Is Jacksonville About to go global?

[thelakelander]

When the Mitsui O.S.K. terminal, seen here in an artist's rendering, opens in 2008, it will create 1,800 jobs -- not to mention a more international presence, which will benefit such companies as the Stellar Group, named Cornerstone's Trader of the Year in 2006.

It's been a steady drumbeat for almost two years, since the day a Japanese ocean carrier said it was establishing its East Coast hub in Jacksonville.

More trade is coming, the drumbeat goes, more international business, more imports and exports, more commercial connections with the rest of the globe.

But "international trade" can mean a range of things, encompassing the boxes that carry goods, the companies that make them, the sales offices that market them and more.

For a burgeoning group of civic and business leaders in Jacksonville, though, the hope is that the pending arrival of a direct pipeline for Asian goods to come to the area presages a more significant change for the region.

In coming years, they hope, the area will not only have more distribution centers and trucking companies, but it will also have more firms actually involved in buying and selling goods overseas. From regional headquarters to manufacturing plants, these businesses will not simply facilitate the moving of goods, but will be at the end points of the supply chain, making money through their dealings with the rest of the world.

The arrival of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. at the end of 2008 is a catalyst, these groups say, but the opportunities go far beyond simply facilitating cargo coming through the port.

link to full article & poll:  http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/060407/bus_174260870.shtml

[jbm32206]

We need to expand the port and draw the huge overseas companies here....on the east coast, we're in competition with Philadelphia, Baltimore and Savanah. So drawing business to Jacksonville, will indeed have a very positive impact upon the financial growth of our city.

[gatorback]

Are there plans to expand the port?