JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot issued a statement after news reports that Jacksonville-based Advanced Disposal was approved by the St. Johns County Commission for incentives to relocate its headquarters there from Duval County.
Jacksonville City Council had earlier approved incentives to keep the headquarters in Duval. The company is based in the Baymeadows area but is looking for space to consolidate operations after completing some mergers.
It also is looking at Milwaukee, Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C.
“Advanced Disposal approached both Duval and St. Johns counties, and the company found excellent opportunities in both for its combined headquarters,” Mallot said. “Both Duval County and St. Johns County approved incentive packages. At this point, we are awaiting a final decision from Advanced Disposal. We are aggressively encouraging the company to remain in the region.”
The JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development division of the JAX Chamber, represents seven counties, including Duval and St. Johns.
Advanced Disposal Chairman Charlie Appleby and Chief Marketing Officer Mary O’Brien have not been available for comment.
National notes
• Jacksonville has been trying to shake the identity, but Parade magazine brought it up again Sunday in its “Parade Picks” feature. The “Georgia vs. Florida” pick about Saturday’s game said, “To fans, the annual matchup is known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
• Southern Living magazine’s November edition gave a shout-out to TacoLu in Jacksonville Beach in its “Local Flavor” report on Florida’s best brunches. TacoLu was one of five restaurants featured from around the state. “This flip-flop-casual Mexican restaurant offers a Baja-inspired take on brunches,” Southern Living writes. “We love the ‘Don’s Patrol,’” a quesadilla with chorizo, black beans, shredded jack cheese, fried eggs and hash browns.
Don is Don Nicol, who owns TacoLu with his wife, Debbie. TacoLu operates at 1183 Beach Blvd. and will move soon to the former Homestead Restaurant at 1712 Beach Blvd. The Nicols bought the site, just a half-mile from their original, but haven’t relocated yet. Southern Living is ahead of the move and lists the new address.
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