Florida Taxwatch Issues Report On ‘The Bluffs’ 15,000 Job Plan For Cantonment

March 10, 2017

A new report by Florida TaxWatch finds that the growth of high-tech manufacturing is beneficial to Florida and that investing in the industry now can put the state ahead of competitor states in enticing companies to the state.

Florida TaxWatch analyzed the potential impact of The Bluffs, a project being developed in Cantonment that aims to be the nation’s premier industrial campus. TaxWatch data found that the new direct employment associated with The Bluffs would be an estimated 6,000 jobs, with an additional 9,000 jobs created indirectly, and that the full development of the project could result in $1.1 billion in additional Gross State Product for Florida’s economy.

The 6,000 acre master-planned development area includes about 1,700 acres of land that can be developed in an area east of Highway 29 bordered by the Escambia River to the east, Becks Lake Road near International Paper to the north, and the University of West Florida to the south. Although located along the Escambia River, most of the property to be developed is at a high elevation, about 100 feet above sea level, and not in a flood plain.

“Today’s global economy is becoming increasingly high-tech and in order for Florida to continue to be competitive, it must invest in high-tech manufacturing hubs,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Projects like The Bluffs provide Floridians with high-wage jobs and will significantly benefit the state’s economy. Continuous investments by businesses and the state will go a long way in securing long-term growth of the high-tech manufacturing sector and make Florida the destination for those in the industry.”
Minimally, the project is expected to recruit approximately 10 companies that would occupy more than 3.9 million square feet of building space on 295 acres of land which will be significant to Escambia County and the regional economy.

“High-tech manufacturing is a major job creator in the Panhandle and developments like The Bluffs will continue to drive Florida into the 21st century global economy,” said Senator Doug Broxson. “Growing The Bluffs into a premier industrial campus is crucial in increasing our competitiveness and diversifying our economy.”

“The Bluffs will become a significant job creator for the Pensacola area and further diversify the area’s growing high-tech manufacturing sector. I’m pleased that Florida TaxWatch’s latest report analyzes the positive economic impact of this project and I look forward to The Bluffs development into one of the nation’s premier industrial campus,” said Representative Clay Ingram.

“High-wage, competitive jobs are critical in today’s global economy and Florida needs to position itself as a top destination for high-tech manufacturing,” said Representative Frank White. “The Bluffs is just one of many developments that will allow the private sector to create jobs, grow our economy and move Florida forward.”

The report recommends that the state invests public funds into infrastructure in order to facilitate the growth of high-tech manufacturing hubs; while continuing to work with private entities to ensure that long-term growth potential is met and ensure the state beats out other states vying for these high-tech manufacturing companies.

The project site plan for The Bluffs includes four primary development areas. The area known as “Live Oak Bluff” is likely to see the first development, he said. It is about 415 acres with 13 lots in an area that is currently accessible from Becks Lake Road. A Muscogee Road freight corridor is already in the works, expanding access from Becks Lake Road and Highway 29 to an upcoming I-10 exit in Beulah.

The plans also include making the campus an “environmental showcase” ensuring that the natural beauty of The Bluffs is preserved by building natural trails and encouraging green features for new tenants.

The effort includes partners already located in the corridor – Ascend, ECUA, Gulf Power and the University of West Florida – along with the PEDC,the Florida West Economic Alliance and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Florida TaxWatch is the state’s independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute and government watchdog.

Pictured top and below: Aerial concept maps show The Bluffs, click to enlarge to read map labels. Pictured bottom inset: The Bluffs will be designed to be an environmental showcase. Pictured bottom: Conceptual drawing of Live Oak Bluff, the likely first area to be developed off Becks Lake Road. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

20 Responses to “Florida Taxwatch Issues Report On ‘The Bluffs’ 15,000 Job Plan For Cantonment”

  1. john on March 14th, 2017 6:42 am

    Why don’t they first secure some contracts, THEN build it!!!! Someone’s been watching ‘Field Of Dreams’ too many times!!! It does sound like some scheme to line someone’s pocket, or their buddies who owns a construction company or land clearing business.

  2. Debra on March 13th, 2017 2:57 pm

    Didn’t they already try a hi-tech park down by the civic center that still is completely void of any businesses? What about the industrial park that is already on 29? I would be willing to bet that if you followed the money you could see what this is all about. What a waste of natural resources.

  3. Patsy W Marquis on March 12th, 2017 12:46 am

    I think this is the best thing that could happen to this area.. Bringing jobs to this area is great.. For instant, I have a daughter graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in 2 semesters.. Great job opportunities here at home.. Will help the economy greatly.. Life does change, nothing ever stays the same..

  4. Jack Ruby on March 12th, 2017 12:43 am

    This is a large payola project that will expend tens of millions of dollars for plans and drawings but nobody will ever see any earth turned on this project. Funny how this plan sounds just like all those plans to develop north of UWF. And also the big road plan paid for with tax increment financing. Good thing the voters didn’t fall for that one! They had experts out the Wahoo, and time has shown they were all wrong.

  5. Phillip on March 11th, 2017 9:16 pm

    We really need to focus on revitalizing existing developed areas instead of moving to new real estate

  6. Dennis Qualls on March 11th, 2017 6:47 pm

    Not good idea, leave the wilderness alone, other places for plants, Polution will come for sure, Once gone will never be the same. Follow the money !!!! Our beach was once a beautiful place an now concrete jungle !!!! So Sad !!!!!

  7. Rodney on March 11th, 2017 11:53 am

    I challenge those in favor of this construction and those providing opinions on how well this will benefit the area to name one project in Escambia county that has created as many jobs as was initially projected.

  8. chris on March 11th, 2017 9:27 am

    “WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO LOOK AT THE CENTURY AREA” They probably did look at Century. It does not seem that Century has the vision, the infrastructure, or the existing work force to support a project this big. A town that cannot support fast food or gas stations most likely is not a viable candidate for a high tech manufacturing facility.

  9. WHISPERJET on March 11th, 2017 7:44 am

    JOBS ARE ESSENTIAL , AND WE ALL KNOW THIS..BUT WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE ENVIORNMENT..BIG ROCK CREEK IS THE SOUTHERN MOST , FREE FLOWING CREEK IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY..AND SO FAR , IT IS STILL PRETTY MUCH POLUTION FREE…EVEN NOW , HUNDREDS OF TREES ARE BEING DESTROYED ON BECKS.LAKE ROAD RIGHT ACROSS FROM ROADS INC…ACREAS OF ASPHAULT MOUNDS ARE GROWING EAST OF THE CSX TRACKS THERE..THIS ALL DRAINS INTO BIG BOCK CREEK.

  10. Chris in Molino on March 10th, 2017 11:08 pm

    Good for the yuppies who desperately want this (the downtown polical clique and suburban hippies)
    Bad for country folk that love the country and quiet. Bad for those who’s way of life will be killed or severely impaired. It will essentially push Ensley to Molino. Already got enough texting hunters and fools with 150hp bass boats on our tiny river who wanna play country but want a Starbucks on the corner. Sad.

  11. Northend resident fl on March 10th, 2017 9:36 pm

    Cannot believe people would be so negative about possible businesses coming to Cantonment. We need jobs! I live in Walnut Hill area and if you had to ever drive 50 miles to pensacola to get a decent job you would be thankful too.

  12. slim jim on March 10th, 2017 5:06 pm

    WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO LOOK AT THE CENTURY AREA AND PUT SOME
    JOBS THERE WHERE PEOPLE WANT HAVE TO DRIVE 100 MILES A DAY
    TO WORK

  13. EPenn on March 10th, 2017 4:56 pm

    So, who are the new tenants of The Bluffs going to be which will create all these new jobs? It doesn’t say does it… do they have any companies commit to it yet? Build it and they will come hasn’t worked so well in the past, just saying…

  14. david lamb on March 10th, 2017 3:03 pm

    This development is getting close to the backside of Big Rock Creek and the natural beauty of the Escambia River basin . Care needs to be taken in the removal of the trees and habitat of this area There are Indian mounds and burial grounds and other native heritage that need preserved.
    It is my contention that “so called” global warming is more to the removal of trees and habitat that gives off oxygen than to gas emissions—-PLANT MORE TREES!
    Bare Earth is not good stewardship!

  15. Calvin qualls on March 10th, 2017 12:29 pm

    I think its a great idea we need jobs in this area it will help economy

  16. resident on March 10th, 2017 9:43 am

    I don’t mean to sound negative, but I don’t really see Cantonment as the home for “the nation’s premier industrial campus”. I mean, will Motorola move from Research Triangle Park in NC to Cantonment? 6000 jobs sounds like some very ambitious marketing speak. As others have mentioned, the industrial park off Hwy 29 is over a decade old and mostly empty.

  17. bartender on March 10th, 2017 9:23 am

    so stupied when the county put all that money on hwy 29.the industrial park and there are a couple of companies in there.why dont they delvelope that instead of wasting more money.its got paved streets and ready for companies.if the county would give more brakes to companies they wouldnt all be going to ala to start their business.all they care about is the beach.we need good paying jobs here.not everyone wants to work at walmart on every corner.

  18. Southerner on March 10th, 2017 9:16 am

    Just because it is built does not insure that it will be occupied.

  19. Cliff Disney on March 10th, 2017 9:14 am

    Great opportunity for the area if researched and developed properly.

  20. Semi Noles on March 10th, 2017 7:33 am

    There is to many commercial and industrial sites already in place in the Pensacola area is Saufley Field etc.Why and Who is pushing this once again BAD Idea. Follow the money and where and how dose the public speak out on this issue. This area is one of the last undisturbed parcels of land. Also I haven’t seen any archaeological study’s there is know Indian burial grounds all around there. Bad Idea Bad

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News