $15.2 million improvements.

Parts of the agreement require the company to “provide credible documentation” each year to establish the number of full-time employees working in the expanded business. If the company does not hire the additional 15 employees, the county can revoke the tax exemption.

Currently, United States Cold Storage employs 44 full-time workers. After the expansion, the company will be required to keep 59 employees on full-time status to receive the tax exemption, according to the job creation agreement.

The county’s estimated lost revenue from the tax exemption will be $121,828 for the first year. This year the county will collect more than $17.7 million from taxes based on real property and real estate.

The job creation project between United States Cold Storage and the county was code named “Project Action.”

"Plum Creek and The Rockefeller Group to Pursue Development of 4,722 Acres in the Southeastern U.S."

BusinessWire - January 31, 2013

SEATTlE -- (BUSINESS WIRE)--Plum Creek Timber Company, Inc. (NYSE: PCL), and The Rockefeller Group, the global real estate investment and development company, today announced a memorandum of understanding to evaluate and pursue joint venture development projects on 4,722 acres of land in the southeastern United States owned by Plum Creek.

The initial agreement covers two large tracts of land, including approximately 2,600 acres in Columbia County, Fla., near the municipality of Lake City..

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"Interest in area picking up"

Lake City Reporter - Week of December 9-15, 2012

Columbia County officials have an optimistic look for economic development in the county next year (2013).

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Foundation Announces Columbia County as the First Six Pillars Community in the State of Florida

Florida Chamber Foundation - January 28, 2010

The Florida Chamber Foundation announced that Columbia County has
completed the steps to becoming the first Six Pillars Community in the State of Florida during a press conference today.

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Rural North Florida preparing for opportunities in world trade and manufacturing

Karl Burkhardt, Lake City Journal - December 20, 2010

A massive study by the Florida Chamber Foundation details the efforts to help the state "emerge from a trailing position to become the primary global broker in the center of the hemisphere.”

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Governor-elect Rick Scott comes to town

Sia Nyorkor, Gainesville Television Network - December 13, 2010

Governor-Elect Rick Scott is getting to work. He's hitting 10 cities in 5 days and one of those stops is Lake City. It's all a part of his Jobs Tour.

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Governor-elect Rick Scott Visits Lake City

Alexandra Cowley, WCJB-TV, December 10, 2010

Lake City welcomed Florida's businessman to their community this morning.

Watch on WCJB-TV >