Florida’s Rural Renaissance: Doubling Florida’s GDP in our 31 Rural Counties Requires Connectivity and Investment

Florida’s 31 rural counties are poised for unprecedented economic growth, and strategic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, agriculture technology, broadband, and workforce development are essential to unlocking their full potential. The Florida Chamber Foundation has released a research briefing that highlights the significant progress rural counties have made and outlines key strategies to further accelerate their economic impact.

Florida’s 31 rural counties currently contribute just 2.92% to the state’s $1.6 trillion —  and growing — economy. However, rural areas have outpaced non-rural counties in GDP growth over the past five years. With the right policies, focus, and investments, Florida can achieve the ambitious goal set in the Florida 2030 Blueprint—doubling the rural share of GDP to 5.56% by 2030.

As Dr. Keith Richard, Vice President of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation, recently shared in his op-ed (linked here), “The challenge remains: rural businesses need better access to markets, workers need better access to jobs, and families need better access to opportunity. This requires investing in transportation networks, manufacturing, and digital connectivity that can connect rural areas to the broader economy.”

Since 2018, rural counties have experienced 56.6% GDP growth, surpassing the 49.1% growth rate of non-rural counties. Some counties—such as Liberty, Okeechobee, and Walton—have seen extraordinary economic expansion. To sustain this momentum, targeted investments in key areas will be crucial:

• Infrastructure Development: Expanding rural transportation networks to better connect businesses, workers, and markets.
• Broadband Expansion: Ensuring universal access to high-speed internet to support business growth, remote work, education, and healthcare.
• Manufacturing Growth: Utilizing the affordable land in rural counties as prime locations for large-scale manufacturing facilities and investing in related workforce training.
• AgTech: Florida’s agriculture industry feeds the world. By combining research and development (R&D) and agriculture, technology and innovation-based investments can help leverage rural Florida’s assets.
• Workforce Development: Strengthening entrepreneurship programs and Career & Technical Education (CTE) initiatives to create a skilled workforce that meets local economic needs.

The Florida Chamber Foundation is committed to driving rural economic growth through research, advocacy, and collaboration. To learn more about Florida’s rural economic strategies, read Dr. Richard’s op-ed or to read the full research brief, click HERE (link to op-ed/brief). You can also join us at the 2025 Florida Transportation, Growth, and Infrastructure Solution Summit on December 3, 2025 in Orland, Florida, where rural economic development will be a key focus. The Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partners board are engaged in the year-long work to advance the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals—contact Dr. Richard to discuss membership.