Economic Development Week 2026 is in the books. In partnership with the Florida Gateway Chamber, Columbia County Economic Development spent the week highlighting this year’s theme: workforce development. Each day looked at a different piece of the workforce pipeline, from students preparing for careers to businesses investing in our community.
Here’s a look back at the week.
Career & Technical Education at Columbia High School
We kicked off the week with a hands-on tour of the Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs at Columbia High School. Nearly 20 local business leaders and community stakeholders saw students training for careers in fields including:
- Nursing Assistant
- Animal Science
- Advanced Manufacturing Technology
- Journalism & Multimedia
- Digital Media Technology
- Welding
- Culinary Arts & Hospitality
- Business Management & Analysis
- Building Trades & Construction
- Early Childhood Education
Seeing these programs in action was a clear reminder that workforce development is already happening in our schools. The skills these students are building today will shape the workforce and economy of Columbia County tomorrow. Thank you to the educators, administrators, and students who welcomed us.
4-H Open House with UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County
Economic development is about more than businesses and investment. It’s also about preparing the next generation to succeed. We partnered with UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County for their 4-H Open House, where young people build leadership, communication, teamwork, and responsibility through local clubs and hands-on experiences. These are the same life skills employers look for, and they serve students well in the classroom, the workplace, and beyond.
Thank you to UF/IFAS Extension and the many 4-H volunteers and families investing in our young people. With National 4-H Week coming up October 4 through 10, it’s a great time to learn more about 4-H in Columbia County.
EquipmentShare Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting
On Thursday, September 24, we celebrated the grand opening of EquipmentShare at 173 NE County Road 245 in Lake City. Guests toured the facility and learned more about EquipmentShare’s Megasite Solutions.
EquipmentShare received incentives through Columbia County Economic Development to help locate here, and the company now provides services that support local businesses and contractors. A strong workforce and a strong business community go hand in hand. Attracting businesses like EquipmentShare creates opportunities and strengthens the ecosystem that allows other local businesses to grow.
Economic Development Luncheon
We closed out the week on Friday, September 25, with the annual Economic Development Luncheon, bringing together business leaders, educators, elected officials, and community partners. Economic Development Director Jennifer Daniels shared an update on current and upcoming projects in Columbia County, followed by a keynote from Andy Portera of Portera & Associates.
Andy challenged attendees to think about economic development not only in terms of what we can attract to our community, but also how we invest in the people, businesses, and resources already here. It was a fitting way to close out a week focused on building a pipeline to progress.
Thank You
Thank you to the Florida Gateway Chamber, Columbia High School, UF/IFAS Extension Columbia County, EquipmentShare, Andy Portera, and everyone who participated throughout the week. We’re grateful for every partner who continues to contribute to the growth of Columbia County.
