A company co-owned by a Jacksonville city councilwoman still owes hundreds of thousands dollars to the city.
About $210,000 in grant money was given to Jacksonville Councilwoman Katrina Brown and her mother’s company as part of an agreement with the city back in 2011. Fifty-six jobs were supposed to be created.
The city says that hasn't happened and the councilwoman's company KJB Specialties was ordered to pay the grant money back.
Meantime, Jerome Brown BBQ opened Friday at the same location at the center of the agreement.
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A city spokesperson says the city of Jacksonville does not have a relationship with the business and any jobs created from that business do not count toward the 56 that KJB was obligated to create.
Calls and emails to Katrina Brown have not been returned. Employees at Jerome Brown BBQ turned away Action News Jax crews.
The city sent Action News Jax a proposal KJB sent to the city, asking to convert the grant into a loan and combine that loan with another loan it has with the city, putting the grand total owed to the city of Jacksonville at nearly $590,000.
The city says discussions are “ongoing.”
Cox Media Group
