by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
PLS Logistics Services, a Pennsylvania-based logistics management company, is considering Jacksonville for a 100-job “super regional headquarters.”
PLS is scheduled to ask the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission at its meeting Thursday to recommend a $300,000 Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund from the City and the state.
Based on job creation, the City would refund $60,000, or $600 per job, and the state would refund the remaining $240,000, or $2,400 per job. City Council would need to approve the project.
According to a commission project summary, PLS, which was incorporated in April 1987 as Pittsburgh Logistics Systems Inc., said it will pay an average wage of $45,564, plus benefits.
Jobs would include regional manager, group sales managers, account executives, account executive trainees and logistics coordinators, said the summary.
If approved for the project, PLS Logistics intends to create 50 jobs by Dec. 31, 2012, and the other 50 by Dec. 31, 2013.
The company said it is considering Dallas and Jacksonville. The Jacksonville location has not been identified, but the summary said it is evaluating a Belfort Road site along Butler Boulevard. PLS proposes to lease about 20,000 square feet of office space and invest about $1.1 million in office improvements, equipment, furniture, fixtures and technology.
The summary said the proposed facility will expand the company’s outsourced logistics solutions and freight brokerage services to serve the Southeastern U.S.
The project summary said PLS Logistics Services is a subsidiary of Quadrivius Inc. of Rochester, Pa. The privately owned company works with more than 8,000 motor carriers shipping through all major land, air and sea freight modes.
In addition to the $300,000 tax refund, PLS also has requested $80,000 from the state’s Quick Response Training Grant program.
Among other JEDC items on the agenda:
• The Jacksonville Historical Society wants to buy the Old St. Luke’s Hospital and the Florida Casket Company building from the Arthritis Foundation. The society is asking for $250,000 from the Historic Preservation and Revitalization Trust Fund to help buy the buildings. Renovations are estimated at $1.25 million to preserve the buildings and consolidate the society’s archives into one facility as a history center. The buildings are at Palmetto and Duval streets. The society is asking for a dollar-for-dollar match toward the purchase price of the building up to $250,000. The remaining funds for the property purchase would come from the community, said the society.
• The commission will consider issuing a request for proposals for the lease and management of floors four through seven of the Florida Theatre Building at 128 E. Forsyth St. The City wants occupants “who will provide the community with real estate management expertise specializing in cultural arts.”
The space was formerly used as office space for multiple users and several government departments. The available space for lease consists of about 29,230 square feet on four floors.
The commission also has a discussion item on the agenda concerning the Interstate 95 overland bridge replacement project.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday on the fourth floor of City Hall.
356-2466