The Mayor’s Budget Review Committee will consider an application for a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant up to $3.5 million for code-named “Project Willow.”
Proposing the grant, which must eventually be approved by City Council, the city Office of Economic Development says the applicant 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 U.S.
The possible expansion 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.
The legislative fact sheet says the facility would support the company’s continued growth to serve customers throughout the Southeastern U.S.
The budget review committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Sept 25 in the mayor’s conference room at City Hall.
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 is a road that runs by the complex.
Publix began developing the complex in 1971. Buildings were added since then and now total 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.