The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee voted unanimously Sept. 25 for the Downtown Investment Authority to file legislation with Jacksonville City Council for grants for two code-named projects: Willow and Orion.
The 4-0 vote authorizes the city’s Office of Economic Development to introduce legislation to Council for a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant property tax refund capped at $3.5 million over five years for Project Willow; and for a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant property tax refund for capped at $1.5 million over five years for Project Orion.
The unidentified company in Project Willow is a locally established regional food retailer that wishes to expand its distribution support operations to accommodate continued growth to serve customers in the Southeastern United States.
Project Orion is an established manufacturer of mechanical equipment already in business in the Jacksonville area that wants to expand its manufacturing operations and create 250 jobs, according to city documents.
Review committee members Kelli O’Leary, Brittany Norris, Nina Sickler and Michael Weinstein voted to advance the legislation. Karen Bowling, review committee chair, was absent because of a meeting conflict.
Project Willow
The possible expansion in Project Willow includes construction of a 300,000-square-foot cold storage facility in Northwest Jacksonville with a capital investment of about $150 million, the document states.
The company will maintain its current level of jobs and add 150 jobs with a $7.5 million annual payroll combined with “offering substantial benefits” by Dec. 31, 2026, according to the application documents.
Paul Crawford, director of business development for the city of Jacksonville, told the committee Sept. 25 that the facility is an existing structure on the Westside.
The legislative fact sheet says the facility would support the company’s continued growth to serve customers throughout the Southeastern U.S.
While Project Willow was not identified, the company’s proposal is similar to a warehouse proposed by Lakeland-based Publix Super Markets Inc.
Publix is exploring development of a frozen foods warehouse at its West Jacksonville distribution complex.
JEA issued a service availability letter Aug. 28 for Publix to build a 400,000-square-foot warehouse for frozen foods storage on 37.15 acres along General Avenue.
Publix owns 128.68 acres between Interstate 10 and West Beaver Street. General Avenue runs past the complex.
Publix began developing the complex in 1971 and it now totals at least 950,204 square feet.
The addition will increase that to 1.35 million square feet.
The structures include warehousing, distribution, refrigerated warehouses, offices and other functions.
Project Orion
Crawford told the committee the company for Project Orion manufactures cooling equipment for businesses.
The grant application for Project Orion says the company “operates a state of the art manufacturing operation which designs, engineers and delivers modular equipment to aid power suppliers.”
The document further states that the company will look to continue operations at its current location and increase production at a new location.
The company plans to expand into an existing building with a capital investment of $28.8 million, which includes $8.8 million in equipment purchases. The expansion would add 250 jobs to its current operation by Dec. 31, 2026, the application states.
Editor Karen Brune Mathis and Associate Editor Max Marbut contributed to this story.