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It seems like a new restaurant or business pops up along US 90 in Lake City almost every day, but for Suwannee County Economic Development Director Alvin Jackson, the growth in Columbia County doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

“Columbia County has had infrastructure in place,” said Jackson. “It was already zoned for commercial and retail all along the I-75 corridor. That has been in place a long time and it has taken a while, maybe 10 to 15 years, but they’re now reaping the benefits.”

According to Lake City Growth Management Director Bob Hathcox, several restaurants are set to open or begin construction in the coming year near US 90 and I-75 in Lake City, including Buffalo Wild Wings, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Denny’s, and Dairy Queen.

“Lake City is attractive to businesses because it has everything a growing community needs,” said Hathcox. “We’re also known as ‘the Gateway to Florida,’ with I-10 and I-75 exits making us one of the major stops coming out of South Georgia. It’s an ideal location for growth.”

Hathcox said the influx of new restaurants and businesses into Lake City are not the result of sudden decisions. The businesses have undergone lengthy due diligence procedures and spent millions of dollars on studies to ensure they will do well in their new location, said Hathcox.

Columbia County Economic Development Director Glenn Hunter also credited the area’s transportation systems as one of the reasons for development.

“We are at a transportation crossroads,” said Hunter. “Over 55,000 cars drive through the US 90/I-75 corridor daily. That amount of cars gives businesses in those areas better visibility.”

Hunter works with Jackson and other county officials in the North Central Florida Economic Development District (NCFED) to bring industry, commercial, and retail business – and the accompanying much-needed jobs – to the entire region. If an industry isn’t the right fit for Columbia, it may be suggested to Suwannee or other counties, said Hunter.

“We all work together,” said Hunter on the NCFED. “We try to compliment each other, and it seems like we’re all moving in the right direction. I’m excited we’re on the same page.”

This partnership is starting to get the entire region’s attention from industries and allowing North Florida to develop its own economic development “personality,” according to Jackson.

“This is why I’m pushing economic development policy,” said Jackson. “By installing the inf