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Comprehensive Plan Economic Development Element <br />Indian River County does have rail service available for freight transport. This service is provided <br />by the Florida East Coast Railway, a freight line that serves the entire east coast of the state. At <br />present, Indian River County does not have passenger rail service available. The closest AMTRAK <br />service is in Okeechobee, approximately one hour and ten minutes to the southwest of Indian River <br />County. <br />Access to Resources <br />Currently, Indian River County is served by two electric utility systems. These are Florida Power <br />and Light (FPL) and the City of Vero Beach electric utility system. Currently, FPL offers certain <br />economic incentives, such as off peak hour pricing and its Economic Development Rider program, <br />for businesses. The FPL Economic Development Rider program allows for a reduction in the base <br />demand and energy charges for a new or expanding industrial facility over a five year period. The <br />facility must have an electricity demand of at least 5,000 kW at a single delivery point. <br />Within the county, natural gas is available from a pipeline that runs just west of I-95 and from a <br />local gas pipeline available for public use that is located along SR 60. The availability of natural gas <br />is a key locational requirement for a wide range of activities from food processing to power <br />generation. <br />Within the county, there is adequate water and sewer available. While all major county <br />commercial/industrial nodes have access to centralized water and sewer, reuse water is also available <br />from the sewage treatment system for cooling, irrigation, and other non consumptive purposes. Both <br />potable water and sanitary sewer are addressed in detail in their respective sub -elements. <br />As the country's information and data management systems become increasingly integrated, the <br />telecommunications and fiber optic infrastructure is becoming a more important site location <br />criterion. Currently, Indian River County is participating in a regional fiber optic initiative to <br />connect jurisdictions with fiber optic wire. Fiber optics are likely to become more important in the <br />future to business location decisions. <br />Tourism <br />Tourism is important to Florida and is a vital part of the economic strength of Indian River County. <br />In addition to providing jobs, the tourism industry produces tax revenue for the county. In Indian <br />River County, the tourism marketing effort is managed through the Tourist Development Council, a <br />county sponsored agency. The actual marketing is performed by the Tourist Division of Indian <br />River County Chamber of Commerce. <br />Certain industries, such as Food Services and Drinking Places (NAICS 722), Accommodations <br />(NAICS 497), and Amusement, Gambling and Recreation (NAICS 713), are closely linked to <br />Community Development Department Indian River County 11 <br />