•The ACG Florida 2008 Capital Connection and Conference will be held at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa on November 19 and 20.  The event will allow for deal sourcing and networking among capital providers, intermediaries, corporate executives and owners of privately-held companies from the Southeast and the nation.  More than 80 exhibitors representing over $300 billion in capital will be in attendance. The event is being sponsored in part by the JEDC, Cornerstone, JAXPORT and JAA.   Click here to register.

•According to a study by the marketing firm Development Counsellors International, Florida’s business climate is the 4th best in the nation. 

•A franchise opportunities seminar for women and minorities will be in Jacksonville on Thursday, November 6 at the University of North Florida from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Learn how to be in business for yourself.  Click here for more information and to register.

•Millard Refrigerated Services is considering building an international refrigerated warehouse and distribution facility in Jacksonville, pending final approval of public investment by City Council and the State of Florida. The company would employ 92 people at a 185,000-square-foot warehouse within Imeson International Industrial Park. The $25.5 million facility has the potential to expand up to 425,000 square feet.  They received approval of public investment from the JEDC earlier this month. 

•Save the date!  The Northeast Florida Procurement Conference and Buyer’s Forum will be held at the Prime Osborn Convention Center on Tuesday, October 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event is being hosted by the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Florida SBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), and presented by the Jacksonville Business Journal.  Register online at www.myjaxchamber.com

•The JEDC’s Office of Film & Television announced that the HBO Movie RECOUNT, based on the disputed U.S. presidential election in 2000, won three Emmys for Best Made-For-TV movie, Best Director (Jay Roach) for a Dramatic Special and Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries or a Movie.

•A recent Tax Foundation study found that only three states impose lower state and local taxes, combined, on their residents than Florida.  Click here to read the article.

•Beaver Street Enterprise Center welcomed three new tenants last quarter!  Peters and Yaffee, a transportation and traffic engineering firm, M&S Supplies of Jax, Inc., an international exporting company and Florida PC Repair.Net, a computer repair company, are all new to the incubator.  For more information on the Enterprise Center, visit: www.bsecenter.net.

•JEDC staff had a booth presence at the 2008 ICSC Florida Conference in August.  More than 4,500 retailers, investors, brokers and others were in attendance where JEDC staff promoted numerous downtown developments and retail opportunities. 

•Jacksonville has one of the best-run city governments in Florida, according to a recent report presented to city leaders by Florida TaxWatch.

•The Jacksonville Urban League will host its 35th Annual Equal Opportunity Luncheon on Wednesday, October 29 at 12 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.  Dr. Ian Smith, guest speaker and founder of “The 50 Million Pound Challenge” will share his wisdom toward the “Health and Quality of Life Movement” within the Jacksonville community.  Click here to register. Or for more information please contact Tanya R. Downs at 366-6495 or t.downs@jaxul.org. 

•Jacksonville University was recognized as one of “America’s Best Colleges” for the fifth consecutive year in the U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2009 list for master’s universities in the south. 

•The City of Jacksonville and the Mayport and Jacksonville Councils of the Naval League announced the 233rd anniversary of the U.S. Navy.  A four-day celebration took place October 10-13 in Jacksonville. 

•Supercross is coming to Jacksonville!  Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc. announced the 2009 Monster Energy AMA Supercross schedule, which includes three new markets and four new stadiums. The 2009 Supercross season begins January 3 and continues through May 2.  Jacksonville joins other big-city hosts such as Las Vegas and San Diego as part of the new schedule. 

•The JEDC Sports & Entertainment Office is getting ready for the 86th annual Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic October 27-November 1.  There will be several events throughout the week including the 2008 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  Click here for more information. 

•Speaking of the JEDC Sports & Entertainment Office, tickets are now on sale for the Florida vs. UCF basketball game scheduled for December 20th at the Veterans Memorial Arena.  Click here to purchase your tickets. 

•Forbes and CNBC have ranked Florida as one of the best states for business. Forbes lists Florida as No. 1 in "Economic Climate," and in turn, CNBC ranks Florida No. 1 in "Workforce."

The JEDC currently controls approximately 4,500 developable acres of the 17,000-acre former Navy Master Jet Base, while the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) controls 6,000 acres.  In order to ensure a complementary development approach to Cecil Commerce Center, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) was drafted between the City, JEDC and JAA and approved by the JEDC Commission earlier this month.  The agreement establishes that the City will target industrial, office and manufacturing tenants while JAA will target industrial, office and aviation-related manufacturing tenants.

In addition, Alenia expects to invest approximately $42 million in new, private capital for manufacturing equipment, technology, infrastructure and furniture, along with $65 million in construction costs.  Overall, the project is expected to contribute more than $100 million in capital investments to Duval County’s tax base. 

“This community made a decision more than a year ago to pursue commercial development at Cecil Commerce Center.  We knew that this area held tremendous opportunity as we work to bring stable, high-wage jobs to Jacksonville,” said Mayor Peyton.  “I greatly appreciate Gov. Crist, a great partner in economic development for our state, for his participation in helping to secure the state level incentives for recruiting this company.”

“This announcement is a big win for Cecil Commerce Center and the City of Jacksonville,” the mayor continued.  “It is a clear indication this community made the right decision. Alenia North America is a well-known, highly respected company and this new assembly and production activity will enhance Jacksonville’s economy and strengthen two of our local target industries – aviation/aerospace and manufacturing, as well as aid the redevelopment of Cecil Commerce Center.”

The combined incentives offered by the city, state and the Jacksonville Airport Authority (JAA) were critical to the site location decision-making process and will help offset the costs of locating in Jacksonville and ensure that the city was competitive with offers made by other locations Alenia considered.  The JAA package was unanimously approved at a July 28 board meeting and showcases a collaborative effort between all parties. 

 “Alenia North America’s decision to locate the C-27J Military Cargo Aircraft final assembly and delivery center at Cecil Field will further strengthen our city’s position as an aviation and aerospace mecca,” stated JAA Board of Directors Chairman, Russ Jollivette. “The Jacksonville Aviation Authority is continuing to invest millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements at Cecil Field, including the pavement of entry roadways, aprons, taxiways and parking lots. These improvements will ensure that we are ‘shovel-ready’ when the next big aviation company wants to locate here.”

“We are grateful for the leadership and efforts of the State of Florida and all the local municipalities to date to bring this project to Cecil Field Commerce Center,” said Giuseppe Giordo, president and chief executive officer of Alenia North America.  “Alenia is proud to join the strong business community in Jacksonville and Duval County.”

The U.S. Army and Air Force selected the C-27J Spartan for the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) program in 2007. The C-27J has a maximum payload of over 25,000 lbs. and can be configured for any mission: troops, medevac, airdrop or cargo. The Joint Cargo Aircraft is central to the U.S. Army’s Aviation Modernization program, a restructure and revitalization of its aviation assets to reflect current and anticipated needs.