Staff Writer
Eight months into the job, Jacksonville Aviation Authority Executive Director Steve Grossman is taking to the streets, sharing JAA’s progress and introducing himself to organizations.
“I’m very interested in helping them connect,” he said.
Grossman succeeded JAA executive director John Clark, who resigned as CEO last year after 14 years with the authority to run the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
Grossman previously spent 16 years as director of aviation for the Port of Oakland.
While his business focus is often in the air, he’s building bridges in the community on the ground level.
Grossman presents the business side of the entity, such as what’s happening at the aviation authority’s 6,000 acres at Cecil Field at Cecil Commerce Center in West Jacksonville.
“It’s been a raging success,” Grossman told The Civic Round Table of Jacksonville last week. “We’ve leased out every square foot of building.”
When joining the authority, Grossman said he expected to see a “ghost town” on his first trip to Cecil’s facilities, but was surprised with the activity. He credits the blend of government and private enterprise for its success in attracting job-producing companies.
While interest from business officials to relocate to Cecil Field remains high, he said there are challenges on the incentive side of dealings.
Grossman talked about a deal that would have brought Spirit AeroSystems, an aerospace design, manufacturing and support company, and hundreds of jobs to Cecil. He said the company was ready to announce the manufacturing project, then was presented with a “$200 million check by the governor of North Carolina” to locate the facility in North Carolina.
The deal was announced for Lenoir County, N.C., in May 2008. Published reports state the incentives could top $180 million.
“The State of Florida can’t do that,” said Grossman of the large incentive package. When it comes to Florida and the defense industry, “we get a lukewarm reception.”
In the business world today, incentive packages are part of strategic plans to lure companies to states, said Grossman.
The authority operates Cecil Field, Jacksonville International Airport, Herlong Airport and Craig Airport.
Grossman said they employ 8,000 people, with “200 to 220 for me and the rest for the tenants.”
As for the airline business, Grossman said that it’s a tough market but that recently added direct routes from JIA to Chicago and Baltimore are evidence that Jacksonville can support the routes for the airlines.
“They can make money in Jacksonville,” he said.
As a business, Grossman said that JAA has positioned itself to come out of the recession “in very good shape.”
One of the reasons Grossman has made an effort to meet with the community is to build trust between the Authority and citizens, including questions about unpopular measures, such as the status of a runway extension at Craig Airport in East Arlington. Area residents have long opposed the project.
“I want to find out what the community objects to,” he said. “Somebody’s perception is their reality ... and I’ve got to find out what their reality is. It’s going to take me a little bit of time.”
Grossman also wants to dispel some misconceptions for neighbors.
“They are firmly convinced we are going to get 747s there,” he said. “One may land, but it will never take off.”
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