City Council member Raul Arias introduced legislation that would provide $15 million in city funding for local universities and workforce development centers.
With Ordinance 2025-0781, Arias proposes $6 million in renovations to Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida, $5 million for development of trade careers at Florida State College at Jacksonville, $2.675 million toward construction at Edward Waters University, $1 million for a workforce development center for the Northeast Florida Builders Association and $325,000 for a workforce development initiative Downtown.
“We have a shortage of trade workers here in Jacksonville, which is why when you call somebody for electrical or AC repairs at your house, not only is the bill pretty high, but also it’s going to be on a waiting list,” Arias said during an August meeting.
“As the city grows, we need more workforce in the city, and the city is growing at a rapid pace.”
Arias’ funding would come from $45 million transferred from a surplus in the city’s reserve funding for workers’ compensation claims.
After Council member Joe Carlucci introduced legislation to use the funding for redevelopment of properties along Bay Street in the historic core of Downtown, Council approved an amended version of Carlucci’s bill that freed up the funding for other uses.
“The beauty of these dollars is that they have already been allocated in the last budget. They’re just sitting there waiting to be tapped into,” Arias said.
“This will not affect the general fund nor the reserves, nor our debt. It’s money that’s the best ROI (return on investment) for our city, because they’re already allocated.”
UNF Hodges Field renovations
Renovations to Hodges Field would contribute $6 million toward a $40 million renovation project that would give UNF the opportunity to host NCAA and high school tournaments. In addition to the stadium renovations, the funding would allow UNF to build additional grass training facilities around Hodges Field.
FSCJ Training Institute at Cecil Commerce Center
Arias’ proposed $5 million toward FSCJ would fund the purchase of a building to house the FSCJ Training Institute at the Cecil Commerce Center. The Training Institute, which is in development, will support a technical educational training facility for skilled trades, including welding, electrical, HVAC, carpentry and logistics work.
Edward Waters complex
Arias’ proposed $2.675 million funding for Edward Waters would go toward the first phase of multiyear improvements for the university’s Living, Learning, Community Center complex.
Edward Waters plans to add 86,000 square feet with 425 residential beds and provide convening space for institutional and external events and expand direct services to the community around the campus through health, wellness and senior/youth engagement programs, according to the legislation.
NEFBA Workforce Development Center
NEFBA is expanding its apprenticeship program with a new Workforce Development Center, and the bill would provide $1 million for it. According to attachments to Arias’ bill, the 43,000-square-foot facility “will serve as a centralized hub for classroom and lab instruction, outreach, and community engagement.”
The center will include classrooms and labs with capacity for daytime and evening classes.
Workforce training
A Downtown workforce development program operated by Workforce Industrial Training LLC would receive $325,000. The program plans to recruit, train and place 100 Jacksonville residents with year-round, cost-free certification programs. The CEO of Workforce Industrial Training is James Coleman.
“The kind of investment that I’m trying to put in here is not just an investment towards a program. It’s really to get the best ROI possible,” Arias said.
Arias’ bill was formally introduced during the Oct. 14 Council meeting.