• The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission’s fate is now in the hands of Gov. Rick Scott. Legislation to amend or repeal language regarding the JEDC in the City Charter and allow the economic development reform efforts of Mayor Alvin Brown to progress was received April 6 by Scott. Another bill with local ties that will aid Cecil Spaceport efforts arrived to Scott at the same time. Both bills were sponsored by state Rep. Lake Ray, chairman of the Duval Delegation. A spokeswoman for Scott said Monday the governor “is reviewing the bills and will make a decision in the allotted timeframe.” He has until April 21 to sign them.
• Speaking of Scott, he was in Jacksonville Monday morning to visit Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School for the Medical Arts. During the trip, he commended the Legislature for including $1 billion in new state funding for education in the 2012-13 budget, according to a news release.
• Downtown Vision Inc. is on board with Mayor Alvin Brown’s economic development reform that includes the creation of a Downtown Investment Authority. In a mass email letter sent Monday, DVI Executive Director Terry Lorince said the new Downtown-focused authority would provide consistent leadership, dedicated funding sources and staff and develop a five-year investment and development plan. Doing so will “make both Downtown and the entire region more attractive to businesses, investors and a diverse workforce,” she wrote.
• The City is partnering with Riverside Avondale Preservation to host a five-day Restore Jacksonville conference May 2-6. The program will feature educational sessions, a restoration resource expo and tours, all of which will help showcase green practices and train contractors and homeowners on historic building maintenance. Steve Thomas, former host of “This Old House” and current host of “Renovation Nation,” is among the speakers participating. Registration is $25 for the public. For more information, visit restorejacksonville.com.
• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority has entered a multi- year partnership with Dayton-based media company Commuter Advertising. The company will sell, manage and deliver time- and location-based audio messages to JTA riders on buses and trolleys. Revenue from ad sales will be shared between the company and JTA. There are no costs to the authority and it serves as a new revenue source, according to a news release.
• Police and firefighters won’t step into the squared circle until Saturday as part of the 14th Annual “Guns N’ Hoses Fight Night,” but the lead-in starts tonight with an official weigh-in party at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge, 5530 Beach Blvd. The event is free and open to the public, with the FOP providing free hot dogs, hamburgers and refreshments.