Ep. 404 | Freight Rail’s Hidden Power: Fueling Rural Florida’s Economy

Recorded live at the 2025 Florida Rural Economic Development Association (FREDA) Summit, this episode of Small Biz Florida features Cassie Dull, Chief Commercial Officer of Pinsly Railroad Company. Cassie joins host Tom Kindred to pull back the curtain on the vital yet often overlooked role of freight rail in supporting small businesses and driving economic growth in rural Florida. She shares that Pinsly Railroad operates eight short-line railroads, including the Florida Gulf and Atlantic Railroad, which spans 400 miles across North Florida and serves as a logistical backbone for industries ranging from construction to food distribution. With over 16 years in the rail industry, Cassie explains how rail can be a cost-effective, efficient alternative to trucking, and how Pinsly partners with counties to attract new industries by building rail infrastructure and educating business owners about the benefits of freight rail. This podcast episode was recorded live at the 2025 Florida Rural Economic Development Association (FREDA) Summit hosted at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. This podcast is made possible by the Florida SBDC Network and sponsored by Florida First Capital. Connect with Our Guest: Pinsly Railroad Company