Anheuser-Busch Cos. is proposing a $170 million expansion that would bring aboard 75 additional full-time jobs in exchange for close to $15 million in taxpayer dollars.
As part of the deal, the company, through Metal Container Corp., would build a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and install new equipment at one of its two Jacksonville locations by the end of 2017. The $170 million comprises $40 million in real estate improvements and the remaining $130 million in equipment.
The city would provide a $12 million Recapture Enhanced Value grant, equal to 75 percent of the increase in property taxes generated from the development. It’s paid out over 12 years.
Also, the city would provide $45,000 through its 20 percent share of a Qualified Target Industry grant. The state would pay $180,000, or the remaining 80 percent.
Additionally, the state would provide $2.4 million through the Governor’s Quick Action Closing Fund and another $225,000 through a Quick Response Training grant.
Jacksonville is competing with sites in two other Southeastern states, “both have which made aggressive offers,” according to the project summary.
The 75 new jobs the company would create would be in the fields of administration, skilled technical positions and electricians and engineers. They would have an average salary of $75,000 and be created by the end of 2016.
Anheuser-Busch employs more than 700 people in Jacksonville between its Northside brewery and Westside manufacturing plant, according to the summary. The deal would support those facilities, too.
Legislation for the deal was filed Tuesday and introduced to City Council.
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