Tallahassee Sun

The City of Tallahassee continues to reach its ambitious goals as it enters the final year of its inaugural five-year Strategic Plan and embarks on its Bicentennial. That was the connecting theme of the Tallahassee City Commission's annual retreat that took place this week. Some of these efforts include leveraging the airport as an economic driver, moving the Southside Action Plan forward and progress on several major City facility construction projects.

The Tallahassee International Airport has increased its economic impact to $859 million, up 43 percent from $599 million in 2019. Total passenger traffic increased from June 2022 to June 2023, with no signs of slowing down as passenger service recently expanded with the addition of JetBlue, TLH's first low-cost carrier. Additionally, plans to lease 100 acres of airport property are underway, which will bring jobs to the community. TLH is on track to achieve its goal to have a $1 billion annual economic impact, which would account for more than 5 percent of the Tallahassee MSA's total GDP.

A major component of TLH's long-term economic impact is construction of the International Processing Facility (IPF). This multi-year, $28 million project will be a major economic driver for the entire region. This terminal expansion will allow TLH to accommodate international flights and provide for goods to be shipped to and received from destinations worldwide. The 40,000-square-foot addition will house a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-approved international Port of Entry and a Federal Inspection Services Facility that will serve both commercial air service and general aviation needs at TLH. Construction of the IPF is slated for completion by the end of the year.

To align with the opening of the IPF, TLH is working toward becoming a fully operational Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) with CBP oversight that will serve up to an 11-county region. The new FTZ will encourage international commerce, stimulate the economy, increase regional job opportunities and bolster the global market competitiveness of the Big Bend. The establishment of a FTZ is underway and anticipated to create more than 1,600 jobs and generate more than $300 million annually in economic impact. Thanks to strategic, long-term planning efforts, Tallahassee is soaring to new heights.

Adopted January 18, 2023, the Southside Action Plan (SAP) provides direction for transformational, community-driven investment in the Southside. Since its adoption, major projects have been underway, including the Southside Transit Center and the Southern Triangle water and sewer infrastructure project, among others. In Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23), $500 million of public funding was allocated to Southside projects, encouraging private investment and opening new avenues, such as the North Florida Innovation Labs.

Investments in public infrastructure and transportation are balanced with preserving the community's character. Through our well-maintained roadways, walkways and public transit facilities, the City fosters community connectivity and supports economic activity. This year, the City secured an unprecedented $36 million in competitive grant funding to transition StarMetro to an all-electric fleet and construct the Southside Transit Center (STC).

Constructing the STC will be transformative for the Southside, which accounts for more than one-third of StarMetro's total ridership. The STC will be a multi-bay, two-story facility with eight covered bays with electric charging stations for fixed route buses; a designated pull-off for paratransit vehicles, Dial-A-Ride rideshare clients and neighborhood circulators; ticketing areas; administrative offices; community meeting space; and more.

The STC will be the first public transit center built in Tallahassee since C.K. Steele Plaza in the 1980s. Community engagement was a priority throughout the design process, leading to StarMetro participating in more than 40 community events and engaging more than 2,000 individuals. The project is currently in the competitive bid process, with construction anticipated later this year.

Other major construction projects include the new Tallahassee Police Department headquarters to be constructed on the former Northwood Mall site; Fire Station 17, which will be located off Lake Bradford Road; and a second Senior Center, which will be located on Welaunee Boulevard.

Last year, more than 690,000 square feet of new commercial space was permitted by the City. Additionally, residents benefit from the City's average permitting review time of 2.51 days, which has been reduced by 80 percent since 2012 through strategic, focused efforts.

Tallahassee is a dynamic and attractive destination for businesses and individuals seeking opportunities in a competitive, innovative and sustainable environment. The City's significant investments in infrastructure, technology, transportation and more are paying off. Learn more at Talgov.com

Original source can be found here.