The JAX Chamber and its JAXUSA Partnership economic development division said Thursday they announced projects this year that created about 3,000 jobs, retained more than 1,000 jobs and generated more than $200 million in capital investments.
JAXUSA Partnership is the regional economic development organization comprising almost 200 private sector investors in Northeast Florida. It covers Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
Project announcements included Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie, Web.com, Healogics, GE Capital, Medtronic, Advanced Disposal Services Inc. and Flightstar.
The chamber announced it also supported City legislation that will shorten the project review and approval process.
Chamber President Wally Lee announced his retirement. Jerry Mallot, president of JAXUSA Partnership, will serve as interim president and CEO of the chamber, effective Jan. 1.
The chamber said leadership focused on six priority areas in 2012.
Downtown development.
• The chamber board of directors supported the creation of the Downtown Investment Authority to develop a long-term plan and help develop a strong urban core.
• EverBank Financial Corp. leased 270,000 square feet of office space in what is now known as EverBank Center to accommodate 1,600 employees.
• Community First Saturdays, sponsored by Community First Credit Union, became a monthly chamber event offering fitness classes, health-oriented activities and entertainment along the banks of the St. Johns River.
The port of Jacksonville.
• The JAX Chamber and Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic alliance to advance and enhance economic development opportunities.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it will spend more than $21 million on maintenance dredging and engineering design improvements for Mile Point, representing an $8 million increase over the previous year.
• The chamber supported the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to ensure the Corps has revenue for maintenance dredging and other maintenance-related projects.
Education and workforce development.
• Building strong partnerships between business and education partners is a key priority, shown through the Strategic School Partnership Pilot Program with Duval County Public Schools.
• The chamber and JAXUSA Partnership supports New Path, a program for mid-career professionals seeking employment. The program is designed to educate individuals about industries in the region.
Sports and entertainment.
• The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in 2012 drew more than 162,000 attendees, an increase of about 20 percent over 2011, and provided an estimated regional economic impact of more than $150 million. The tournament raised a record $5.9 million for local charities.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars football team continues to generate national and international recognition and a regional economic impact of more than $200 million annually. International recognition is expected to increase now that owner Shad Khan arranged for the Jaguars to play in London for four consecutive years.
Community pride.
• The #ilovejax campaign uses multiple communication methods, with a focus on social media, to promote reasons that make the region dynamic. The conversation continues at #ilovejax.
• The campaign generated more than 5 million social media impressions from those using #ilovejax on Twitter. A regular December day with no major chamber events yielded 74 tweets, generating 149,436 impressions.
• To highlight the region's business and economic strength, the chamber organized #ilovejax tours, inviting media, elected officials and business leaders to visit places like JaxPort, the Fleet Readiness Center, Mayo Clinic, EverBank Field and The Players, among others. The #ilovejax tour at Mayo Clinic resulted in 120 tweets, yielding 1,883,576 impressions.
Buy Chamber.
• The chamber's annual trade show attracted more than 350 members of the business community for educational and networking opportunities.
• Business matchmaking events were arranged for buyers and sellers.
• Buy Chamber Marketplace is an online program for members to market their businesses and communicate with other members at myjaxchamber.com.
Also, the Chamber's Entrepreneurial Growth Division delivered more than 90 training and mentoring programs for startup and growth entrepreneurs. The division is leading asset mapping to organize all the resources available to entrepreneurs.