Metro Jacksonville

Please give us some good news...we need it. 



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03/14/2011
By Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor

Both Gov. Rick Scott and Mayor John Peyton confirmed on Friday that Jacksonville is working on recruiting a company headquarters, although few details were available about its industry or size.

It’s “an important headquarters,” said Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Jerry Mallot after a Cornerstone speech by Scott and remarks by Peyton.

The company has been looking at the area the past few months, said Mallot, offering no further details about the prospect. “I really can’t say anything,” he said.

“When we are involved in a project that requires or even demands
confidentiality, I can’t.”

Scott, who campaigned on a platform of creating 700,000 jobs in seven years with a seven-point plan, spoke to about 1,200 people Friday at the quarterly Cornerstone luncheon at the Hyatt Downtown. He referred to his Monday evening visit to Jacksonville. “I was here Monday night and I hope we win, he said. Later, Scott said he was “here a couple days ago” regarding a “company moving here.”

Peyton also addressed the Cornerstone group and mentioned Scott’s visit. “This past week, he flew in to meet with the prospect of a headquarters, relocation,” said Peyton.

Scott met from 7-8 p.m. Monday at EverBank Field in what was posted on his schedule as an “economic development meeting.”

While Mallot provided few details about the prospect, he said it was one of several. He is president of the chamber’s Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership.

“We are busy right now,” he said, adding that a “major company” had visited the Friday before in addition to the corporate prospect Monday and Tuesday. Another is expected today and yet another is expected this week, but he said Friday the date of that visit had not been set.

“It’s a range of industries,” said Mallot of the prospects. “One is a headquarters operation, but others are in manufacturing and technology, two different areas. In fact, there is pretty good balance in the type of projects we are involved in.” Mallot said interest has picked up.

“We are seeing more site visits,” he said. “We are seeing a hum in our business today that is very important and we believe will lead to serious job creation as this year goes on.”

Last year, the chamber said that announced projects would create 3,268 jobs in the seven counties of Northeast Florida participating in Cornerstone. Of those, 3,158 were in Duval County. The other counties in the partnership are Baker, Clay, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns.

Mallot said the goal this year is 2,500 jobs with a “stretch goal” of 3,000.

He said more than 50 prospects are looking at the area. “That is up a little from the last couple of years.” Those prospects are considered “qualified” in that they have a serious project and are looking at the region, he said.

Mallot said that while the economy suffered during the recession, “companies are saying it is time again to hire and time to invest.” The five-county area of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties lost more than 60,000 jobs from the employment peak in May 2007 to this past January. The national recession began in December 2007 and ended in 2009.

“We are a year or two away from getting back to normal, but it is definitely increasing and by the end of the year, we will be humming,” said Mallot.

The chamber’s targeted industries are headquarters; financial services; logistics; life sciences; advanced manufacturing; aviation and aerospace; and information technology.

Cornerstone Chair Scott Keith, BB&T regional president, announced Friday that the chamber will use a $200,000 Econo-mic Development Administration Grant to define “future targeted industries subsectors” that will deepen understanding of Northeast Florida’s “competitive assets.”

Mallot said the grant is through the Northeast Florida Regional Council.

Mallot said the governor can play a strong role in recruitment. “We would love to have the governor in on every project if the opportunity was there, but we really take a look and assess the seriousness of a client and the impact the governor’s participation would have at the stage at which the decisionmaking process is going,” he said.

“We have to be cognizant of his time when we believe it is important in the process,” he said. “Sometimes it is important early in the process or sometimes later in the process.”

Mallot said that Peyton Chief of Staff Adam Hollingsworth, who had taken a leave of absence to work with the state Republican Party during Scott’s successful campaign, was helpful in bringing Scott to the table.

“He is able to evaluate the governor’s interest and availability to see if his timing and ours might match, so he has been very important,” said Mallot.

Of the 50 or so prospects, Mallot said some have just begun their search, some are coming closer to a decision, some are “very serious” and some are on hold or delayed.

“All of them have a project, have named the First Coast as a location option and are proceeding down the path,” he said.



http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533129

Hopefully the prospect of not having any school sports does not have a negative impact on the decision to choose Jax.  Not having school sports doesn't exactly increase quality of life for employees.

If you want a headquarters, especially. 

Ok I guess I will be the first one to say, THIS IS GOOD NEWS. Let's no always dwell on the negative. For every negative, the is a positive. I would love to see how this unfolds.

They are keeping very tight lipped about it. Hope they locate in Downtown!

Quote03/14/2011
By Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor

The chamber’s targeted industries are headquarters; financial services; logistics; life sciences; advanced manufacturing; aviation and aerospace; and information technology.

http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=533129

Unless they can confirm that "HEAVY TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT MANFACTURING" as part of their "advanced manufacturing," plans, they're missing a huge natural fit with both our history, skilled workforce and infrastructure. JACKSONVILLE SHOULD BE BUILDING TRANSIT AND RAILROAD EQUIPMENT.

OCKLAWAHA

Quote from: fsujax on March 14, 2011, 01:45:21 PM
They are keeping very tight lipped about it. Hope they locate in Downtown!

That is my hope!! We need business's downtown! If not that one, hopefully some of the others that they are talking with will locate downtown.

I am guessing it is not The Home Depot.

QuoteMallot said the goal this year is 2,500 jobs with a “stretch goal” of 3,000.

The five-county area of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties lost more than 60,000 jobs from the employment peak in May 2007 to this past January.

“We are a year or two away from getting back to normal, but it is definitely increasing and by the end of the year, we will be humming,” said Mallot.

Chamber Math is always a bit fuzzy, how does Mallot and his side-pal-clown Wally Lee plan to get back the 60,000 jobs lost by adding 2,500 to 3,000 per year and be back to that number within a year or two?

Face it folks, the Chamber is clueless, the only way to get those 60,000 jobs back is to see housing go back up and people start seeing their wealth levels rise. Until Housing comes back, we are just going to tread water in Jacksonville.

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 14, 2011, 05:59:04 PM

QuoteMallot said the goal this year is 2,500 jobs with a “stretch goal” of 3,000.

The five-county area of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties lost more than 60,000 jobs from the employment peak in May 2007 to this past January.

“We are a year or two away from getting back to normal, but it is definitely increasing and by the end of the year, we will be humming,” said Mallot.

Chamber Math is always a bit fuzzy, how does Mallot and his side-pal-clown Wally Lee plan to get back the 60,000 jobs lost by adding 2,500 to 3,000 per year and be back to that number within a year or two?

Face it folks, the Chamber is clueless, the only way to get those 60,000 jobs back is to see housing go back up and people start seeing their wealth levels rise. Until Housing comes back, we are just going to tread water in Jacksonville.

Over building houses is one of the reasons the we are in the mess we are in...this city needs shipping contracts and business growth in every sector

Manufacturing... what a beautiful word ... actually making something, building something .... would be good for the country, and it would be great for our downtown.  The best times and moods I've ever had in life is when I was building, fabricating .....  making something.  Its good for the soul.  It would be good for the city's soul too, and it's pocketbook.  I would like to see the statistics regarding manufacturing decline in the the US since the fifties.

I may attempt to come up with something to manufacture in one of the vacant buildings in the city core, and then we can teach the manufacturing skills to the fellows in Hemming Park.  As the business expanded we could hire more and more of the unemployed fellows, after training of course; even those who hang out outside of the city center.  Any ideas about what we could manufacture?

We might also simply look for possible existing manufacturers, in or out of the state, and entice them to locate in the core.  I hope that the powers at be use all persuasive powers to entice any company anticipating moving into the state, to look seriously into moving into the city core; that is, if their product or business is suitable for the core.  I sense that the powers at be are not aggressive enough when it comes to attracting business, especially something like manufacturing, to locate in the city core, or close to it.  I sense that for the most part they wait for something to happen.  The complacency is related partially perhaps to the fact that the government is involved.  If the entity concerned with bringing manufacturing or businesses to the core were private, I suspect that the results would be much better, as they must make a profit....they must get results to survive.

Quote from: ronchamblin on March 14, 2011, 10:04:22 PM
Manufacturing... what a beautiful word ... actually making something, building something .... would be good for the country, and it would be great for our downtown.  The best times and moods I've ever had in life is when I was building, fabricating .....  making something.  Its good for the soul.  It would be good for the city's soul too, and it's pocketbook.  I would like to see the statistics regarding manufacturing decline in the the US since the fifties.

I may attempt to come up with something to manufacture in one of the vacant buildings in the city core, and then we can teach the manufacturing skills to the fellows in Hemming Park.  As the business expanded we could hire more and more of the unemployed fellows, after training of course; even those who hang out outside of the city center.  Any ideas about what we could manufacture?

We might also simply look for possible existing manufacturers, in or out of the state, and entice them to locate in the core.  I hope that the powers at be use all persuasive powers to entice any company anticipating moving into the state, to look seriously into moving into the city core; that is, if their product or business is suitable for the core.  I sense that the powers at be are not aggressive enough when it comes to attracting business, especially something like manufacturing, to locate in the city core, or close to it.  I sense that for the most part they wait for something to happen.  The complacency is related partially perhaps to the fact that the government is involved.  If the entity concerned with bringing manufacturing or businesses to the core were private, I suspect that the results would be much better, as they must make a profit....they must get results to survive.

It is difficult to push a city toward new business when our students are stupid..no company wants a stupid populations...we can blame this on NCLB and the defunding of our educational system...this city has become a service oriented city...we all just serving eachother hambergers..lol...for new business' to want to be here...we must educate our kids and fund it....the republicans of this city have spent years in this city lowering taxes for the rich and have always had the attitude of "i got mine...screw you..."...

Quote from: ronchamblin on March 14, 2011, 10:04:22 PM
Manufacturing... what a beautiful word ...

I may attempt to come up with something to manufacture in one of the vacant buildings in the city core, and then we can teach the manufacturing skills to the fellows in Hemming Park.  As the business expanded we could hire more and more of the unemployed fellows, after training of course; even those who hang out outside of the city center.  Any ideas about what we could manufacture?

I like it Ron, let me toss a couple of ideas at you...

A Jacksonville designed and tested "TROPICAL" MONORAIL-BIKE system, for parks, amusements, health clubs and oh yeah, RIVERWALKS.
SEE:
http://inhabitat.com/google-invests-in-shweebs-peddle-powered-bike-monorail/
http://phenomnaltwincities.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/skyride-the-elevated-monorail-biking-and-rowing-machine/

Or for the more ambistious how about Streetcar restoration - (think fine yacht building skills) this little idea could be started for $20,000 and maybe less... the cars, well, scattered all over the south.

If you or anybody else likes these ideas, contact me, we'll talk about some volunteer work, car inspection, etc.

(http://i.feedtacoma.com/photos/969-rand-mxrs93v8fg.jpg)

How did I know that this topic was going to go south eventually  ::)

Are you really "creating" jobs if your goal is to get businesses to move here from somewhere else?  How about incentives that target existing businesses and encourage them to grow.

And how much will this cost the state/city coffers?  You know there must be a taxpayer-funded bribe in there somewhere to get these businesses to move.

^If there are economic incentives tied to job creation, I'm fine with it.  For example, FNF got a total of $12 million to move their headquarters to Jacksonville.  Nationwide, it was probably a net growth of 0 jobs, however it was a very good deal for the city.  The incentives were tied to FNF creating 750 jobs, 500 of which had to be local hires, with a total average salary of $62,000.  I'm fine with that deal.

Thanks Ock.  Will get back.  Going south Duvaldude?  Well… sort of.  Sometimes however, teasing possibilities, almost joking, will lead to something solid.  If the pressure of need exists in an environment, resolution and success can sometimes emerge from the exchange of ideas and proposals, even though some are tongue in cheek. 
In my original post contained wishful thinking and possibilities, few will argue that the suggestions are not a partial match for the needs in the core environment.  Within most situations of need, all that is needed for progress toward solution is a vision of solid description, one that is viable and of reasonable probability of success.   To implement and carry through, all that is needed is individuals who have the desire, tenacity, and the resources of time and funds.  Lack of funds can sometimes be resolved with the right creativity.  After the viable vision exists, the two most important of the required attributes is desire and the tenacity.   
Of course, in the interest of occasional humor, and of exercising our abilities to stretch our imaginations, we may waste a few digital megabits.  However, I am always optimistic.  The Great and Magnificent Oak Sleeps Within the little Acorn. 

^^^I know. I think it is a natural for us to jump to the negative sometimes because they are always dangling the carrot in front of us. Great post also.

I agree with Steve.  While moving companies to Jax won't get America out of this economic slump, it will significantly help our local economy.  Also, and I say this often, look at Charlotte.  I imagine if BOA and Wachovia never relocated there, their downtown would be in as bad of shape as ours.  A great corporation headquartered in Jacksonville that is a supporter of the city can do wonders.  Right now I don't think that our big companies are reciprocating the good treatment that the city has given them.  We have Deutsche Bank with 1,000+ employees, Merrill Lynch with 1,000+, BCBS with untold thousands, BOA, CSX, FNF, LPS, Vistakon, PSS.......etc.  Other than LPS and Everbank, I can't think of a single one that has given back to the city to further QOL lately.

Another thing to think about is that the more companies you have in your city, the more you'll get.  I'm sure DB's decision to come here had a lot to do with Merrill and BOA already being here.  Why does everyone go to NYC, ATL, Charlotte, San Fran...etc?  They go because similar companies are already there and there are synergies and benefits to building a critical mass of similar corporations.  It's not like two mom and pop shops battling over the lunch crowd.  The reach of these companies is global, so they focus more on infrastructure being in place to support an office and services already being there before they relocate.

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 15, 2011, 10:46:19 AM
The reach of these companies is global, so they focus more on infrastructure being in place to support an office and services already being there before they relocate.

The talent pool available to a company is just as important.  If your business depends on, say, software programmers, you are not going to relocate to a place where programming skills are few and far between.

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 15, 2011, 10:46:19 AM
I agree with Steve.  While moving companies to Jax won't get America out of this economic slump, it will significantly help our local economy.  Also, and I say this often, look at Charlotte.  I imagine if BOA and Wachovia never relocated there, their downtown would be in as bad of shape as ours.  A great corporation headquartered in Jacksonville that is a supporter of the city can do wonders.  Right now I don't think that our big companies are reciprocating the good treatment that the city has given them.  We have Deutsche Bank with 1,000+ employees, Merrill Lynch with 1,000+, BCBS with untold thousands, BOA, CSX, FNF, LPS, Vistakon, PSS.......etc.  Other than LPS and Everbank, I can't think of a single one that has given back to the city to further QOL lately.

Another thing to think about is that the more companies you have in your city, the more you'll get.  I'm sure DB's decision to come here had a lot to do with Merrill and BOA already being here.  Why does everyone go to NYC, ATL, Charlotte, San Fran...etc?  They go because similar companies are already there and there are synergies and benefits to building a critical mass of similar corporations.  It's not like two mom and pop shops battling over the lunch crowd.  The reach of these companies is global, so they focus more on infrastructure being in place to support an office and services already being there before they relocate.

+++10 Captian. And about Charolette, I actually spoke with an insurance agent from up there and he stated that they fear since Wells Fargo has taken over they may leave Charlotte. Maybe theyre the company relocating here and are setting up shop in the MODIS building (ok yeah Im dreaming dont judge me. Whats wrong with wishful thinking  :D)

And yes you are correct about charolette. BOA and Wachovia pumped ALOT of money into that city. If it wasnt for them, their downtown would be dead as a door knob.

Duval its ok to dream....the Wells Fargo relocation would be awesome!

Quote from: finehoe on March 15, 2011, 11:11:40 AM

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 15, 2011, 10:46:19 AM
The reach of these companies is global, so they focus more on infrastructure being in place to support an office and services already being there before they relocate.

The talent pool available to a company is just as important.  If your business depends on, say, software programmers, you are not going to relocate to a place where programming skills are few and far between.

And believe it or not, schools are a big issue as well.  I know of one corporate relocation consultant, who works primarily in the insurance industry, and she confided one of the biggest problem Jax had as a relocation candidate was its schools.  She claimed it was near impossible to sell Jax as a relocation point to a board room full of potentially transplanting executives if any of them would have children in tow.  Nothing distressed them more than the prospect of all the headaches of relocating compounded by the very real possibility of a negatively affected home life.  Whether it's real or imagined the perception that Duval schools are downright detrimental to a child's education or development is deadly. Needless to say, the quality of the education also dramatically affects the quality of the work force.

Wouldn't be surprised if it is NAFH National Bank based in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

If Jacksonville attracts this HQ, which I'm all for and hope for, it will go against everything I have been saying on here and on FTU.  I have been saying our taxes are too low to support the kind of environment that many F500 companies desire to be in.

Granted, while I think Jacksonville should take whatever it can get at this point, with incentives if necessary, I won't be giddy over many of the potential companies relocating here.  Some large companies may bring jobs to the area, but that does not mean that most of those jobs will be high paying or that the company will build a new tower and become a city benefactor.

I would be shocked if Jacksonville attracted a financial institution or a company requiring class A office space and a population of Ivy League MBAs.

Brian Moynihan of BofA has been one of the most influential people in Charlotte's history, as well as Duke Energy president Jim Rodgers.  Both can be credited with bringing LYNX, a slew of new museums and cultural venues, several office towers, virtually all of the new residential towers in Uptown, and almost anything else that we give credit to Charlotte for (including the DNC).  Of course as great as some of our own CEOs are, none are near the same level as Moynihan and Rodgers in terms of significance/press/influence.  Perhaps Rummell is the closest we have.

Garden Guy, when we talk about America and certain micro-economies being service oriented, that's usually a good thing (as in white collar jobs, not McDonald's jobs).  Just because a person works the drive through window does not mean that that person is part of the service oriented economy, but is in the "services" industry...kinda'.  The services industry is more akin to hotels, retail, resort, bars/clubs, and full service restaurants.  99% of McDonald's employees are either young and in school or blue collar, and McDonald's is neither part of the service oriented economy or the services industry, but rather the massive fast food industry.  And truth be told, with semantics, there is the chain-hotel industry which is part of the overall "service industry sector."

Quote from: fsujax on March 15, 2011, 12:56:31 PM
Duval its ok to dream....the Wells Fargo relocation would be awesome!

Wells Fargo would be awesome indeed.  However, senior WF brass has been reticent to move to Jacksonville in the past.  Shelley Freeman wasn't interested in living in our area because it's often seen as unfriendly to gays and lesbians. So she and her partner moved to the Miami area.

This is where the rubber of winning new industry for Jacksonville meets the road of our hostility to difference.  (And probably lots of other quality of life issues in the mix, as well.)  This Creative Class stuff matters.

QuoteWhy does everyone go to NYC, ATL, Charlotte, San Fran...etc?

Duh, follow the money. Those cities have huge amounts of blue bloods and new money as well. Money contributes to the arts which contributes to new social programs allowing the governments more money for (well waste for one thing) but other capital projects. They are not perfect, but money helps grease all wheels.

Manufacturing? Its dead in the US. Plain and simple. If the unions did not have two hands around Detroit, all cars would be made overseas, where you can pay a 3rd world 10 cents on the dollar compared to the American labor force. Any manufacturing job where labor is 60% or more of the cost can be shipped overseas. Don't look for a resurgence in manufacturing anytime soon in the U.S.

So what does that leave us with, here in Jax? Well, how about logistics? What if Landstar took over a building AND parking and moved from their over-crowded campus on the southside for a downtown residence? Crowley just renovated their buildings in Regency, so they are probably out, but Trailer Bridge could be enticed to move as could other logistic suppliers and companies here in Jax. Why not turn Jacksonville into a Logitistics town, and get away from the paltry service jobs of servicing mortgages?

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 16, 2011, 04:48:38 AM
Manufacturing? Its dead in the US. Plain and simple.  ...  Don't look for a resurgence in manufacturing anytime soon in the U.S.

Don't be so sure:

"United States manufacturers expanded at the fastest pace in nearly seven years in February, as factories continue to bolster economic growth. "  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/business/economy/02econ.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=manufacturing&st=cse

"For the first time in many years, American manufacturing is doing better than the rest of the economy. "  http://www.economist.com/node/18332894?story_id=18332894&CFID=165364178&CFTOKEN=90039116

B/c companies have been so good with increasing productivity from less workers... labor costs have actually gone down in this country, which is the exact opposite of what has happened in Europe.  China is beginning to see this trend as well, which is why Brazil has become a burgeoning manufacturing base.  Brazil's economy is also helped by its natural resources for sure... but a blanket statement about US manufacturing such as MTrain is simply not true.

Manufacturing in the US is far from dead.

You would be suprised at the amount of goods(both end consumer products and 2nd stage products) manufactured here in Jax.



I can assure all of you... Wells Fargo is not relocating its corporate HQ here.  :)


Captain is absolutely right about our current Fortune 500 companies that do far too little to reinvest in Jax.  Perhaps though they see that we are too cheap to reinvest in ourselves, so why should they?  It's a very fair point.

fieldafm,

My eyes are going but that looks like a wink in your post. 

I know this is secretive stuff, but if you know a rumor:

Is it a company most people will recognize? 

 

Quote from: fieldafm on March 16, 2011, 09:41:49 AM
I can assure all of you... Wells Fargo is not relocating its corporate HQ here.  :)

Well that was my pipe dream I had the other day. Im sure they are not either LOL

I've heard about 5 potential rumors linked to that article.  Two would make sense, one kind of makes sense but not really and the other two sound more like wild speculation.

All 5 names I've heard are all companies I am familiar with.

But I know for a fact that Wells Fargo isn't one of them. 

@fieldafm you suck!  ;D Your dangling the carrot in front of us. Youre such a tease ::)

fieldafm,

Thank you! 

I'm not that important to know who it actually is... just rumors, two from people who tend to be right about these matters.

I just know Wells is not even close to be the ones thinking of moving corp HQ here.

^^ Well Im sure of that. Im the one who threw that out there in a previous post. Well's fargo relocating Is something I made up in my imagination. LOL

Quote from: fieldafm on March 16, 2011, 10:41:55 AM
But I know for a fact that Wells Fargo isn't one of them. 

Are you sure?  I mean, who wouldn't want to leave San Francisco for Jacksonville?  ;)

Maybe it's Rice A Roni. I heard they are trying to change their image.

QuoteManufacturing in the US is far from dead.

Stop acting like the DCPS Chairmain and blowing hot air, please show me some numbers.

Wells Fargo is pretty much the epitome of SF. To me, it even feels kinda weird having WF Banks east of the Mississippi. While I agree that I don't see WF going anywhere, lets not act like it's impossible for a prominent company in bigger a metro to relocate to a smaller metro. There are constant examples. Lets not forget about Santa Barbara, CA in that thriving SoCal metroplex lost FNF to Jax.

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 16, 2011, 11:11:13 PM...please show me some numbers.

See accompanying charts:  http://www.economist.com/node/18332894?story_id=18332894&CFID=165364178&CFTOKEN=90039116

PLS Logistics of Pittsburgh chose Jacksonville for a regional headquarters. The article stated Rick Scott personnaly assisted. 



http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/18/mallot-pls-logistics-picks-jacksonville.html

Quote from: Jdog on March 18, 2011, 11:59:06 AM
PLS Logistics of Pittsburgh chose Jacksonville for a regional headquarters. The article stated Rick Scott personnaly assisted.  



http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/18/mallot-pls-logistics-picks-jacksonville.html

Well there's one. It was said there were several companies to relocate. But thats not a corporate headquarters so that one is still a mystery.

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 16, 2011, 11:11:13 PM

QuoteManufacturing in the US is far from dead.

Stop acting like the DCPS Chairmain and blowing hot air, please show me some numbers.

Pick up a copy of last week's business journal.

Stop being a negative wet rag... and learn for yourself.

Quote from: Jdog on March 18, 2011, 11:59:06 AM
PLS Logistics of Pittsburgh chose Jacksonville for a regional headquarters. The article stated Rick Scott personnaly assisted. 



http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/18/mallot-pls-logistics-picks-jacksonville.html

I think this was already in the works and mabye Scott just helped push it along. I remember hearing about this last year sometime.

Quote from: Jdog on March 18, 2011, 11:59:06 AM
PLS Logistics of Pittsburgh chose Jacksonville for a regional headquarters. The article stated Rick Scott personnaly assisted. 

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/18/mallot-pls-logistics-picks-jacksonville.html

Is this the big news??  Seems like a lot of work for 100 employees.  If we have to bring in the Governor to help entice logistics companies, that doesn't say much for the CAPITAL OF LOGISTICS or whatever we claim to be.

Quote from: Captain Zissou on March 18, 2011, 12:29:36 PM

Quote from: Jdog on March 18, 2011, 11:59:06 AM
PLS Logistics of Pittsburgh chose Jacksonville for a regional headquarters. The article stated Rick Scott personnaly assisted. 

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/18/mallot-pls-logistics-picks-jacksonville.html

Is this the big news??  Seems like a lot of work for 100 employees.  If we have to bring in the Governor to help entice logistics companies, that doesn't say much for the CAPITAL OF LOGISTICS or whatever we claim to be.

Captin I think this is old. I remember hearing about this long before Scott was voted in.

PLS wasn't the potential company being referred to in the article from a couple of days ago.

I don't think Scott came in physically for this (more conference call stuff)...but I do think he came to town to meet with the potential headquarters relocation corporation. 

Quote from: fieldafm on March 18, 2011, 12:35:44 PM
PLS wasn't the potential company being referred to in the article from a couple of days ago.

I didnt think so filedafm. Thanks for clearing it up

Is this the company headquarters?  Saft batteries?

http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-03-22/story/battery-maker-saft-moving-north-american-headquarters-jacksonville (http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-03-22/story/battery-maker-saft-moving-north-american-headquarters-jacksonville)

Saft moving from the metropolis of Valdosta to Jacksonville with their 7 employees in tow. How does this rate front page coverage? Are Mallot and his bumbling twin Lee paying the Times Union for placement these days? That was a joke!

I

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 23, 2011, 08:21:45 AM
Saft moving from the metropolis of Valdosta to Jacksonville with their 7 employees in tow. How does this rate front page coverage? Are Mallot and his bumbling twin Lee paying the Times Union for placement these days? That was a joke!

I assume the new $200 million dollar plant employing 300 people is the bigger story.

QuoteI assume the new $200 million dollar plant employing 300 people is the bigger story.

That is old news, that was announced months ago. The news that 7 people are moving from Valdosta to Jacksonville to move the GALAXY HQ of SAFT to Jacksonville was so riveting, I could hardly contain myself when I read my paper today.

To me the good news is that with the HQ here that future expansion would likely be here as well.

Quote
Saft, whose global headquarters is in Paris, won a $95.5 million federal grant and another $20.2 million in state and city financial incentives to build the 235,000-square-foot plant. The corporate headquarters relocation does not involve any additional incentives.

Is this corporate welfare?  Is there a french blog site discussing the loss of jobs to america?

Yes, it is corporate welfare and should not have happened.

Quote from: mtraininjax on March 23, 2011, 08:29:21 AM

QuoteI assume the new $200 million dollar plant employing 300 people is the bigger story.

That is old news, that was announced months ago. The news that 7 people are moving from Valdosta to Jacksonville to move the GALAXY HQ of SAFT to Jacksonville was so riveting, I could hardly contain myself when I read my paper today.

Whatever floats your boat...

Quote from: urbanlibertarian on March 23, 2011, 12:50:43 PM
Yes, it is corporate welfare and should not have happened.

So... "corporate welfare" and "incentives" is simply a matter of perspective?

Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 23, 2011, 02:01:30 PM
So... "corporate welfare" and "incentives" is simply a matter of perspective?

Just two different names for funneling public money to private business.

Quote from: finehoe on March 23, 2011, 02:04:46 PM

Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 23, 2011, 02:01:30 PM
So... "corporate welfare" and "incentives" is simply a matter of perspective?

Just two different names for funneling public money to private business.

As I thought.  The term "corporate welfare" is used frequently here and seems to be generally considered a bad thing.  I must then assume that since an "incentive" is simply a "different name" then it must also be less than desireable...

Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 23, 2011, 02:17:28 PM
I must then assume that since an "incentive" is simply a "different name" then it must also be less than desireable...

We don't often agree BT, but you assume correctly.

 :D  Have a great week finehoe! :D

Isn't stimulus spending also corporate welfare?

Quote from: urbanlibertarian on March 23, 2011, 02:58:08 PM
Isn't stimulus spending also corporate welfare?

Technically, no because the funds are distributed to state and local governments, not private businesses.  However, said governments could then use those monies in such a way that could be construed as corporate welfare.

I'm now assuming it's safe to definitely conclude that, yes, Saft headquarters was the company being referenced. 

Quote from: Jdog on April 01, 2011, 10:16:30 AM
I'm now assuming it's safe to definitely conclude that, yes, Saft headquarters was the company being referenced.  

The Chamber said that one is a company currently HQ'ed in New York.

Quote from: Jdog on April 01, 2011, 10:16:30 AM
I'm now assuming it's safe to definitely conclude that, yes, Saft headquarters was the company being referenced. 

SAft relocating here was announced last year. This is not the "big" news.

Hey, at least the new governor is honest... he promised us 700,000 new jobs and with this headquarters move he's only got 699,993 to go! Right on Rick!

OCKLAWAHA

Thanks for the updates then. 

The ultimate parent of Adecco is in Europe, but the North American headquarters is in Long Island, NY.  Wonder if there's a chance with Adecco North America Group.  Would kind of resemble the Fidelity relocation. 

Quote from: danem on April 01, 2011, 10:25:19 AM

Quote from: Jdog on April 01, 2011, 10:16:30 AM
I'm now assuming it's safe to definitely conclude that, yes, Saft headquarters was the company being referenced. 

The Chamber said that one is a company currently HQ'ed in New York.

Citigroup? Just kidding.

Quote from: duvaldude08 on April 01, 2011, 11:13:04 AM

Quote from: Jdog on April 01, 2011, 10:16:30 AM
I'm now assuming it's safe to definitely conclude that, yes, Saft headquarters was the company being referenced. 

SAft relocating here was announced last year. This is not the "big" news.

yes and no....they announced a new factory last year....but the relocation of their HQ was a new announcement

Eola founder: New major tenant for Modis building close
Jacksonville Business Journal - by Ashley Gurbal, Staff writer
Date: Monday, April 11, 2011, 5:52pm EDT



A new major tenant in the former Modis Building should be announced within 60 days, said the founder of Eola Capital LLC, which owns the property.

Parkway Properties Inc. (NYSE: PKY) announced Monday that it had acquired six properties from Eola as part of a merger. That portfolio includes the St. Joe Building at 245 Riverside Ave., which sold for $18.5 million.

As a result of that merger, more Jacksonville office buildings will likely change hands â€" including the former Modis Building, once a major tenant has been signed.

“The purpose of this is to become a combined company that can grow quicker than we could on our own,” Jim Heistand, Eola founder, said in a phone interview. “We were going to file an [initial public offering], and be public ourselves, but we can compete more effectively and grow this company much quicker this way. There are other assets in other markets we want to acquire that neither one of us currently owns.”

The agreement includes purchase options for three suburban Jacksonville office buildings: Capital Plaza I, Capital Plaza II and Capital Plaza III, all of which are located on Deerwood Park Boulevard.

Eola’s most prominent Jacksonville holding, the former Modis Building at 1 Independent Drive, is not mentioned in the agreement but is being discussed, Heistand said.

He said the departure of the largest tenant, MPS Group Inc., has put the discussion on hold.

“I will tell you it’s pretty imminent, in terms of being able to replace them,” Heistand said. “Once that gets done, it’s a lot easier for Parkway to discuss bringing that on board. In this particular case, with the Modis Building, replacing that tenant makes a huge difference in something like this.”

Under the merger, Heistand will become executive chairman of the board of directors of Parkway.

Eola owns "some other assets in the Butler corridor and Belfort and over in the Southpark area,” Heistand said. “So we own other assets, and I can’t say every single one will necessarily be purchased by Parkway, but some of those we will ultimately over time transfer.”

Home Depot?

Just kidding...

Quote from: fsujax on March 14, 2011, 01:45:21 PM
They are keeping very tight lipped about it. Hope they locate in Downtown!

With Scott and Peyton in charge, I'd be really surprised if they do locate DT. Let's just keep our fingers crossed. 

But on a positive note, I've been seeing groupes of people being led on, what seems to be tours of the buildings. I hope they're the new businesses inquiring for possible reuse of the old buildings.

Has anyone else noticed this going on?

Quote from: urbaknight on April 13, 2011, 02:27:25 PM

But on a positive note, I've been seeing groupes of people being led on, what seems to be tours of the buildings. I hope they're the new businesses inquiring for possible reuse of the old buildings.

Has anyone else noticed this going on?

Yes!  My friend Beth Slater is leading a historical downtown tour through a local tour company.  She posts on here occasionally as well and has an urban issues blog page, Bold City 5.0.  She would probably want me to mention that the inspiration for her tour group leader outfit comes from her great grandmother Linda Frost Sheddan, whose striking account of the 1901 fire appears in Wayne Wood and Bill Foley's Great Fire book.

Thanks, WP! I have led some Downtown walking tours in recent weeks. We go through the Landing, Independent Life, Atlantic National Bank, and the Florida Theatre. The outfit, a white dress and big white hat, is inspired by my great-grandmother. We talk about history, art and culture, current events, architecture and whatever questions the guests have.

I work with AdLib Luxury Tours: http://www.adlibtours.com/ (http://www.adlibtours.com/)

DVI and the Chamber of Commerce/Cornerstone also have building/site selection tours, though I don't know anything about their schedules or frequency.

Any more word on Scott's visit yielding fruits of a new headquarters? 

Any update on this??

Florida, Texas Front-Runners To Lure CME Group

By Howard Packowitz
Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

CHICAGO (Dow Jones)--Florida and Texas are believed to be the strongest contenders to lure some of the key operations of CME Group Inc. (CME) from its historical base in Chicago, a spokesman for the Florida Governor's office said Monday.

CME cited an unfair tax burden in Illinois for exploring such a move after the state legislature in January raised the corporate tax rate from 4.8% to 7%, costing the exchange operator $50 million per year, according to CME Chairman Terry Duffy.

Florida Governor Rick Scott, elected last year as part of the anti-tax Tea Party movement, believes the Sunshine State and Texas are "the most competitive and that it's going to come down to one of those states," said Lane Wright, Scott's press secretary.

It's Scott's impression after meeting with CME leaders that the exchange will likely move a significant number of jobs to either of the two states, Wright said.

Scott sent a letter to CME in June promoting Florida's business friendly environment. Texas Governor Rick Perry, now a candidate for the Republican nomination for President, sent similar letters to several Illinois firms, including CME...

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110912-711503.html


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To the insiders: Any Jacksonville rumors?