The JAX Chamber and the city are planning for export trade and the economic development and jobs it can create to be one of the business stories that will be included in the review of 2017.
City Council is considering an ordinance to give $60,000 to the chamber’s JAXUSA Partnership to manage an export enhancement plan and develop strategies identified through Jacksonville’s participation in the Global Cities Initiative.
Jacksonville is one of 29 cities selected by the Brookings Institute and JPMorgan Chase & Co. to participate in the initiative.
It’s a strategy to boost global trade and investment, create partnerships between U.S. and international metropolitan areas and advocate for state and federal policy changes.
The effort began in November 2013. In April 2015, the MetroJAX/Northeast Florida Export Plan was introduced by the city and the chamber as the first phase of the local Global Cities effort.
When the study was released, former Mayor Alvin Brown said the region is “uniquely positioned” to take advantage of export and global trade opportunities because of the port, railroads and highway systems that have positioned Jacksonville as a logistics center.
The report identified as the next steps the establishment of a “one-stop shop” to provide businesses the resources to develop export trade; creation of a “Global Cities Advocacy Team” to lead implementation; and involve at least 25 potential export businesses.
The team also would research existing export development programs and market the region as an area for export development and international investment.
Chamber spokesman Matt Galnor said John Haley, former JAXUSA senior vice president for business development who was one of the contributors to the 2015 report, will likely be retained as a consultant for the revival of the program. No permanent staff is expected to be added if the appropriation is approved, he said.
Galnor said officials at the Brookings Institute encouraged the city to work toward reinvigorating the program during a meeting in May. Also, a partnership was formed in June between the chamber and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration to strengthen efforts to boost export trade in Northeast Florida.
The $60,000 payment would come from the Office of Economic Development’s professional services operating budget and the office would be the oversight agency.
The proposed agreement is for one year, with a two-year renewal option, according to a memorandum of understanding attached to the legislation.
“We’ll try it for a year and see where it goes,” said Galnor.
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