UF study: Fernandina forest-product mills support nearly 2,900 Nassau County jobs and $1.22 billion in output
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Summary
A University of Florida analysis presented to the Board estimated that three local forest-product manufacturers support 2,883 jobs in Nassau County, $1.218 billion in industry output and roughly $90 million in local, state and federal taxes.
A University of Florida economic-contribution study presented Monday estimated that three forest-product manufacturers operating in the Fernandina Beach area supported 2,883 full-time-equivalent jobs in Nassau County in 2023 and roughly $1.218 billion in industry output.
Dr. Kort (University of Florida Food and Resource Economics), who led the analysis, said the result combines direct, indirect and induced effects — jobs at the mills themselves, jobs in supplier industries and the household spending supported by those employees. "Across these three companies, the total employment supported in Nassau County is 2,883 employees," she told commissioners, adding that the firms sourced roughly 3.4 million tons of round wood logs and chips from a 41-county wood-resource region in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.
Key figures from the presentation: total industry output (sales) of $1,218,000,000; value added (contribution to county gross regional product) of about $442,000,000; and an imputed output multiplier of 1.28, which the study interpreted to mean every dollar of direct industry output supports an additional $0.28 of activity in the local economy. The study also reported roughly $90 million in combined federal, state and local taxes supported by the industry (about $11 million of county and sub-county taxes).
The three companies named in the staff introduction were Lignitec, Ryam and Smurfit WestRock; Eric Schmidt of Smurfit WestRock introduced the UF team and thanked the commissioners for listening. Dr. Kort described the methodology as an InPlan regional economic model using a 2022 database; the analysis reported sales, value added, employee compensation and capital expenditures. The firms reported a combined average capital improvements level of about $136.3 million (2021–2023), including roughly $127 million for equipment and $9 million for buildings.
Commissioners thanked the presenters. Commissioner McCullough said she reviewed the report and valued the research, and Commissioner comments emphasized the firms— role in regional employment and the county—s timber supply chain.
The board did not take formal action on the study, which commissioners said staff would use for economic development outreach and county planning.