INVESTOR NEWSLETTER - JULY 2011
Introducing JAXUSA Partnership
Cornerstone is excited to announce its new name - JAXUSA Partnership. The new name makes a direct connection to the Northeast Florida region and showcases our geographical location in the United States. Economic development efforts continue to shift to a global focus and an identity that is easily recognizable to companies around the world is more important than ever.
Opportunities in the international marketplace are growing. Just six years ago, only 10 percent of the region's new business leads represented the international market. Now, one third of Northeast Florida’s economic development prospects come from outside of the United States and involve a foreign corporation.
JAXUSA Partnership works to recruit and develop jobs and talent for the region and the new name will make it easier for external site consultants and companies to find us when looking for their next expansion location. We will be transitioning to the use of this new name over the next several months.
Learn more about JAXUSA Partnership
New Jobs and Capital Investment for Northeast Florida
The first part of 2011 has been very busy. We have been working with our partners to announce several projects in the region.
- Medtronic Corporation - Medtronic has selected Jacksonville over Fort Worth, Texas to build a new $14 million research and development and manufacturing facility at its campus in Southpoint pending approval of incentives. The company will add 175 new high-wage jobs to the region.
- Everbank - is proposing to add 200 more jobs, pending final approval of state incentives. This would bring its total job growth to more than 400 in the past year. The company is also considering moving more than 1,000 of its local jobs downtown, a move we greatly support.
- Kaman Aerospace - is planning to add 250 jobs and acquire an additional 80,000 square feet of space at its operation in North Jacksonville pending final incentive approvals from the city and state. This will expand its helicopter parts manufacturing operations.
- Keystone and Vulcan Materials Company - held its grand opening this month for a new private port terminal. This project is bringing an investment of $150 million in the community and 200 jobs.
- PLS Logistics - is bringing a new operation to Jacksonville that is heavily IT oriented in the logistics industry and is adding 100 jobs.
These projects are great wins for our region and we look forward to continuing this momentum over the next six months.
JAXUSA Partnership President To Help City Develop World-Class Economic Development Program
Recently, Mayor Brown announced a new partnership between the City and the Chamber to develop a world-class economic development program that will help our region recover from one of the most difficult economic periods of our time. During the development of the plan, Jerry Mallot will serve in an interim, part-time role to help evaluate existing processes, research best practices, engage partners and seek input from many organizations and experts to build the best possible plan that will accelerate economic growth. Jerry will continue in his role as President of JAXUSA Partnership and Executive Vice President of the Chamber. If you would like to offer feedback or provide input, please contact Jerry at Jerry.Mallot@jacksonvillechamber.org.
JAXUSA Partnership Selects Firm for Industry Sub-Cluster Analysis
Together with the Northeast Florida Regional Council, we have selected the firm that will update our regional target industry cluster strategy, which is being funded primarily by the Economic Development Administration. Avalanche Consulting, along with partner companies McCallum Sweeney, the Council for Adult and Environmental Learning and Infinity Global Solutions, will spearhead the ‘Innovate Northeast Florida’ study that will identify the region’s top target industry sub-cluster opportunities and develop marketing and implementation plans to grow these sectors. We will also work closely with WorkSource to align our regional workforce development strategies around these key sub-clusters. This process will take about nine months and we will be asking many of you for your input in the study and hope that you will help us.
State Supports Cecil Airport as 'Space Territory' 
The State of Florida has officially announced its support to transform Cecil Airport into a commercial spaceport when Space Florida officially designated
Cecil as a
'Space Territory' last month. With this designation, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has the authority to fund spaceport related transportation facilities at Cecil to better accommodate space travel. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) awarded Cecil a grant to develop a Spaceport Master Plan. Combined with Space Florida's decision, the
Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is now able to pursue funds to design and construct new roadways, taxiways, and assembly and payload facilities.
Read the full JAA Press Release
WorkSource Head Honored at Annual FEDC Conference
Bruce Ferguson, president and CEO of WorkSource, was awarded the Eunice Sullivan Economic Development Professional of the Year award at the Florida Economic Development Council's annual conference last month. 
The award honors the achievements of one of the state's top workforce development professionals each year. Ferguson's more than 20 years of experience and expertise in workforce development has contributed significantly to Northeast Florida. His leadership and overall vision for development of the region's talent base have been tremendous assets for companies in the Jacksonville region. Congratulations Bruce on this outstanding achievement.
Read the full press release
Clay County Commissioner Honored at Annual FEDC Conference
The Hon. Doug Conkey, Clay County Commissioner and Chairman of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization, was awarded a Richard L. McLaughlin Volunteer of the Year award at the Florida Economic Development Council annual conference. Conkey was selected as a recipient because of his dedication and leadership to economic development in Northeast Florida. Clay County Chamber President Kellie Jo Kilberg and Vice President of Economic Development Danita Andrews presented the award to Commissioner Conkey at June Board of County Commissioners meeting last month.
JAXUSA Partnership Launches New Tool for Investors
JAXUSA Partnership has launched its new Investor Center on www.ExpandInJax.com. The new tool features a searchable database, investor spotlight and investor news section. The Investor Center is designed to highlight our investors to provide you with more visibility. Start using the Investor Center today and be sure to send JAXUSA Partnership news about your company that you would like to share. Email news items to Gabrielle.Bryan@myjaxchamber.com.
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Thank you for your continued investment in JAXUSA Partnership, formerly Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership.
Sincerely,
Scott P. Keith
JAXUSA Partnership 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
Where the Future Leads®