Land use changes will support state-of-the-art spring water bottling and distribution facility as part of Lake Placid-based company’s continued growth in Florida’s Heartland
JAN. 18, 2018 – The Highlands County Board of County Commissioners finalized the approvals needed to support an existing spring water company in Lake Placid, FL.
The commissioners approved a Large Scale Comprehensive Plan Land Use Amendment from Agriculture to Public Water Supply and a zoning change from Agriculture to Public Water Supply District. These land use changes allow the Lake Placid-based Keystone Water Company to relocate its existing water bottling plant on U.S. Highway 27 to property it owns on State Road 70, thereby allowing it to bottle water at the source and greatly improve its transportation and logistics efficiency.
Keystone is a full-service spring water company that operates a bottling and distribution center in Lake Placid. The company also plans to expand its existing talent base, all of whom are Highlands County residents. The approvals pave the way for Keystone to begin efforts to expand its existing operations, which include future plans for a new facility, addition of staff and capital investment in Highlands County.
“As Keystone looked for ways to substantially grow, we were faced with a key business decision on whether to expand its growing spring water, bottling and distribution business in Highlands County. Our partnership with the County and its development services office simplified that decision, enabling Keystone to meet the growing demand for spring water bottled at the source. Our centralized location in Florida’s Heartland also helps us meet the needs of our customers who want to provide our spring water to their customers from a local source while saving transportation and logistical costs for everyone involved," said Katie Edwards-Walpole, attorney and spokesperson for Keystone.
"Keystone looks forward to growing our spring water business in Highlands County with a significant investment that will create new jobs, produce economic benefits and tax revenue, and aid in Highlands’ economic revitalization plans,” Edwards-Walpole said.
“It's gratifying to see Highlands County helping our existing businesses grow with the assistance and support of our professional staff. As a small county positioned for economic growth and revitalization, we need our businesses to thrive as it benefits our residents and region as a whole. I look forward to watching Keystone's continued success over the years to come," said Commissioner James Brooks, county commissioner district 1 and industrial development authority liaison.
Highlands County, Florida offers manufacturers many advantages including low labor costs; below average property tax rates; is close to Orlando, Tampa, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach and South Florida; major highways; little congestion and more.