2022 Game Changers

Steven McCraney
CEO, McCraney Property Co.

Why he’s important: McCraney’s company, one of the most active real estate developers in the Southeast, drew big-name users to several large industrial projects it developed in the area, and has more in the works for 2022. The firm partnered with Tavistock Development Co. LLC on the Infinity Park office and industrial complex in southwest Orlando, and in September fully leased up the Distribution 429 business park it developed in Ocoee.

What’s happening in his industry: E-commerce, driven by the region’s population growth and surge in online shopping created by the pandemic, has boosted the need for industrial space in Central Florida. In fact, nearly 2 million square feet of industrial space was completed in the region by third-quarter 2021, per the most recent data, but vacancy rates continue to decrease, according to JLL.

Benchmarks for 2022: Building Progress Commerce Park, nearly 500,000 square feet of industrial space on 40 vacant acres south of East Fullers Cross Road in Ocoee; possibly developing the 100-acre logistics portion of a mixed-use development in Apopka

“With demand for quality, well-located and managed industrial space severely outweighing active construction in the Northwest Orange market as of the end of 2020, we feel as though the addition of Progress Commerce Park will strike a chord with prospective tenants, bringing new-to-market businesses and, in turn, jobs to the city.”