by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
If Jacksonville wants to draw in more jobs with higher wages, Gov. Jeb Bush says businesses and city officials need to organize growth and improve education.
Bush spoke to the Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership about keeping up economic progress at its quarterly luncheon Friday. As his term comes to an end, Bush encouraged Jacksonville’s business community to keep up its hard work.
“But how do we take advantage of these incredible times and not rest on our laurels?” he said. The day you get comfortable with success, Bush said, “is the first day of your demise.”
Bush applauded several of Northeast Florida’s recent achievements in job growth, including the expansion of Merrill Lynch, Bridgestone Firestone and Fidelity Investments. He added, however, “No increase in business will ever work without our young people gaining the power of knowledge.”
In a world of fast paced change and increasing competition, Bush said, Florida cities can focus on several efforts to make themselves desirable business locations:
• Develop scientific research at organizations like the Mayo Clinic and educational institutions. His son, Jeb, Jr. attended school at Bolles. Bush said education should continue to be a priority in Jacksonville and throughout the state.
• Become more “military-friendly.” Bush christened the USS George H.W. Bush, an aircraft carrier, over the weekend. “My secret wish – which isn’t secret anymore – is for it to be housed at Mayport,” said Bush.
• Organize development to prepare for the future, carefully planning infrastructure. “I think we need to have an obligation to not have development for development’s sake,” he said.
• Draw in more of the “creative class” that fuels commerce and innovation by developing entertainment activities (“Go Jags!”) and respecting the environment. “We need to protect the environment so we don’t destroy the paradise that draws people to us,” said Bush.
A variety of business people and local, state and national politicians attended the luncheon at the Hyatt. A brief update and the winner of the Chair Award, PHH Mortgage, were also announced. Cornerstone is the economic development division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.