by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Jerry Mallot knows duplicating Cornerstone’s success of attracting big business to Jacksonville in 2008 is going to be difficult in 2009.
But the challenge of a down economy isn’t going to stop the executive director of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s business development arm and his staff from trying.
Last year saw blockbuster business deals involving Alenia North America, Deustche Bank, Matsui and Hanjin coming to Jacksonville but the business landscape isn’t looking as bountiful
“There are fewer projects out in the nation and world to attract to Jacksonville,” said Mallot. “We’re going to have to work harder.”
Mallot said he expects the first half of 2009 to be one of the slowest periods of potential business in some time. Even so, organization officials will be farming for future success.
“We’ll be planting a lot of seeds,” said Mallot, “and forming many relationships.”
Mallot said companies are still looking around for expansion and relocation, but simply want to wait for consumer and profit confidence levels to return. When they do, he said, he wants Jacksonville to be at the forefront as a destination.
While the second half of 2009 appears to have more potential economic additions to Jacksonville, Mallot said there might be a few surprises from what is normally seen by the public as a negative.
“The surprises could come from existing companies not headquartered here who could come here,” explained Mallot. “Even though downsizing is a negative word, there are winners in the consolidation process by adding jobs locally at the same a company is downsizing.”
Somewhat defying the trends, one pleasant surprise was the uptick of activity in December — when they received five new projects.
“It was interesting to see,” he said. “We’re hoping it continues.”
Even with the boost, the list of Cornerstone’s prospects is down by about one-third compared to the beginning of 2008, he said, and those the organization is looking at aren’t as large in size and scope as the 2008 deals.
The majority of the prospects are national companies, he said, but when the economy rebounds, the interest from global companies should return.
In order to reach them, Cornerstone is overhauling and expanding its Web site – the main source for how companies looking to relocate research potential cities.
“We know companies look at it (the Web site) and we’re going to continue to push the envelope,” he said. “Right now our target is April (for the new Web site).”
Though he said the first few months appear to be more gloom than boom, Mallot remains optimistic.
“Given the state of the economy, we don’t want to set our expectations too high,” said Mallot, “but I am cautiously optimistic.”
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