• The JEDC is proud to present the 2007 Annual Report, which highlights its significant achievements over the past year. To view the report, click here. 
• According to a new Bizjournals study, Jacksonville is the 9th least stressful metro area in the U.S. 
• The South Sydney Rabbitohs (co-owned by actor Russell Crowe) and the English Leeds Rhinos came to Jacksonville for an international rugby league match, played Jan. 26, 2008, at Hodges Stadium at UNF. The successful event attracted more than 12,000 fans and was even covered on the The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. 
• CNNMoney.com recently ranked Florida among the top 5 Best States for Starting a Business. 
• Short line and regional railroad company, Rail America Inc., will move its headquarters to Jacksonville from Boca Raton after June 1st.  The company is in the process of merging with Jacksonville-based Florida East Coast Railway, pending regulatory approval. 
• The Jacksonville Port Authority’s lead negotiator for the proposed Hanjin Shipping Company Ltd. container terminal expects to bring a lease contract to the authority’s board of directors for approval in April. The authority and Hanjin are in negotiations for a lease contract involving the development of a 170-acre terminal on authority property. 
• A new brochure about Jacksonville’s Enterprise and Empowerment Zones has been created, for more information click here. 
• According to Site Selection’s annual state business climate analysis, Florida’s business climate is among the Top 10 in the nation. Click here to read the full story. 
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recently launched a free online course, Business Opportunities: A Guide to Winning Federal Contracts.  The guide is easy to follow and available on SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/training. From the SBA’s training site, click on the menu of free online courses and then select the first course listed under Government Contracting. 
• Jacksonville is No. 3 on the 2008 list of America’s Cleanest Cities (Forbes magazine – 2008). Click here to read the story. 
• Baseball Season Begins in Jacksonville! Two major upcoming baseball events will be played at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville - Florida vs. Florida State on Tuesday, April 1, and the ACC Baseball Championship, May 21-25, 2008. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Arena box office. 
• Beaver Street Enterprise Center welcomed two new companies to its incubator: A. Harold and Associates, LLC and REDSTICK. The enterprise center is a business incubator on Jacksonville's Westside that seeks to stimulate economic development and jobs in the city's Northwest sector. The center is Jacksonville's only core-city business incubator. For more information, visit their website at www.bsecenter.net. 
• The JEDC would like to welcome two new commissioners: Brenda Ezell and Herschel Vinyard, Jr. Ezell is an attorney with Edwards & Cohen, P.A., a law firm specializing in real estate law. Vinyard is vice president of Atlantic Marine Holding Company, a privately held company that owns and operates two shipyards. 
• The JEDC will soon be issuing RFPs for LaVilla Blocks 9 & 10 (vacant land) and 816 West Union Street (partially completed restaurant). Interested parties should contact Lindsey Ballas at 630-2940 or lballas@coj.net for more information. 
• The 12th Annual First Coast Real Estate Economic Outlook Conference and Expo was held on March 25, 2008. Ron Barton, JEDC Executive Director, led one of the breakout sessions on downtown development. To download a copy of his presentation, click here. 
• The JEDC was recognized and awarded with the Community Champions Circle of Honor Platinum Award, the very highest honor, at United Way’s annual award ceremony at the Florida Theatre. 
• The Jacksonville Film & Television Office, a division of the JEDC, recently won a Silver ADDY for the 2007/08 Jacksonville Film & Television Office Production Guide under the category of "Magazine & Self Promotion" for the Northeast Florida AAF (American Advertising Federation) Chapter.  The production guide was designed by The Marko Group, a local advertising agency. 
• Lindsey Ballas, with the JEDC, recently attained the designation of a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). The CEcD designation is the International Economic Development Council’s most coveted and prestigious recognition of industry expertise. She joins an elite group of about 45 individuals to attain the designation in Florida.
  
  

JEDC Executive Director Ron Barton presented the award to Mr. Rhodes noting that, "Bob Rhodes has been an untiring advocate for downtown, volunteering his time and intellect to make downtown the special place we all desire."

Dr. Thomas "Lew" Klechack was first honored with this award in his name for his vision and devotion for over 15 years to the revitalization of the downtown area while chairman of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). This award symbolizes the epitome of public service to downtown Jacksonville. Other past recipients include: Jim Citrano, Frank Nero and John Welch.

Chairman Rhodes is of counsel with Foley & Lardner LLP and is recognized as one of Florida’s leading legal professionals in land use law, environmental law and real estate development. He has been an influential player in the local and state development arena for many years and served as general counsel for The St. Joe Company from 1997 to 2003, and as executive vice president from 2003 to 2005. Rhodes’ longtime leadership within the JEDC and Downtown Vision, Inc (DVI), along with his most recent involvement in the development of the Downtown Action Plan, has proven his influence on downtown development.