Alachua County board approves RFI and selection criteria for 'Ecoloop' Eco Industrial Park
May 06, 2026 | Alachua County, Florida
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Alachua County commissioners voted to move forward with a request for information and screening criteria for an Eco Industrial Park, staff told the board that they would brand and market the site as “Ecoloop.” The board approved the motion to issue the RFI following a presentation on procurement standards and screening criteria for prospective tenants.
Why it matters: County staff said the park is intended to attract businesses that advance the county’s zero-waste goals, create local jobs and offer circular-economy synergies — for example, one company's outputs serving as another's inputs. Commissioners emphasized the need to capture construction and demolition (C&D) debris opportunities and to update the county’s C&D analysis before final project approvals.
Gus Olmos, the county’s zero-waste director, described the RFI’s screening priorities: alignment with the county’s zero-waste strategy, economic-development benchmarks, compliance with comprehensive-plan objectives and fit with the site development plan. He urged applicants to demonstrate environmental impacts, material inputs, financial feasibility and whether they would request county funding.
Commissioners requested several clarifications. Commissioner Prizia asked that the eligible-technology lists explicitly include textiles and certain IT/electronics streams. Commissioner Cornell asked staff to update an earlier C&D analysis and to ensure the county maintains control of the transfer scale so the county can track materials flow.
A private operator signaled immediate interest: Marcy Lahart, representing Florida Express Environmental, told the board her firm is prepared to invest $5 million in a 40,000-square-foot C&D transfer and recycling facility and asked to lease or purchase a lot at the park.
The board voted unanimously to proceed with the RFI and to direct staff to return with refined criteria, an updated C&D analysis and follow-up recommendations to EPAC and EDAC before final decisions are made. Olmos told commissioners staff would give local businesses roughly 30 days to respond and then evaluate proposals with advisory committees.
What’s next: Staff will issue the RFI, receive responses, convene county review teams, solicit advisory-committee feedback and report back in approximately 60–90 days with evaluations and recommendations.
Why it matters: County staff said the park is intended to attract businesses that advance the county’s zero-waste goals, create local jobs and offer circular-economy synergies — for example, one company's outputs serving as another's inputs. Commissioners emphasized the need to capture construction and demolition (C&D) debris opportunities and to update the county’s C&D analysis before final project approvals.
Gus Olmos, the county’s zero-waste director, described the RFI’s screening priorities: alignment with the county’s zero-waste strategy, economic-development benchmarks, compliance with comprehensive-plan objectives and fit with the site development plan. He urged applicants to demonstrate environmental impacts, material inputs, financial feasibility and whether they would request county funding.
Commissioners requested several clarifications. Commissioner Prizia asked that the eligible-technology lists explicitly include textiles and certain IT/electronics streams. Commissioner Cornell asked staff to update an earlier C&D analysis and to ensure the county maintains control of the transfer scale so the county can track materials flow.
A private operator signaled immediate interest: Marcy Lahart, representing Florida Express Environmental, told the board her firm is prepared to invest $5 million in a 40,000-square-foot C&D transfer and recycling facility and asked to lease or purchase a lot at the park.
The board voted unanimously to proceed with the RFI and to direct staff to return with refined criteria, an updated C&D analysis and follow-up recommendations to EPAC and EDAC before final decisions are made. Olmos told commissioners staff would give local businesses roughly 30 days to respond and then evaluate proposals with advisory committees.
What’s next: Staff will issue the RFI, receive responses, convene county review teams, solicit advisory-committee feedback and report back in approximately 60–90 days with evaluations and recommendations.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
