The Downtown Investment Authority’s Retail Enhancement Program Committee will meet at 4 p.m. today at City Hall to review the application of one business.
Bold City Brewery is seeking $28,000 for a tavern and microbrewery at 109 E. Bay St. It’s an offshoot of its larger brewery and taproom at 2670 Rosselle St. The two will be independently operated but have the same primary ownership.
The brewery is renovating the 1,421-square-foot ground floor of the building at a cost of $124,350.
The $28,000 from the DIA program will be a forgivable loan, if approved.
Mayor Lenny Curry and Visit Jacksonville on Monday announced a series of events this week coinciding with National Travel and Tourism Week 2016.
The travel industry generates $2.2 billion toward business sales in Jacksonville and employs 22,000.
The events are:
• A promotion at tonight’s Art Walk from 5-9 p.m. at Visit Jacksonville’s Downtown center, 208 Laura St. It will feature a bungee trampoline, artwork and an opportunity for people to share what they love about the city for a chance to win a gift basket.
• “Thank you Thursday!” when Visit Jacksonville will be thanking visitors by handing out postcards, buttons and other items.
• “Pay it Forward Friday.” Along with tourism partners, Visit Jacksonville officials will perform community service by taking part in a beach clean-up at the Jacksonville Beach pier.
People are encouraged to take part in the week via social media by using hashtags #onlyinjax and #nttw16.
Keep Jacksonville Beautiful recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary during an awards and fundraiser at City Hall.
The event was highlighted by attorney Bill Brinton receiving the Jake Godbold Award, given annually to someone whose efforts help keep the city clean and environmentally friendly. Brinton received the award for his continued efforts toward sign regulations.
Keep Jacksonville Beautiful was founded by former Mayor Godbold, who received the award in 2010.
Other awards from the organization go to individuals, businesses and schools.
Puma Aero Marine has leased a 60,000-square-foot hangar at Reynolds Industrial Park in Green Cove Springs.
The company is involved in the aviation and marine industries by retrofitting crafts to customer specifications. It also constructs humanitarian ships for use internationally.
Early projects include retrofitting a Boeing 737 and construction of two 300-foot ships. Puma plans to hire more than 100 workers and will invest up to $800,000 to renovate the former military hangar.
The world’s largest operators of travel centers is hosting a job fair today to fill positions for its latest facility opening next month.
Positions include retail, restaurant and deli shift managers, hostesses, cashiers and maintenance crew members. The job fair runs through 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn — Jacksonville Airport, 13503 Ranch Road.
The facility will include fuel, showers, snacks, parking and other amenities for trucking professionals and commuters.
The Santa Monica shopping center at 5291 University Blvd. W. is getting $200,000 in upgrades by Sleiman Enterprises.
The boost precedes a September opening of a Save-A-Lot, the chain’s 11th Jacksonville location.
The renovations will include a remodeled parking lot and landscaping islands, different traffic patterns, fresh paint and accents.
Current tenants of the center include Baldinos, Checkers, Family Dollar and Greenberg Dental & Orthodontics.
JaxBiz, the nonpartisan political arm of the JAX Chamber, has made its latest round of endorsements for Florida House and Senate seats.
Most were incumbents. Interviews took place over two days, with questions relating to the city’s pension referendum; the Legislature’s role in funding incentives; funding for UF Health Jacksonville; and school choice.
Those endorsed are:
House
• District 10: Elizabeth Porter, Republican incumbent
• District 12: Richard Clark and Terrance Freeman, both Republicans
• District 14: Leslie Scott Jean-Bart, Democrat
• District 15: Jay Fant, Republican incumbent
• District 17: Cyndi Stevenson, Republican incumbent
• District 18: Travis Cummings, Republican incumbent
• District 19: Katherine Van Zant, Republican
• District 24: Paul Renner, Republican incumbent
Senate
• District 4: Aaron Bean, Republican incumbent
• District 5: Rob Bradley, Republican incumbent
• District 6: Audrey Gibson, Democratic incumbent)
• District 7: Travis Hutson, Republican incumbent
The organization has not yet endorsed for House seats in District 11 and 16. and Senate District 8.
Pieology Pizzeria is opening its second Florida location in Ponte Vedra Beach at Nocatee Town Center East.
The restaurant is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
It’s at 641 Crosswater Parkway E.
Jacksonville again has a news helicopter roving the skies.
WFOX TV-30 and WJAX TV-47 have launched Sky Action News Jax to assist in its newsgathering efforts.
It went into service Monday.
A 54-bed, gender-specific health facility will host an open house from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 13.
The Rose of Lakeview Health has been designed to focus on advancing the needs of women in addiction recovery, while creating a safe space to deal with past traumas.
The facility is at 1900 Corporate Square Blvd.
For more information, visit lakeviewhealth.com.
Tex-Mex restaurant Tijuana Flats is expanding in Northeast Florida for the first time in three years by adding two restaurants to St. Johns County.
The 2,400-square-foot locations will be in Nocatee Town Center and a development at U.S. 1 and Florida 207.
The restaurant will have 10 Northeast Florida locations.
The sites were secured by Franklin Street.
Jacksonville Port Authority board Chair John Newman and CEO Brian Taylor provided a commemorative plaque to Capt. Salvatore Messina of the Carnival Elation this week.
The ship carries 2,054 passengers and now sails year-round out of the port’s North Jacksonville cruise terminal.
During the day, representatives of Visit Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens were on hand to invite Elation passengers to check out local attractions.
It was part of National Travel and Tourism Week 2016.