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INVESTOR NEWSLETTER - AUGUST 2010
Digital Risk Holds Grand Opening Ceremony
 Digital Risk, a leading asset management solutions provider, held its grand opening ceremony this month. The company selected Jacksonville as the site of its new satellite office earlier this year, committing to add more than 300 jobs to the Northeast Florida economy.  Vice president of Human Excellence Ron Driggers said "Jacksonville is a perfect growth location for us and the availability of talent is impressive." Keynote speakers at the ceremony included Mayor John Peyton, City Council President Jack Webb and Chamber Chair Kelly Madden. More information about Digital Risk can be found on the company's website.
Revive the Pride at the Cornerstone Jaguars Lunch
 Show your support for the Jaguars and register now for the second annual Quarterly Cornerstone Luncheon Presented by United Way on Tuesday, September 7 at the Prime Osborn. This is an important event for our community and we look forward to rallying with you at the official kickoff for the 2010 Jaguars season. Sponsors for the event have the opportunity to select the player or coach that sits at their table. Corporate tables will have a randomly selected player or coach at their table. Register now at www.opportunityjacksonville.com.
Parking a Key Issue for Downtown Revitalization
The Chamber's Board of Governor’s downtown revitalization committee has been meeting for several months. At its last meeting, the focus was on the parking environment in the core area of downtown. Presentations and discussions were held with leaders of JEDC, JTA and Downtown Vision, which showed the assets and challenges of downtown parking. There is a great deal of public and private parking in the downtown core area but it is not coordinated under one agency or easily understood by day or night users. Parking is considered by the committee as one of the critical elements that must be addressed and simplified as we move toward solutions on governance for downtown and increased vitality in the core area.
Vote "No On 4"
 Cornerstone vigorously supports the "No On 4" initiative, which is working to defeat Amendment 4 in the November elections. If passed, Amendment 4 will lead to heavy job loss and higher costs for Floridians. The Chamber's Access publication, now published in 904 magazine, features a Q&A that provides details of how this amendment will affect the continued growth of economic development in our region. Bill Rupp, CEO of the Mayo Clinic and Chairman of the Vote "No on 4" campaign, gave an outstanding presentation to the Chamber trustees on why amendment 4 will destroy jobs, stop growth and ultimately raise taxes. If you would like Dr. Rupp or another representative to come speak to your company about the impact of Amendment 4, contact Lisa Daniel at (904) 366-6626 or Lisa.Daniel@myjaxchamber.com. More information can be found on the "No on 4" website.
Meet the Cornerstone Team... John Haley, Senior Vice President of Business Development
 John Haley is Cornerstone's resident knowledge expert on aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing and military issues. You have most likely seen him at a Business Development Committee meeting, Military Issue Committee meeting or at the Chamber's annual Military Appreciation Luncheon. John has been working on high-level projects and boosting economic development efforts for the past 16 years. He has participated in a number of high profile events for the region including the annual international Paris and Farnborough Air Shows. John was Cornerstone's project manger for the French lithium-ion manufacturer, Saft, who will make electricity storage and transmission batteries for solar and wind farms. Last year's Paris Air Show was a closing point for the Saft project, which is moving forward at Cecil Commerce Center.
Some notable projects John has played a key role in include:
- Bridgestone Firestone, which added 250 new jobs and $35 million in capital investment
- FlightStar Aircraft Services, which brought 150 new jobs and $11 million in capital investment
- The Boeing Company, which added 60 new jobs and $25 million in capital investment
- Saft America, which created 279 new jobs and $200 million in capital investment
John has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and has substantial national industry experience. He served as the Principal Economic Development Consultant for a firm in Virginia that specialized in relocation advisory services to corporations and assistance to state and local communities in the development of economic development programs.
John is designated by the International Economic Development Council as a Certified Economic Development Professional. John has also served as President of the Florida Economic Development Council and has been named as that organization's Economic Development Professional of the Year in 1985.
Business Rankings
- Florida was recently ranked No. 1 in the nation for its workforce, according to a recent CNBC study: America’s Top States for Business.
- Florida’s economic outlook ranks fifth in the nation, according to a study from the American Legislative Exchange Council. Download the report.
- Jacksonville ranks No. 1 on the list of Ten Best Cities for Recreation by Parenting magazine.
- Two Jacksonville schools--Stanton College Prep and Paxon School for Advanced Studies--rank on Newsweek's America's Top 10 High Schools list.
- Community College Week's annual report ranked Florida State College at Jacksonville as the eight largest producer of associate degrees in the U.S.
- The Tax Foundation ranked Florida as the Fifth most business-friendly state.
- Portfolio.com ranked Jacksonville as the 13th best place to launch a new business in 2010, up from 25th in 2009.
Future of Florida Forum
 The Florida Chamber of Commerce is holding its 2010 Future of Florida Forum Oct. 11-12 at the Disney Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Orlando. This two-day Forum is an opportunity to take a proactive interest in shaping Florida's future. World-renowned keynote speakers, including Steve Forbes, will focus on how our state's business community must "evolve or die" in order to thrive in the global marketplace. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to the discussion on Florida's new economy, gain political insight from key state and national experts and to hear Florida's benchmarking report with the unveiling of the 2010 Florida Scorecard. Register for the Forum.
Sincerely,
Lee Thomas
Cornerstone Chair
Chairman of Rayonier
 Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties
3 Independent Drive • Jacksonville Fl 32202 • 904.366.6639
bizrelo@jacksonvillechamber.org • www.expandinjax.com
Where the Future Leads®
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