According to the Dave Gammon, Director of Charlotte County Economic Development, the Punta Gorda Airport Park could house nearly four-million square feet of commercial distribution centers, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities by 2026.
“It has changed a lot,” said Gammon. “We have worked on this for years and years and now it’s our time to shine in the sun.”
The coming businesses will add approximately 1000 jobs, and will add millions to the county tax base, according to Gammon.
“These aren’t just low wage jobs, these are high paying manufacturing jobs, distribution jobs that are very exciting, bringing in new people, a younger demographic to Charlotte County,” said Gammon. “And an ad valorem tax helps diversify our tax base so it’s not just residential based. Each of these buildings probably gets assesses at $100 a square foot easily, so we are looking at a tremendous increase to our tax base and ad valorem taxes coming in.”
According to businesses that have facilities under construction in the park, the lower land costs and easy access to the highway and airport were major selling points when deciding to build.