Scott visits Saft plant
Gov. Rick Scott talks with employees of Jacksonville manufacturer Saft America during a visit Tuesday morning. Scott was at the plant to highlight the removal of the tax on manufacturing equipment.
Building accreditation
Eric Pardee, the city building official manager who serves as the interim city building official, holds the award that recently arrived recognizing the City Building Inspection Division for being one of 19 across the country achieving International Accreditation Service accreditation. The award was presented Oct. 1. Pardee serves in the position formerly held by Jim Schock, who retired Sept. 13 after the accreditation was achieved. The independent assessment and verification organization visited the department to analyze it for professionalism and efficiency.
DIA special meeting this week
The Downtown Investment Authority will have a special meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday in the first-floor training room of the Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St. The meeting is for informational purposes only, but no agenda has been sent.
... and regular committee meeting today
The authority's Redevelopment Plan Committee also will meet this week, at 3 p.m. today in the Lynwood Roberts Room at City Hall, 117 W. Duval St. The group will conduct a workshop.
NBA legends at EWC
Former National Basketball Association superstars (from left at the table) Artis Gilmore, David Thompson, George Gervin and Rick Barry visited Edward Waters College Tuesday to talk with students there. Also pictured are college President Nat Glover and D'Andra Bryan, who is Ms. EWC. The players are in Jacksonville to participate in tonight's activities tied to the NBA game between Orlando and New Orleans.
Clay Chamber annual Dinner Spectacular this week
The Clay County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Dinner Spectacular from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at EverBank Field. The sold-out event will feature food, drinks and entertainment. It also will have a ceremony recognizing Clay chamber achievements such as ambassador of the year, business person of the year and business cxcellence, among others.
Art Walk celebrating 10 years next month
First Wednesday Art Walk will recognize 10 years of the free, monthly Downtown art and local business event on Nov. 6. Downtown Vision Inc., which produces the event, is asking advocates, supporters and attendees to express their commitment to Downtown through a one-time monetary donation "to kick off the next 10 years." There will be a champagne toast during the Nov. 6 Art Walk to celebrate Downtown's arts scene. Donations can be made at downtownjacksonville.org.
Port deepening public conference call postponed
A public conference call about the Jacksonville Harbor port deepening project originally scheduled Monday was postponed. The reason? The ongoing federal government shutdown, according to an announcement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The next scheduled call will be Dec. 2. Public comment period is still open and will be until Oct. 24. Visit saj.usace.army.mil for the electronic copy of the draft report.
Sauer selected for $10 million church project
Sauer Inc. has been selected to provide pre-construction services for a $10 million church project for First Baptist Church of Mandarin. The project also serves as the first phase of the church's Hopewell City of Hope campus development. The 90,000-square-foot worship facility will include construction of a 2,000-seat sanctuary, adult and children's education areas and an administrative component with offices and conference rooms. KBJ Architects will provide design services for the project.