WORK WITH OHPA
Sunshine, Low Taxes and Booming Economy
Doing Business with the Ocean Highway and Port Authority
Your Strategic Partner for Growth in Florida and Nassau County
A Different Kind of Economic Development Partner
The Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) is more than a port operator—it is a state-created economic development engine with the authority, assets, and flexibility to help businesses start, scale, and relocate successfully.
Established by the Florida Legislature as an independent special district, OHPA operates as a public enterprise with a private-sector mindset—focused on speed, partnership, and results.
For the right partner, OHPA can offer revenue-backed bonds to fund your facility or infrastructure, accelerating your startup or relocation in Nassau County with minimal upfront costs.
For startups, technology firms, and growing companies, OHPA offers something rare:
direct access to land and sea, infrastructure, financing, and decision-makers—all in one place.
Built to Drive Economic Growth
OHPA’s statutory mission is clear:
Promote and accelerate economic development in Nassau County
This is not a passive role. It is an active mandate that drives how OHPA operates:
- Attracting new industries and dual-use technologies
- Supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses
- Enabling expansion and relocation
- Investing in infrastructure that unlocks private growth
BOTTOM LINE: Every project, partnership, and investment is aligned around job creation, innovation, and long-term economic vitality.
What Makes OHPA Different?
Most economic development organizations coordinate deals…OHPA makes them happen.
Control of Land and Development Opportunities
OHPA can:
- Acquire, assemble, and prepare sites for development
- Offer flexible leases, build-to-suit options, and long-term partnerships
- Support everything from startup-scale facilities to major industrial campuses
BOTTOM LINE: For startups and tech companies, this means room to grow without traditional real estate barriers.
Infrastructure That Scales with You
OHPA invests directly in:
- Port and logistics infrastructure
- Maritime dual-use technology development
- Transportation and site access
- Industrial and commercial facilities
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a logistics startup, advanced manufacturer, or tech-enabled supply chain company, OHPA can help build the environment you need to scale.
Financing and Deal Structuring
OHPA has the authority to:
- Issue revenue bonds and finance development projects
- Structure creative public-private partnerships (P3s)
- Align public investment with private growth
Streamlined Development Environment
Operating as a special district, OHPA can:
- Move projects forward efficiently
- Coordinate directly with permitting and regulatory agencies
- Reduce friction that typically slows development
BOTTOM LINE: Speed to Market
- Reduced upfront capital costs
- Faster project delivery
- Flexible, business-friendly deal structures
Need Money to Finance Growth?
OHPA's Bonding Authority Can Make That Happen
OHPA has the statutory authority to issue revenue bonds and other financing instruments to support projects that advance economic development in Nassau County. This gives OHPA a powerful tool to partner directly with businesses on projects that might otherwise be difficult to finance.
What This Means for Businesses
Through its bonding authority, OHPA can:
- Finance infrastructure and facilities needed for your project
- Support build-to-suit developments for industrial, logistics, or technology operations
- Structure agreements where project costs are repaid over time through lease payments or project revenues
Why It Matters
OHPA’s bonding authority allows it to act as more than a landlord or regulator—it becomes a financial partner in your project.
For startups, small businesses, and companies relocating to Nassau County, this means:
- Lower barriers to entry
- Access to capital-backed development
- Scalable solutions tailored to your growth
BOTTOM LINE: This allows businesses to reduce upfront capital requirements and preserve cash for operations and growth.
Need a Partner?
OHPA Has You Covered
Not Just a Government Agency – A Public-Private Partner That Work With YOU
OHPA is built for collaboration.
The Authority is actively seeking partnership with:
- Startups and entrepreneurs
- Technology and dual-use companies
- Industrial and logistics firms
- Developers and investors
Through P3 structures, OHPA can:
- Co-invest in projects
- Develop facilities for private users
- Share risk while accelerating timelines
BOTTOM LINE: Unlock your business’s potential in Nassau County with OHPA’s flexible ability to enter Public-Private Partnerships to
help you grow and thrive.
A Natural Home for Startups and Technology
OHPA is actively focused on next-generation economic growth, including:
- Technology and logistics platforms
- Advanced manufacturing
- Supply chain innovation
- Maritime dual-use technology Research and Development
- Clean energy and infrastructure solutions
Why startups choose OHPA-backed locations:
- Lower barriers to entry than major metro areas
- Access to port-driven global trade
- Ability to scale from small footprint to full operation
- Direct connection to decision-makers and partners
OHPA works alongside local and regional partners to connect startups with:
- Business development resources
- Workforce pipelines
- Regional networks and customers
BOTTOM LINE: OHPA offers a supportive ecosystem where startups don’t get lost in bureaucracy.
Relocation & Expansion
A Smarter Move
For companies looking to relocate or expand, Nassau County offers a powerful combination:
- Strategic location in Northeast Florida
- Low corporate taxes…no personal income taxes
- Immediate access to the Port of Fernandina
- Proximity to Jacksonville’s logistics and talent base
- Lower costs with high growth potential
OHPA enhances this advantage by offering:
- Ready-to-develop sites
- Customized infrastructure solutions
- Flexible partnership structures
- Hands-on project support from concept to completion
BOTTOM LINE: Businesses don’t just move here—they
gain a strategic partner invested in their success.
Let's Build Something Here
If your business falls in any of these areas:
- Technology and logistics platforms
- Advanced manufacturing
- Supply chain innovation
- Maritime dual-use technology Research and Development
- Clean energy and infrastructure solutions
The Ocean Highway and Port Authority is ready to partner with you.
At OHPA - Your growth is the mission.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? Click this link to reach out about working with OHPA!
Opportunities for Small Businesses
Small businesses are not an afterthought—they are a priority at OHPA.
If you are seeking to start or expand an existing small business that is:
- Local suppliers and service providers
- Small contractors and logistics operators
- Entrepreneurial ventures tied to port, trade and technology activity
- Or any other small business
OHPA wants to work with you to insure your growth and participation in the booming Nassau County economy!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
New Opportunity: Bring Your Idea Directly to OHPA
Recent changes in Florida law have created a powerful new pathway for businesses—especially startups and small companies—to partner directly with the Ocean Highway and Port Authority.
Under updates to Florida’s Public-Private Partnership statute, entities like OHPA are now explicitly authorized to receive and act on unsolicited business proposals from private companies.
OHPA Is Actively Seeking These Partnerships
OHPA’s statutory mission is to drive economic development in Nassau County, and this new authority directly supports that goal.
The Authority is actively interested in:
- Startup-driven innovation
- Technology-enabled infrastructure and logistics
- Small business growth tied to port and industrial activity
- New concepts that create jobs and expand the local economy
With its control over land, infrastructure, and financing—and now enhanced flexibility under state law—OHPA is positioned to act as a true development partner, not just a regulator.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
