Why Rural Florida?
Florida’s Rural Areas of Opportunity (RAOs) offer compelling advantages for doing business.
Including available sites and facilities, modern infrastructure, a skilled workforce, strong educational institutions, proximity to major markets, and competitive costs. In our RAOs, innovation takes root, collaboration drives progress, and businesses thrive.
Rural Florida Advantages
A rural Florida location provides access to one of the world’s top markets. If Florida were a country, it would rank as the sixteenth-largest economy in the world.
Florida offers one of the nation’s most favorable business climates—ranked fourth for most favorable tax environment, with zero state income tax. In rural Florida, those advantages go even further thanks to lower operating costs, creating an ideal environment for growth and efficiency.
Florida is home to the nation’s third-largest workforce, with more than 11 million workers. The state ranks forth nationally in technology employment, employing more than 480,000 IT professionals. And for the ninth consecutive year, Florida leads the nation in higher education, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Florida is building momentum across several major industries, with rural regions playing a vital role. Florida is the #1 state for new business formation, #2 in aerospace manufacturing, #2 in medical device manufacturing, and #3 in transportation and warehousing.
With access to sixteen deepwater seaports, more than 2,700 miles of rail, three spaceports, and 21 commercial airports, rural Florida connects businesses to important domestic and international markets.
Businesses can access key economic hubs quickly and affordably, with strategic proximity to major Florida cities, including Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale.
Business Incentives
Business-friendly policies and incentives are abundant for businesses looking to put down roots in rural Florida.

Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC)

High Impact Performance Incentive Grant (HIPI)
Research and Development Tax Credit

Quick Response Training Grant (QRT)

Incumbent Worker Training Grant (IWT)

Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Refund
Detailed information about incentives is available on the Florida Jobs website.