Schratter Foods Inc., which does business as Anco Fine Cheese, has agreed to a $130,000 economic incentive deal with the City's Office of Economic Development to relocate the company's Southeast Regional Headquarters and distribution center and create 75 jobs, according to filed legislation and the redevelopment agreement.
According to the company's website, ancofinecheese.com, Anco is the largest importer of specialty cheeses in the U.S. and imports a "very unique product line" from more than 20 different counties. The company is fully integrated and has total control over its supply chain, from the cheese plant to store, according to its website.
Its "exclusive best sellers" include cheese products from II Villagio, Alouette, Frico and IIe de France, among others.
The company can source, cut and wrap, when necessary, and distribute cheese from its five U.S. distribution centers that provides "a guarantee of freshness and food safety control," it says.
The relocation would be to 1590 Transport Court on the Northside near Jacksonville International Airport and is part of the JIA Community Redevelopment Area. The company's website currently lists Miami as its Southeast distribution branch.
The $130,000 City incentive would be in a Recapture Enhanced Value grant, commonly referred to as a REV grant, paid at the beginning of the first year following construction and its inclusion in the City tax rolls. It would be paid in installments for five years. REV grants are reimbursements by the City for capital improvements and property taxes already paid by the company.
The project will create 75 new jobs with a $57,000 annual average salary. The jobs will be created by Dec. 31, 2015, according to the proposed legislation.
The agreement includes the construction of a new building and the purchase and installation of manufacturing equipment at the location, which represents a $12 million capital investment by the company, according to the redevelopment agreement.
The executive director of the City economic development office or a designee will oversee the project to ensure the agreed upon conditions are met.
The proposed agreement will be introduced Tuesday to City Council.
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