The forest, about 55 miles northwest of Downtown Orlando, coversLake, Marion and Putnam counties and is the oldest (1908)designated National Forest east of the Mississippi River andsouthernmost in the continental US, according to the federalagency. The US Forest Service is proposing the land sale to helppay for new schools and roads in rural counties.

The agency estimates the sale of about 300,000 acres in nationalforests in 35 states could raise $800 million. The price equates toabout $2,666 per acre or about six cents per sf. At that pricing,the 973 acres in the Ocala forest would generate an estimated $2.6million

By comparison, Orlando industrial brokers tell GlobeSt.comwaterfront land over the past two years located in desirable metroarea locations has sold for an average $500,000 per acre, dependingon location and infrastructure improvements.