Utilities and Infrastructure
Utilities and Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Easily accessible by interstate, air, or rail, Tallahassee offers unique advantages for those looking to reach the rest of the state, the U.S., or even international destinations. Located just a couple of hours from deep seaports via Interstate 10 and CSX rail, moving products and people in and out of Tallahassee is fast and convenient. Additionally, Tallahassee is conveniently located in the middle of several major markets, including Pensacola, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando.

Airport

Tallahassee International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Tallahassee and serves a 100-mile market radius. Three major airlines (Delta Airlines, American Airlines and Silver Airways) provide daily non-stop flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa with connections to virtually every major destination worldwide. The Tallahassee market area has more than 1.4 million in the total population. TLH Airport serves Tallahassee and its 32 surrounding counties in North Florida, South Georgia, and Alabama. Tallahassee International Airport accounts for 32% of air passenger travel in the Northwest Florida region.

Economic impact

The Airport has approximately 35 on-site aviation-related tenants that contribute to its annual economic impact with 900 acres available for further development. Florida Department of Transportation 2014 Economic Impact Study shows the total contributions from airport operations to the region’s economy through direct and indirect sources is $399 million annually.

Rail

Tallahassee has been a railroad town almost since its founding. The Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad serves the Florida Panhandle and Southern Georgia. This 430-mile track runs along the 1-10 corridor from Baldwin, FL, to Pensacola, FL, with a branch located in Attapulgus, GA. Tallahassee is home to one of three subdivisions in the Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad:

  • The Tallahassee Subdivision starts near Baldwin, FL and ends near Chattahoochee, FL.
  • The P&A Subdivision starts near Chattahoochee, FL and ends near Pensacola, FL.
  • The Bainbridge Subdivision starts near Tallahassee, FL and ends near Attapulgus, GA.

Acquired by CSX Transportation in 2019, the Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad is operated at Class III and has 18 locomotives. This line transports commodities, such as aggregate, agricultural Products, cement, chemicals, metals, renewable energy machinery, and much more.

Water

Tallahassee sits just 25 miles from the Gulf Coast with port access points at Port Panama City, known as the Gulf Coast Gateway and the Port of Jacksonville, the newest Port in the United States. The Port of Jacksonville, located just 180 miles east of Tallahassee, is Florida’s largest container port and one of the nation’s largest vehicle-handling ports. Port Panama City, located just 107 miles west of Tallahassee, includes an 138-acre Port preoperty and 25-acre Intermodal Distribution Center.

Interstate

Interstate 10, the fourth-longest interstate in the U.S, is the southernmost highway in the American Interstate Highway System. The highway runs for 362 miles in Florida and connects states, such as Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, and California, to Florida’s Capital.

Utilities

Talquin Electric Cooperative

Talquin Electric Cooperative has powered its community since 1940 and provides water and wastewater services from Florida’s Gulf Coast, north to the Florida State line, including portions of Tallahassee and surrounding areas. Talquin also provides electricity to approximately 53,000 accounts, which enhances and maintains the quality of life to the community we serve by providing electric, water, and wastewater services to our Members in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner.

City of Tallahassee

The City of Tallahassee is home to a highly ranked, four-service utility department that provides electricity, water, natural gas and solid waste services. The Utilities Department offers many products and services for commercial customers, including financial assistance to help offset utility costs.

Services

Business Energy Audit

The City of Tallahassee Your Own Utilities offers a free energy audit.  This service is one of the best ways to save energy, water and money. The comprehensive on-site analysis can help you locate problems, prioritize solutions and take advantage of the products, services and rate plans that best suit your business’s needs.

Solar Net-Metering For Your Business

Install approved PV or solar electric panels that operate in conjunction with the City’s electric grid. This will provide your business and the City with clean and renewable energy.

Financial Assistance

Ceiling Insulation Grant for Businesses

The City of Tallahassee offers a Ceiling Insulation Grant for businesses.  A Commercial Energy Auditor will advise you of the best insulation R level depending on your commercial function, calculate the exact job cost, and provide a list of participating insulation contractors who agree to install at that low cost.

Commercial Natural Gas Rebates

Convert to clean, efficient natural gas for your cooking and heating needs. Find out if natural gas is available in your neighborhood. The City will connect gas from the street for no charge if the customer uses a natural gas water heater or furnace. Appliance installations must be permitted and inspected by City or County Growth Management in order to receive rebates.

Solar Water Heater Rebates

Solar Water Heater Rebates are available for any electric customer who purchases a qualified system for their home. This program promotes clean, green solar technology. On a south-facing rooftop with good sun exposure, a solar water heater provides about 70 percent of a family’s hot water needs.

Residential Loan Handbook

The City of Tallahassee offers 5-percent interest financing for more than 25 energy-efficiency measures. These include: energy efficient air conditioners; natural gas furnaces; electric heat pumps; solar, natural gas and heat pump water heaters; floor, wall and ceiling insulation; natural gas dryers, ranges, grills, firelogs, appliances, standby generators and outdoor lighting; solar photovoltaic systems; ENERGY STAR refrigerators, freezers, windows, sliding doors; and ENERGY STAR reflective roofing. Loan payments are made on monthly utility bills. Financing terms are up to 5 years for most measures; and up to 10 years for solar measures and for certain items in qualifying historic homes. Notes are secured with a property lien.