He is our local BiggerPockets expert in the area. 

Would a mega plant boost the local economy and real estate market?

I was also working on the inside of a good-sized local mortgage brokerage and had a direct link to their business.

I don't think the people running the local show give a tinker's damn about you, and probably more than one local multimillionaire muckety-muck wants your land to grow wine on it.If I were you, I would let go.

@Alexander Merritt   IMHO low end rentals are only suitable for local investors that are in the landlord business and are going to scale up and own as many as they can get 100's have your own PM and maintenance and that's the ONLY way in my mind that stuff will work over any amount of time.buy the best that you can if your just starting out.

I had a great series of interactions with a local financial planner but several months into our relationship he admitted he was just too busy to get to me for at least another 6 months.

Next $500k should go into real estate equities, active or passive.  

You can enjoy both Tampa and Pinellas counties right across the bridge, lots of beaches, water activities, all kinds of events happening, pro teams like the Rays and Bucks and no state income tax.Happy to help talk through what your buy box would look like

look up the local rules and see if it is something you can do. 

If she passes and her license is active she can.