The Jacksonville City Council approved $3.5 million in incentives Aug. 8 for a code-named manufacturer that resembles tobacco company Swisher to begin producing smokeless nicotine and caffeine products.
Swisher sells those products under the Rogue and Mojo brands.
In a 17-0 vote, Council approved Ordinance 2025-0531, which contains the incentive package for the company called Project Newark in city documents. Council members Tyrona Clark-Murray and Rory Diamond were not present for the vote.
The incentives are in the form of a 50%, five-year Recapture Enhanced Value Grant. A REV grant is a refund on ad valorem tax revenue generated by a new development or property enhancement. It can apply to property and tangible personal property.
City documents say the company, which operates in Jacksonville, is expected to make a $135 million capital investment for production of the new pouch products. The documents list Northwest Jacksonville and the Phoenix neighborhood directly north of Downtown as areas where the company is considering for the new operations.
City officials expect the project to create 200 new jobs by Dec. 31, 2028. The full annual payroll is expected to reach $11.12 million, with an average salary of $70,000, excluding benefits.
The company will create 100 jobs by Dec. 31, 2027, and another 100 by Dec. 31, 2028, according to the economic development agreement between the city and Project Newark. The agreement says $100 million of investment will come in tangible personal property.
Ed Randolph, executive director of economic development for the city, declined to confirm that Project Newark was Swisher.
“I have no comment on this project,” he said by email Aug. 12.
Swisher building permits in review
The city is reviewing three building-permit applications for Swisher International to upgrade its Springfield area manufacturing plant to operate new production machinery.
SDS Construction LLC is the contractor for the primary permit, an estimated $3.412 million project at Swisher at 459 E. 16th St.
Swisher calls the project the Swisher APO building renovation and refers to “Swisher Project Phoenix,” which appears to refer to its Phoenix neighborhood in New Springfield.
Universal Engineering Sciences of Jacksonville is providing private plan review.
Plans show work on 40,190 square feet on the first floor, 38,730 square feet on the second and 1,155 square feet on the mezzanine between the two.
Pallet racks and equipment are indicated.
Design Cooperative LLC of Jacksonville is the architect.
The other two permits are for an $88,000 project to renovate the building for new production machinery and for an estimated $398,000 electrical project for power equipment.
Swisher Corporate Communications Manager David Cawton said July 23 that he was unable to comment on the project.
Swisher’s suite of products
Careers.Swisher.com says that for the past 162 years, “Swisher has been an industry leader known for its iconic products and commitment to high quality standards.”
Swisher says it serves adult consumers through businesses that include Swisher Sweets Cigar Co., Helme Tobacco Co., Hempire, Rogue Holdings and Drew Estate: The Rebirth of Cigars.
The website shows Swisher is hiring for automated pouch operation positions in Jacksonville,
A role for the Automated Pouching Operation Machine Utility supports the operation and maintenance of pouching machines, ensuring efficient production and high-quality output. The role assists machine operators, performs basic maintenance, and ensures the cleanliness and safety of the work area.
A listing for an APO Machine Operator says the role is responsible for operating and maintaining machinery to ensure efficient production of high-quality pouches while adhering to safety and quality standards.
Swisher.com says that Rogue Holdings delivers 100% tobacco-leaf free and sugar-free nicotine products called Rogue Nicotine on Demand that are used without smoke, liquid or vapor.
Rogue Holdings says it is the only modern oral nicotine manufacturer to have all four forms of product – pouches, gum, lozenges and tablets. Rogue Pouches are sold in tins of 20, which the company says is up to 33% more than other leading brands.
Rogue ingredients are sourced from nicotine that is steam-extracted from tobacco leaves.
Rogue Nicotine on Demand offers flavors for every product, such as wintergreen, peppermint, honey-lemon, mango, apple, cinnamon, berry, spearmint, citrus and fruit.
Retail industry website CSPDailyNews.com reported Sept. 26, 2022, that E-Alternative Solutions, a sister company of Swisher, was launching a product outside of the tobacco and cannabidiol realms.
Its products include CBD-infused juice drinks, vapor, tincture drops and lotions from Forth CBD and Leap and Leap Go vapor products.
CSPDailyNews.com said its latest innovation, Mojo Balanced Energy Pouches, are energy and performance pouches that have 50 milligrams of coffee-derived caffeine and feature a proprietary blend of functional ingredients like ginseng root, yerba mate and B vitamins.
The flavored pouches are packaged like modern oral nicotine pouches.
“Mojo brings a new way to optimize the energy, focus, discipline and determination that you already possess. It isn’t a ‘get-all-jacked-up-on-sugar’ energy drink, but an unobtrusive pouch that you hold between your gum and lip to help supercharge your day,” EAS said.