Here is the major announcement Mayor Peyton hinted at a few weeks ago.
QuoteSaft America, an international company that manufactures high-tech batteries, announced today it wants to build a factory costing up to $200 million in Jacksonville.
The plant would generate 800 jobs, according to the announcement. It would make lithium-ion cells and integrate batteries for a host of uses, including in military vehicles and aviation.
Saft is the previously unidentified company that Mayor John Peyton referred to a few weeks ago when he said there could soon be an announcement by a company interested in Cecil Commerce Center, which is located on Jacksonville's Westside.
Saft has applied for a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help build the plant. The company said it is seeking $100 million.
"This 'factory of the future' will help the administration reach its goals to stimulate the economy by creating an estimated 800 new jobs within three years and it will accelerate the market for and reduce the costs of renewable energy technologies in the U.S.," said Saft America Chief Executive Officer Thomas Alcide.
Saft also has been in talks with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and state of Florida about financial incentives.
"Creating additional, high-wage jobs in this community is a top priority of my office and I look forward to working with Saft officials to help bring these investments to our community," Peyton said.
http://www.jacksonville.com/business/2009-05-28/story/saft_america_wants_to_build_200_million_plant_in_jacksonville
Sounds like good news. It also sounds like all the jobs would be locally created as opposed to transplanting people in.
Cecil Commerce Center is on the move as is Jacksonville, or it so appears. This is the second announcement in a week regarding a company wanting to build at Cecil or will build at Cecil. Good news indeed for the Jax economy and for the area as a whole.
Heights Unknown
Here's their press release:
http://www.saftbatteries.com/SAFT/UploadedFiles/PressOffice/2009/CP_25-09_en.pdf
It also appears that they already have some sort of presence in Valdosta (distribution).
Excellent news, as I live in the Argyle area. After hearing rumblings of the final assembler of the C-27 Spartan pulling out due to defense spending, this is welcomed news.
Welcomed news? Who is kidding who here? $100,000,000 / 800 = $125,000 per job. What is the return to the community on the payout? The city and JEDC has a great track record of giving away our tax dollars for little if no return.
This is another bad idea, for 800 jobs, if they had 8,000 coming that might be different. This is nothing more than a glorified call center opening.
Well for Jacksonville there is no downside as the Feds are putting up the 100mil. I think that grant has more to do with the industry specific item being produced than the jobs based on the fact it would come from the Dept of Energy.
QuoteWell for Jacksonville there is no downside as the Feds are putting up the 100mil.
LOL, ONE WORD FOR YOU: SKYWAY
After 180 million dollars, we may have 1,700 riders a day, we will never see that return on the money. Sort of like the 1 Billion we gave to Amtrak this year.
All the hubbub over a company that wants to make batteries, is all just BS. The feds are promoting the battery manufacturing in the states that were hardest hit with the auto losses, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and even California (to soften the federal ownership). Florida has such a larger diverse economy, don't look for battery manufacturing to be the next great wave at Cecil, we simply have not lost the number of jobs that the midwest has seen.
Saft wins $95.5 million grant QuoteThe U.S. Department of Energy today announced a $95.5 million grant for Saft America to build a high-tech battery plant at Cecil Commerce Center on Jacksonville's Westside.
Saft, which has its global headquarters in France, won in a highly-competitive application process for $1.5 billion in federal grants aimed at boosting the manufacture of high-tech batteries in the U.S.
Saft has said it would build a $200 million plant creating up to 800 jobs in Jacksonville if it could get a federal grant and a package of local and state financial incentives. Saft had sought a $100 million federal grant.
The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and Saft have been in talks over the state and local incentives, but a package has not yet been brought to the JEDC for a vote. The City Council would have to approve the package as well.
"If we want to reduce our dependence on oil, put Americans back to work and reassert our manufacturing sector as one of the greatest in the world, we must produce the advanced, efficient vehicles of the future," President Obama said in a statement announcing the recipients of the grants.
Saft plans to manufacture lithium-ion cells, modules and battery packs at the Jacksonville plant for military, industrial and agricultural vehicles, according to the U.S. Department of Energy announcement.
http://www.jacksonville.com/business/2009-08-05/story/saft_wins_955_million_grant_for_battery_plant_in_jacksonville
Bring it on.
CHARGE!!!
(sorry, couldn't resist) ;)
I think it's good for Jacksonville, if not for additional money at least for the image of the City. I say "CHARGE" and "BRING IT ON" also.
Heights Unknown
This is only step 1, they still need the City and the State to give tax-payer incentives to them to assist in the creation of the jobs. It will be interesting to see how much the state/city give away per job.
QuoteThis is only step 1, they still need the City and the State to give tax-payer incentives to them to assist in the creation of the jobs.
This just in:
QuoteThe Jacksonville Economic Development Commission has approved a $20.2 million incentive package for Saft America Inc. to build a lithium ion battery plant at Cecil Commerce Center that will employ at least 279.
The incentive package approved Aug. 13 includes $5.3 million worth of city incentives and $14.9 million worth of state incentives.
I think it is going to work out to about $100,000 per job if it's 200+ jobs and a total of $20 million in incentives. $25,000 per job if its 800+ jobs. I'll bet on the higher figure myself. Battery factories are highly automated.
Quote from: heights unknown on May 28, 2009, 05:20:14 PM
Cecil Commerce Center is on the move as is Jacksonville, or it so appears. This is the second announcement in a week regarding a company wanting to build at Cecil or will build at Cecil. Good news indeed for the Jax economy and for the area as a whole.
Heights Unknown
HU this post is Good :o
Quote from: JaxBorn1962 on October 14, 2009, 08:41:18 PM
Quote from: heights unknown on May 28, 2009, 05:20:14 PM
Cecil Commerce Center is on the move as is Jacksonville, or it so appears. This is the second announcement in a week regarding a company wanting to build at Cecil or will build at Cecil. Good news indeed for the Jax economy and for the area as a whole.
Heights Unknown
HU this post is Good :o
Have they broken ground yet? I haven't heard of anything. The Alenia plant is probably on permanent hold since they cut the number of planes to a handful (thank you AF). Emberare fell through. Hope for the best but on"t expect much
As I understand it, the project is moving ahead but the site requires a lot of prep. JEDC claims that Alenia is not dead, but it certainly does not look promising.
QuoteSaft Confirms Location for Lithium-Ion Battery Factory in Jacksonville, Florida
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Following receipt of a $95 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and successful negotiations between Saft, the state of Florida, and the city of Jacksonville, construction will soon begin in Jacksonville for the lithium-ion (Li-ion) factory of the future.
The total estimated cost of the project is around $200 million, and it will bring roughly 279 jobs to the area during the next six years.
"Florida is stepping onto the world stage as a major marketplace for advanced energy technologies," said Governor Charlie Crist. "We are excited about Saft establishing their lithium-ion factory in Florida, and we look forward to their being a part of Florida's renewable energy future."
To be located at Cecil Commerce Center, Saft's new facility will be a high-volume manufacturing plant building advanced Li-ion cells and batteries for military hybrid vehicles, aviation, smart grid support, broadband back-up power and energy storage for renewable energy.
"The City of Jacksonville looks forward to having Saft America, Inc. as a strong community partner at Cecil and is eager to see their development of lithium-ion cells and batteries that will help address the nation's energy needs," said Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton. "This truly was a collaborative effort with local, state and federal officials working together to attract this international company to Jacksonville and I greatly appreciate all of the hard work to strengthen Jacksonville's position as the ideal location for their battery plant."
Construction is scheduled to commence within the next few months and be completed before the end of 2010. The presence of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures that competitive battery solutions will be imminently available to the U.S. and world markets from the Jacksonville facility.
"We extend our thanks to the Governor's Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership and Enterprise Florida for their dedication to bringing this project to fruition. Through this partnership between Saft, the city of Jacksonville, and the state of Florida, we are going to build an advanced factory of the future and bring many high-technology jobs to Jacksonville," said Thomas Alcide, president of Saft America, Inc.
About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance applications, such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defense. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialized advanced technologies for the defense and space industries. With approximately 4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers worldwide. Saft is listed in the SBF 120 index on the Paris Stock Market.
http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=142207&Itemid=65
Just to let everyone know, the word "saft" is german and means "Juice." Orangesaft, "orange juice."
Heights Unknown
Great name for a battery company! "We store juice!"
Some juice is stronger than other juice. Made the mistake of ordering apple juice (applesaft) in Switzerland one time at lunch and had to stop driving and take a room for the night. In Germany it's apple juice, in Switzerland it's very hard cider and delicious.
Ground was broke on March 15th, and is scheduled to start making batteries in 2011.
http://jacksonville.com/business/2010-03-15/story/saft_plant_counted_on_to_spark_jacksonville_in_clean_energy_sector
This is good news for my neighboring Cecil.