JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville is working to set itself up for a global company to bring 1,500 jobs to the River City.
On Tuesday night, the City Council unanimously approved a package of incentives, including taxpayer dollars, to attract the company, which is reportedly Amazon.
The incentives are in the millions, roughly $18 million, about $13 million of that is expected to come from the city. But council members said regardless of what the state chooses to do, they’re committed to finding the dollars to bring this company to town.
“At the end of the day it will be somewhere between $15 and $18 million between the state and the city,” said Councilman Reggie Gaffney.
The incentives package, also known as "Project Rex," is for a company that proposes building a large state-of-the-art distribution center near Jacksonville International Airport. Reports indicate the company is likely Amazon.
“It's a tremendous statement for Jacksonville. This is a major employer and someone that I think we all will recognize,” said City Council President Greg Anderson.
The company said it will create 1,500 new full-time jobs by the end of 2019. Five-hundred of the jobs would pay an average annual salary of $50,000 plus benefits.
“I put this on the same stage with the Jaguars. This is going to give so many youth opportunities to really work and make an honest living,” Gaffney said.
Gaffney represents District 7, the area in North Jacksonville where the company would build. He said the council’s approval brings the city one step closer to changing the landscape on the northern side of town.
“You talk about lack of jobs, lack of infrastructure, lack of opportunities. This gives hope,” Gaffney said.
The incentives package will now go to the Mayor’s Office for approval. It will then be up for the company to choose the best proposal from the different cities it’s considering, a process that could take several months but several members said they believe Jacksonville has the best offer.
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