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Panhandle Counties Partner On Freight Logistics Zone

Rep. Alexander and Sen. Montford (3rd and 4th from right) with local officials.
Nick Evans

Gulf, Gadsden, Liberty and Franklin Counties are teaming up to improve regional infrastructure.  The partnership connects the Gulf of Mexico to Interstate 10.

The Panhandle counties are forming what’s known as a freight logistics zone.  Working together gives the area higher priority when it comes to state funding and incentives, and Sen. Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee) believes that could help grow the local economy.

“This is the way to address the crisis that we’re facing,” Montford says.  “We need jobs in North Florida, we need economic development in North Florida, this project is a way that we can get it done.”

Rep. Ramon Alexander (D-Tallahassee) says, “We’re strategically located in order to move resources and create opportunities to expand infrastructure and build out our economic development plan.”

“And so where we are,” he goes on, “with the Interstate, access to rail, access to water—it is absolutely paramount that we capitalize on that.”

Local leaders believe the region is naturally inclined to freight and shipping with its access to the Gulf of Mexico, rail lines and Interstate 10.

Nick Evans came to Tallahassee to pursue a masters in communications at Florida State University. He graduated in 2014, but not before picking up an internship at WFSU. While he worked on his degree Nick moved from intern, to part-timer, to full-time reporter. Before moving to Tallahassee, Nick lived in and around the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. He listens to far too many podcasts and is a die-hard 49ers football fan. When Nick’s not at work he likes to cook, play music and read.