News

JAXUSA Partnership recently received a 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The award was bestowed specifically for JAXUSA’s work in the multimedia promotion category for its “Find Your JAX Neighborhood” video campaign.

Find Your JAX, JAXUSA’s talent attraction initiative, is a resource to recruit talent living outside of the region to make the move to Northeast Florida by promoting the area as a great place to live, work and play.

When talent is considering a relocation, digital and social media platforms rise to the top in tools to understand what a community has to offer, which led to the launch of JAXUSA’s “Find Your JAX Neighborhood” video campaign.

Taken through the eyes of a resident, these engaging 60-second features are used so potential new residents can see what it’s like to live in any of the region’s neighborhoods and all the different amenities each one has to offer.

The videos, produced by Kennetic Productions, showcase young professionals from diverse backgrounds across many different stages in life that are actively involved in their community. Whether it’s a 25-year-old teaching classes at the local yoga studio in Avondale, small business owners who have found their forever home in family-friendly Palatka or a go-getter enjoying the hustle and bustle of Downtown Jacksonville, these videos show that JAX truly has something for everyone.

These videos are used on social media, YouTube, the neighborhoods page on the Find Your JAX website and in digital advertisements targeting young professionals.

The goal of the “Find Your JAX Neighborhood” campaign is to show why Northeast Florida is an ideal destination to live and work, ultimately bringing in new residents that have decided to make the Jacksonville region their home.

Since the campaign’s launch in August 2023, more than 522,000 potential new residents have been reached and 9,000 have visited the Find Your JAX website or social media pages to learn more about living in Northeast Florida.

Find Your JAX Neighborhood Tours:

• Downtown, Brooklyn, & LaVilla – Kat Hardwick
• Atlantic & Neptune Beaches – Heidi Jameson
• Palatka – The Starr Family
• Avondale & Riverside – Alex Lauture
• Southside & Town Center – Suavé Gordon
• St. Augustine – Jillian Luce
• Wildlight – The Dugan Family
• Palm Coast – Lauren Ramirez

“JAXUSA Partnership is setting the standard of excellence for economic development with its “Find Your JAX Neighborhood” campaign. This award highlights JAXUSA Partnership’s commitment to its community and demonstrates the transformative impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO, “It is with great pride that IEDC presents this award to JAXUSA Partnership, celebrating their leadership and innovation in the field of economic development.”

Every year, IEDC looks specifically for economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives and programs that have demonstrated consistent, exemplary performance in the economic development profession, leading the execution of projects that have a significant impact on revitalizing communities, and playing a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. The IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year’s most influential leaders.