Overview of
Nassau County
Nassau County combines strategic industrial sites, dual Class I rail, interstate access and the Port of Fernandina to support manufacturing and logistics operations. A high quality of life, coupled with Florida Rural Area of Opportunity incentives, makes it an attractive location for business investment and talent.
98K
Population
1.8K acres
Crawford Diamond Industrial Park
46.4K+
Labor Force
32.6%
Labor Force Growth
(2014-2024)17M+ sq ft
Entitled Heavy Industrial & Commercial Space
Advantages of Nassau County
Crawford Diamond Industrial Park
Florida’s only certified megasite with dual Class I rail frontage — CSX and Norfolk Southern — on a single 1,800-acre property. Shovel-ready with 100 MW peak electric capacity and approved for up to 10.5 million square feet of heavy industrial use. No height, noise or building restrictions.
Multimodal Connectivity
I-95, I-10 and US-301 provide immediate interstate access. The Port of Fernandina — a natural deep-water port with a 36-foot channel draft — handles steel, forest products, containerized cargo and more. Four additional deep-water ports are within a two-hour drive.
Rural Area of Opportunity Incentives
Nassau County’s state designation as a Rural Area of Opportunity unlocks enhanced incentive tiers: minimum $6,000 per job created under the Qualified Target Industry program, Rural Job Tax Credits, expedited permitting and infrastructure grants from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.
Military-Connected Workforce
Proximity to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (Georgia) fuels a steady pipeline of skilled, disciplined and security-cleared talent — a particular advantage for defense, manufacturing and logistics operations.
17M+ Square Feet of Entitled Space
Nassau County has pre-entitled more than 17 million square feet of heavy industrial and commercial space, dramatically reducing development timelines and regulatory risk for new and expanding operations.
Growth-Ready Infrastructure
The Wildlight master-planned community, developed by Rayonier on 24,000 acres, is delivering homes, retail, medical services and schools alongside industrial growth — ensuring workforce housing and quality of life keep pace with economic expansion.
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Key Industries
Nassau County's economy is anchored by advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, with Rayonier helping lead one of the county's long-standing forest products industries. The Port of Fernandina, dual Class I rail service and strategic interstate access support industrial growth, while defense, health care and tourism continue to diversify the local economy.
Advanced Manufacturing
Industrial-ready sites, multimodal transportation assets and a skilled workforce support advanced manufacturing across a range of industries.
Forest Products & Paper
A long history of timber production, abundant natural resources and established manufacturers make forest products and paper a cornerstone of the local economy.
Transportation & Logistics
Dual Class I rail, two interstate highways and the Port of Fernandina provide efficient access to domestic and international markets.
Defense & Government
Proximity to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and Northeast Florida's military installations supports a strong defense workforce and government contracting opportunities.
Health Care
Regional health care providers and continued population growth are driving investment in health care services and medical facilities.
Tourism & Hospitality
Amelia Island's world-renowned beaches, luxury resorts and historic downtown Fernandina Beach make tourism and hospitality a major economic driver.
Major Employers
Stories of Success
Rayonier & Wildlight
Nassau
Corporate Operations
Roots That Built a County
Rayonier’s history in Nassau County stretches back to the 1930s. Today, the company operates one of the region’s largest pulp facilities and serves as master developer of Wildlight — a 24,000-acre master-planned community designed to grow alongside Nassau County’s expanding economy. Their real estate subsidiary, TerraPointe, also owns and manages Crawford Diamond Industrial Park, the county’s certified industrial megasite.
“The Jacksonville region has always been important to Rayonier. We've been able to thrive here because of the area's business culture, the availability of skilled talent and the quality of life that allows us to attract people from around the country.”
Mike Bell
Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications, Rayonier
Available Sites
Find Your Site in Nassau County
From shovel-ready megasite acreage to industrial parks and commercial land, Nassau County has the space your operation needs — ready when you are.
Talk with Local Contacts
Nassau County Economic Development Board
Sherri Mitchell, Executive Director
Let's Talk
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