Plans for the Townhomes of Westerly Park residential development in Yulee, Florida, have advanced with the Nassau County Development Review Committee recommending approval of civil plans. David Weekley Homes is constructing 124 townhomes on 20- to 35-foot lots in the northeast portion of the Wildlight master-planned community, near Interstate 95 and Florida 200. Pulte Homes is also involved, with plans for 402 homes on 50- to 60-foot lots, expected to bring over 1,000 residents. The development, owned by Rayonier through Wildlight LLC, is part of a larger 24,000-home project. Model homes are under construction, with sales expected to begin this fall. Groundbreaking occurred in July 2024, and completion is projected for summer 2026. The project includes amenities such as Suncatch Park, featuring a family pool, lap pool, and playground. Other developments in Wildlight include the Publix-anchored Crossings at Wildlight shopping center, UF Health Wildlight, and Rayonier headquarters, with additional community services like the Nassau Crossing Wawa and Baptist Emergency and Imaging Center opening in 2024.

Angela Davis, president of Campbell Global in Portland, Oregon, oversees $10 billion in timberland investments, managing 1.4 million acres of timberland across the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The strategy focuses on yield, inflation hedging, portfolio diversification, and carbon sequestration. Campbell's approach includes managing forests for carbon credits, addressing harvesting challenges, and competing with real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the timberland sector.

Rayonier, a second-largest timber REIT in the U.S. and New Zealand, is undergoing strategic divestitures and portfolio rebalancing to unlock value. The company sold its New Zealand joint venture for $710 million, generating $1 billion in cash, and is focusing on U.S. growth opportunities. It is diversifying into real estate development, solar projects, and carbon credits, while maintaining a strong balance sheet and dividend yield. The company's timberland assets and long-term growth strategies position it for potential future gains.

S&P Global Ratings upgraded Rayonier Inc to 'BBB' from 'BBB-' following the completion of its New Zealand joint venture sale, which generated $710 million in gross proceeds. The company plans to use funds to reduce debt, return capital to shareholders, and invest in acquisitions. The rating upgrade reflects improved leverage and debt-to-EBITDA ratios, with a stable outlook.

In the first half of 2025, the U.S. stock market rebounded, but Jacksonville-based companies underperformed. Duos Technologies Group Inc. saw a 20% stock gain, while RYAM fell 53% and Dun & Bradstreet Holdings Inc. dropped 27%. Rayonier Inc. sold its New Zealand timber interests for $710 million, and Home Depot expanded its Pro division with a $5.5 billion acquisition. The Trump tax bill could benefit transportation stocks, and GTCR profited from its Worldpay stake.