INVESTOR NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2011
Dear Cornerstone Investor
I am delighted to serve as your Cornerstone Chair this year. We have an exciting year ahead of us and I know with your help we will make 2011 a success. Last year we saw growth, despite continued economic challenges, thanks to Lee Thomas and his tremendous leadership. We helped recruit and expand 26 companies, created more than 3,200 jobs to enhance our community, all the while fundraising for Cornerstone V initiatives.
We are very close to reaching our campaign goal of $11 million, with more than $9 million raised. I would like to thank all of our investors who are continuing their support of Cornerstone and welcome all new investors.
We have begun 2011 on a very positive note and are already working with 52 qualified active projects. In addition to continuing our focus on job development and our overall economic development efforts, Cornerstone's 2011 strategy includes the following key areas of focus:
- Job creation in our target industries;
- Downtown revitalization;
- Enhanced funding and faster processing of state incentives to increase our competitiveness;
- Supporting JAXPORT on growth and development opportunities; and
- Continuing our support of the Jaguars to fill Everbank Field in 2011.
Gov. Scott Featured Speaker at Cornerstone Luncheon
Join us on Friday, March 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront as we welcome Governor Rick Scott to Jacksonville. You won't want to miss the opportunity to hear Gov. Scott present his plan to secure Florida's economic future and emerge as a top competitor in economic development, sustainability, education and growth. Visit www.opportunityjacksonville.com to register.
Introducing the 2011 Cornerstone Executive Committee Please welcome your 2011 Executive Committee:
- Dr. William Rupp, Business Development Chair
- Robert Hill Jr., Headquarters Chair
- Dave Stovall, Headquarters Vice Chair
- Frank Martire, Information Technology Chair
- Mark Fletcher, Life Sciences Chair
- Moody Chisholm, Life Sciences Vice Chair
- Fredrik Eliasson, Logistics & Distribution Chair
- Nathaniel Herring, Finance & Insurance Chair
- Joe Thompson, Aviation & Aerospace/Advanced Manufacturing Chair
- George Gabel, International Chair
- Edward Burr, Downtown Development Chair
- Jim Stevenson, Military Issues Chair
- Vincent McCormack, Small Business Chair
- Cleve Warren, Workforce Development & Education Chair
- Crystal Jones, Workforce Development & Education Vice Chair
- Hugh Greene, Chamber Chair
- Tom Van Berkel, Chamber Chair-Elect
- Kelly Madden, Immediate Past Chair
PLS Logistics Looking to Add New Jobs in Jacksonville
PLS Logistics Services (PLS), a provider of third-party logistics management services, is looking to create 100 new, full-time jobs in Jacksonville, pending the approval of incentives from City Council and the State. The company estimates that this project would have a new private capital investment of approximately $1.1 million through purchases of equipment, furniture and fixtures, information technology infrastructure and leasehold improvements.
Free Grant Prep Webinars from GrowFL
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute is providing a series of free webinars about Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) funding opportunities. The series of six webinars provides attendees with an overview on successfully developing and writing winning SBIR proposals. More than $2 billion in SBIR grants will be awarded this year to small and startup technology companies. Those interested in learning more can register at www.growflsbirsttrwebinars2011.weebly.com.
I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to working with Cornerstone, its partners and investors on key projects and initiatives that strengthen the region's economic development efforts.
Sincerely,
Scott Keith
Cornerstone Chair
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
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