A Georgia investor has purchased the historic Shoal River Ranch just outside Crestview.
Holland M. Ware acquired the 10,500-acre ranch, which has more than 5 miles of frontage along the CSX rail line, more than 4 miles of frontage along U.S. Highway 90 and 12 miles of frontage on Interstate 10.
The area, which the Florida Department of Economic Development listed as a "mega-site," has a mixture of pasture, timberland and more than 32 ponds.
Ware could not be reached for comment but his Idaho associate, Brenda Thueson, said in a news release that the purchase "fits in very well with our other acquisitions over the last several weeks."
"This booming area has so much promise in industry and we are very excited to be a part of it by acquiring such a well-known ranch," she said.
Ware had purchased more than 30,000 acres across the Florida Panhandle, according to the release.
"We are … very excited for what this could mean to the port of Port St. Joe as we look forward to the possible revitalization of the port and the potential for water transport for our many natural resources," Thueson said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Shoal River Ranch's new owner praises area's 'promise in industry'