INVESTOR NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2010
Dear Cornerstone Investor:
I am excited to serve as your Cornerstone Chair in 2010. Let me begin by extending my thanks to our Cornerstone partners in economic development, including our seven partner counties: Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns, plus the JEDC, JAA, JAXPORT, JTA, JEA and WorkSource. The support and leadership of these organizations remains critical to the growth we have experienced in the past and remains critical to our regions future success.
Despite the deep recession we faced in 2009, more than 2,000 new jobs were created and an additional 2,500 Navy jobs were added with the relocation of the P-3 Orion Planes from Brunswick, Maine to Jacksonville Naval Air Station. Highlights from 2009 include:
- Saft North America selected Cecil Commerce Center as the site of its new $200 million lithium ion battery plant that will employ 300 people with the potential for more in the future.
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) selected Jacksonville for a 500-person office that is sorting through asset reallocation of banks east of the Mississippi River.
- Science First chose Nassau County as the relocation site for its firm than manufactures science teaching aids.
- InEnTec, a chemical recycling and clean technology company, relocated its corporate headquarters to Clay County.
- National Direct Response, a call center in Flagler County, expanded its operations and added 250 new jobs.
These announcements coupled with the success we saw in other areas made 2009 a great year in spite of the challenges we faced and I look forward to what we can accomplish this year.
I’m placing a strong emphasis on strategic planning. While continuing our overall economic development efforts, three main areas of focus will be:
1. The development of a strategic regional intermodal plan that supports JAXPORT.
2. Creating a life sciences strategy in partnership with the UNF Center for Global
Health and Medical Diplomacy and the Mayor's office.
3. Developing a complete military strategy with Mayport growth as the primary focus.
Introducing the 2010 Cornerstone Executive Committee
I am excited to announce that this year we have structured our Executive Committee a little differently in order to focus more on our targeted industries and enhance our economic development efforts. Please welcome your 2010 Executive Committee:
- Keith Tickell, Business Development Chair
- George Gabel, International Chair
- Dr. William Rupp, Life Sciences Chair
- Leerie Jenkins, Transportation and Logistics Chair
- Bob Kanaskie, Aviation and Aerospace Chair
- Mark Fletcher, Headquarters Chair
- Ali Korman, Manufacturing Chair
- Tom Van Berkel, Finance and Insurance Services Chair
- Heather Duncan, Information Technology Chair
- John “Jake” Schickel, Workforce Development Chair
- Ed Burr, Downtown Development Chair
- RADM James Stevenson (Ret.), Military Issues Chair
2010 Chamber Leadership:
- Kelly Madden, Chamber Chair
- A. Hugh Greene, Chamber Chair-Elect
- Mike Hightower, Immediate Past Chair
Delaney to Speak at First Cornerstone Lunch at First Cornerstone Lunch
The first Cornerstone luncheon of 2010 is fast approaching and will feature former Jacksonville Mayor and UNF President John Delaney who will be discussing “A New Florida Economy.”
Register now to reserve your seat at the March 16 luncheon to be held at the Hyatt Jacksonville Riverfront. The reservation deadline is Monday, March 9.
Regional Business News
JPMorgan Chase has added 900 local jobs to our economy with openings for 77 more positions. The Southside office is among 15 mortgage servicing locations in the U.S. and handles defaulted homeowners and their loan modification plans across the nation. Chase recognized the need for expanded loss mitigation facilities and converted two of its processing centers to accommodate the growing need.
Cecil Field Airport has been awarded a federal license to fly commercial space vehicles that could ferry tourists, researchers and others beyond Earth’s atmosphere. JAA has worked diligently for four years to get its
commercial spaceport licensing and plans to offer Cecil Field’s 12,500-foot long runway to a range of commercial space operators, including Virgin Galactic. A study to estimate the potential economic benefit of the spaceport is pending.
Boeing officially opened its new 125,000 square-foot structural repair facility January 15th at Cecil Commerce Center. With this expansion Boeing will grow from 150 jobs to 210 jobs. The new facility will combine the maintenance and repair of the plane’s structure and the technological advances needed for the interior. During the opening Mayor John Peyton called Cecil the area’s “next job haven” and talked about the plans for growth of the entire Commerce Center. In addition to opening the new facility, Boeing also marked its 10th year at Cecil Commerce Center.
CSX Transportation (CSXT) is selling 61 miles of rail corridor to the state for the Central Florida commuter rail project, known as
SunRail. CSXT has also committed $40 million toward providing rail connectivity to the planned Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) at JAXPORT. This will enable JAXPORT to compete for discretionary cargo with other east coast seaports.
At the direction of the Florida Legislature the Jacksonville Transportation Authority has completed a study to recommend a framework for the creation of a
Regional Transportation Authority for Northeast Florida. The study addresses agency revenue sources, governance, coordination of work plans, and coordination with local comprehensive plans for all transportation facilities of the agency.
The City of Palm Coast in Flagler County has been selected as the site for
Galtronics Telemetry’s new corporate headquarters. The company plans to capture a stake in the ‘smart grid’ market, anticipating the creation of 50 high-wage green technology jobs over the next three years.
Tennessee-based
Hospital Corporation of America, which also owns Memorial Hospital and Orange Park Medical Center, is moving ahead with plans to build a new $100 million hospital near Cecil Commerce Center. Plans include a three-story, 85-bed community hospital and a 200,000-square-foot medical office building. Construction will provide 250 people with jobs during the two-year building phase and about 800 positions will be needed for ongoing employment at the hospital.
"Vote No on 4" Initiative Gaining Momentum
Florida business, civic and labor leaders convened in Tallahassee on Tuesday to hear the report of a top Florida economist showing that Amendment 4 - a proposed change to the state constitution - would lead to heavy job loss and higher costs for Floridians. In an unprecedented show of unity, labor and business leaders agreed to jointly oppose Amendment 4. Visit the
Web site for more information, FAQs and ways you can show you support for “Vote No on 4.”
Sincerely,
Lee Thomas
Cornerstone Chair
Chairman of Rayonier
Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties
3 Independent Drive • Jacksonville Fl 32202 • 904.366.6639
bizrelo@jacksonvillechamber.org • www.expandinjax.com
Where the Future Leads®