Board backs $6.25 million grant application to build four-lane access road to 700 acres planned for industrial use

The county voted March 10 to submit a Florida Job Growth Grant application requesting $6,250,000 to build a four-lane roadway that would provide access to nearly 700 acres earmarked for industrial and commercial development.

Holly Coyle, the county’s economic resources manager, said the project would connect US 90 across a railroad crossing and include intersection improvements, traffic signalization and a railroad crossing. Staff estimated total project costs at $8,470,000; the developer, represented by Avery Roberts, is expected to provide roughly $2,220,000 of the balance as local match.

Coyle briefed the board on the anticipated economic returns presented in the grant package: a potential capital investment of roughly $2 billion in buildout scenarios and an estimated $29 million in ad valorem tax revenue annually (staff noted the county general fund share would be a portion of that total). Job projections in the applicant materials estimate 1,253 primary jobs in the first 10 years and a further 1,115 jobs over the following five years (2,368 total across 15 years), with secondary employment impacts expected to follow.

Commissioners praised the submittal. “This is probably one of the biggest shots in the arm in Nassau County I’ve seen,” Commissioner Gray said, citing the region’s existing transportation corridors and potential for industrial growth. Commissioner Grama called it “big for Nassau County.” The board voted 5–0 to authorize submission of the grant application.

If the state grant is awarded, the developer match would cover the remainder of the project cost. County staff said the request is time-sensitive and will be submitted according to state deadlines.