by David Chapman
Staff Writer
They assist in forming business relationships between the public and private sectors, but Jim Gilmore and Jim Catlett have formed a new partnership themselves.
Now, the two longtime economic development consultants have their new addition, a new name and a new place to call their business home following a weekend move that has brought them from the Southbank to the Northbank.
“We’re very optimistic about everything that’s happening,” said Gilmore.
With the addition of lobbyist Carlos Cruz to the company, what once was a two-man show called Agency Approval and Development off Prudential Drive is now a three-man group called Infinity Global Solutions that has settled in the Signet Center off West Monroe Street.
“It just made sense,” said Cruz, on joining forces with Gilmore and Catlett. “We are going to work together to create a one-stop shop for our clients.”
While Cruz’s education in law at Florida State and Catlett’s and Gilmore’s at the University of Florida will make for an interesting “marriage,” joked Gilmore, it’s the territorial background between the two parties that will help the company broaden its reach.
“We’ve known him (Cruz) for a long time,” said Gilmore. “He’s from South Florida and has been in the government relations business a while.”
Combined with their North Florida business and government relationships, Gilmore believes they collectively have the tools needed to greater succeed, while Cruz said the joint venture helps create a synergy between the two regions.
Additionally, Cruz said Infinity Global Solutions also has a niche in the North Florida market within the Hispanic community and policy makers.
Fostering such public and private relationships can bring companies, projects and ultimately jobs to Northeast Florida, said Gilmore, but the art of the process is generally secretive.
“It’s very quiet,” he said.
Somewhat similar to the work of Jerry Mallot (“He does some great work,” said Gilmore) and Cornerstone, the economic arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the process of creating those relationships often must remain secretive, as exposure can scare off potential clients to other cities.
Past projects for the former Agency Approval and Development include bringing the Florida Proton Therapy Institute to Shands (a relationship with UF), assisting bringing Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Vistakon and its many jobs to the area and working with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Jacksonville Aviation Authority on some of their many projects.
In the end, their work is about getting through the potential roadblocks that could shelve such projects — and their positive economic impact — and get things accomplished even in such an economy, said Gilmore.
While economic developers everywhere are “ratcheting up” future plans in the current environment, the physical environment the group now calls home will assist in their own endeavors.
“It’s going to be great,” said Gilmore. “We’re still Downtown and close to everything.”
The extra space will help, said Cruz.
“We feel we can provide better client service with it,” he said. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”
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