Grace Aerospace in 2014 opened a satellite office at Cecil Commerce Center because of a demand by customers.
Two years later, the New York-based company could end up moving its headquarters to Jacksonville.
Legislation filed late Wednesday would provide a $332,500 incentives package to the company to move its manufacturing operations to Cecil Commerce and expand its local footprint.
The company would create 25 new jobs at an average wage of $50,675 by Dec. 31, 2019, and invest at least $300,000 in capital improvements.
Grace Aerospace leases 1,500 square feet at a city-owned building. The expansion and relocation will net another 10,146 square feet leased at a market rate of $6 per square foot at Cecil Commerce Center.
The company manufactures wire harnesses and other electronic military aircraft equipment. It was founded to fill a market gap where original equipment manufacturers ceased support, according to its website.
Grace Aerospace’s clients include Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Initially, the satellite office was established to meet demand by clients to inspect work products before they were completed.
A project summary indicates the relocation would allow Grace Aerospace to obtain more business in the growing Southeast aviation market. Of the $332,500 in incentives being offered, $25,000 would come from the city for its 20 percent match of a Qualified Target Industry grant for the higher-wage jobs being created.
The state would pay the remaining $100,000 for that grant, $37,500 for a training grant and $200,000 for a veterans training grant. In all, the state would contribute $307,500.
The legislation is being introduced to council Wednesday, a day later than usual because of elections.
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