It was a room full of “people in the know” with respect to what the big picture holds for North Florida’s economic and growth future. CREW Jacksonville hosted their monthly luncheon at Maggiano’s at the Town Center and featured four guest panelists – Kirk Wendland, President of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce; Steve Rieck, Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board; Amy Evancho, President and CEO of the Florida Economic Development Council and Marty Wilson, Vice President of Competitive Programs and Policies, Enterprise Florida, Inc. The moderator was Lindsey Kimball, CEcD, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for Infinity Global Solutions, LLC (IGS), the lunch sponsor.
The discussions ranged from local initiatives for business growth and job development to state incentive policy developments, departmental restructuring and where the money will be in the future to support growth in the Northeast Florida business market. Duval and Nassau counties are strongly relying on the growth and expansion of the Jacksonville and Fernandina ports, including logistical strength with our commercial airport systems and railways in place. Jacksonville Aviation Authority representative Rosa Beckett discussed the strength Jacksonville has with its airport presence – Jacksonville International, Craig Airfield for private and executive flights, Herlong Field for recreational flight and Cecil Field, which is strengthening its foothold as the commercial and industrial flight center. Nassau County initiatives included laying the groundwork to attract companies to house their business and industrial operations in its Northwest Sector near I-95. St. Johns County initiatives referenced the low ratio of commercial and industrial to residential sectors citing the popular “work in Jacksonville but live in St. John’s County” adage. The Duval County school system was noted as a primary reason for business executives to prefer to live in St. John’s County.
Questions from the audience provoked response from panelists on how Duval County can change the perception that its schools are sub-standard and how to change legislative holds on alternative energy incentives for the sunshine state. In summary, many audience members were left with big picture directives to ponder as well as an inside tract to what each community is focused on for its future development.
CREW Jacksonville holds monthly lunch events on topics affecting the commercial real estate market. For more information on dates and topics, please visit our website at www.crewjax.org
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