Staff Writer
The early Wednesday announcement by The St. Joe Co. that it plans to move its headquarters from Jacksonville wasn’t entirely unexpected, said Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce President Wally Lee.
But it still hurts.
Lee found out about the impending move Wednesday morning from a St. Joe Co. board member, who wanted to give the chamber a heads-up before the announcement.
St. Joe announced it would move its headquarters to a Panhandle development it owns.
“It’s not terribly surprising, because it’s a sturdy business move on their part,” said Lee. “They’ve changed their business model over the last couple years. It makes good business sense for them.”
Many of the company’s assets have already made the move west, he said, but the loss of the company is a loss to the community.
“The St. Joe Co. has been a good corporate citizen for close to 75 years,” he said. “Any time you do lose a company like this, it is hurtful.”
City officials also were alerted of the impending move Wednesday morning, said city spokesperson Misty Skipper. She echoed Lee’s sentiment about losing the longtime company and understanding the move.
The move shouldn’t reflect negatively on Jacksonville, said Lee, because it was a business decision.
On the contrary, Lee said the business prospects for Jacksonville have intensified the last 18 months and interest is strong, even in the down economy.
Though departing, the company’s long presence and contributions in Jacksonville are appreciated and long-lasting, and Lee wishes them nothing but the best.
“We all wish them God-speed,” he said.
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