Staff Writer
A pep rally for both economic development and the Jacksonville Jaguars brought an estimated record crowd of 1,700 to Cornerstone’s third quarter luncheon Tuesday at the Osborn Center.
“It’s natural for the two to come together for an event like this,” said Lee Thomas, Rayonier president and CEO and Cornerstone chair, during an earlier event to celebrate the United Way.
For the second year, Cornerstone, which is the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, used its third quarter luncheon to celebrate the team before the start of the season, while updating business leaders on the state of job recruitment and expansion.
The meeting also served to officially announce that PNC Mortgage will bring jobs to town. PNC, based in Pittsburgh, has been advertising for jobs in Jacksonville for months.
“We’re excited to be headed to Jacksonville,” said Danny Lawson, PNC Mortgage operational director.
The company expects to start filling 200 financial services jobs by the end of the year.
A job fair is planned today and tomorrow at PNC’s site at 5011 Gate Parkway, at Gate Parkway and Florida 9A.
The meeting also included the news that Adecco, which bought Jacksonville-based MPS Group in January, wants to add 100 jobs and will present a request for incentives at the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission meeting tomorrow.
Many of the event’s speakers praised business and community members for the 14,000 new season tickets sold during the offseason. The sold tickets represent a 44 percent increase from sales a year ago.
A packed house of enthusiastic fans is appreciated, said several players. Quarterback David Garrard told the crowd that this year is a time to reaffirm itself.
“It’s time to get the winning ways back in Jacksonville,” said Garrard.
Before the luncheon, the United Way of Northeast Florida launched its annual fundraising campaign with a goal of $24.8 million for the year. Early pacesetter totals of more than $4 million have been collected.
Even with the down economy of the last few years, officials are optimistic.
“This is a new year,” said Scott Brubaker, 2010 campaign chair. “I believe it will be a turnaround year.”
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