A company that produces sports apparel and athletic equipment would receive $100,000 in city incentives to help it consolidate its operations in Northwest Jacksonville under a proposal from the city Office of Economic Development.
The OED is seeking approval from the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee to provide the incentives in the form of a Business Infrastructure Grant to Baker’s Sports.
According to an OED summary of the incentive request, Baker’s Sports plans to consolidate its three locations in a renovated building at 5245 Commonwealth Ave.
Fanatics LLC, the sports merchandising giant founded in the Jacksonville area, operated its fulfillment center in the building. Fanatics filed notice with city and state officials in early 2024 it planned to close the center by Aug. 1 of that year, affecting 218 employees.
Baker’s Sports’ estimated private capital investment in renovating and outfitting the vacant building is $900,000, the summary states.
The company will add 30 new full-time positions to its workforce, which currently numbers 165 full-time and 10 part-time employees.
The annual payroll for the added jobs is $1.12 million, excluding benefits.
The OED calculates a return on investment of $1 per $1 of incentives.