by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
It may have taken 18 months, but insurance brokerage firm and bank, BB&T officially opened its North Florida headquarters Downtown Thursday at 200 W. Forsyth and pledged to invest $60 million in the First Coast over the next four years.
The event was well attended by members of the Downtown community and those who work in the building, which was formally 200 W. Forsyth. BB&T’s name is now atop three sides of the high-rise building, even though the company currently occupies only three floors.
“We have planted our flag,” said BB&T City President Scott Keith. “Not only are we looking to stay, we’re looking forward to the next 140 years. We’ll be around.”
The company was begun in 1872 by Alpheus Branch to get farmers back on their feet after the Civil War.
Now the company is looking to contribute to Jacksonville’s Downtown revitalization, and Mayor John Peyton congratulated the company for its investment.
He said the City has made enough investments, creating a lot of private investment opportunity.
“(BB&T) is reading the tea leaves just right,” said Peyton. “It’s a really good story. I’m proud BB&T is part of it.”
Regional President Jim Daly said it was easy to read the tea leaves when they’re spelled out.
Florida is the economic engine that will fuel the growth of BB&T, the ninth-largest bank and the sixth-largest insurance brokerage firm in the U.S., said Daly.
“This puts us on a stage like no other in Downtown Jacksonville,” he said.