Jacksonville City Council could offer up to $400,000 in public incentives for a California-based movie or TV production company to film in the city.
Ordinance 2025-0720, introduced by City Council member Rahman Johnson, would transfer $400,000 from the city’s debt management fund to the Office of Economic Development for the production, code-named Project T in city documents.
The OED would then negotiate an agreement with the company, which would then be submitted to Council for approval.
The legislation was before the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee on Sept. 15.
Ed Randolph, the office’s director of economic development, told the committee that the company plans to spend $3 million on its production in Jacksonville.
He said that over six weeks of production, the company would purchase 2,400 hotel room nights for its staff and employ about 100 Jacksonville residents.
The city estimates a return of $7 for every $1 of investment, he said.
A legislative summary of the ordinance says the funding would be offered as an OED “Film and Television Incentive.”
In March 2024, the city launched its Jacksonville Film & Television Program, which offers two tiers of rebates to producers upon completion of their projects. One tier offers a 20% rebate for a minimum of $1 million in qualified expenditures in Duval County, capped at $400,000.
The incentives are administered by the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, a division of the OED.
In recent months, Council members have discouraged the OED and the Downtown Investment Authority, which also administers incentive grant programs, from bringing forward incentive requests involving direct cash payouts.
Council has instead expressed preference for Recapture Enhanced Value Grants, which are refunds on ad valorem property tax revenue generated by a new development. Cash grants are direct payouts from city coffers.
Randolph told the committee that Jacksonville was “just not really competitive” in attracting film and TV productions.
“Looking at our peer cities, just in the state of Florida, their film activities are much greater than ours,” he said. “We’re starting to gain steam, getting back to our former glory in the film and television arena.”
In the early 1900s, Jacksonville was home to more than 30 film studios during the silent movie era. According to news accounts, competition from Hollywood and cultural friction between local residents and the industry workforce led studios to relocate.
According to Visit Jacksonville, more recent films shot in the city include “G.I. Jane” and “The Devil’s Advocate,” in 1997; “Basic” in 2003; “Lonely Hearts” in 2006; “Recount” and “The Year of Getting to Know Us” in 2008.
Johnson’s background includes work in journalism and entertainment, including as host of the Nickelodeon TV show “SPLAT,” in the early 2000s.
In response to a request for public records related to Project T, the city declined to provide further details. Economic development agreements often use code names, which are allowed by state law.
Johnson’s legislation was deferred in the Neighborhoods committee on a 3-2 vote. It needing four votes — a majority of the full seven members of the committee — to earn recommendation for approval or denial.
Council members Randy White, Ken Amaro and and Michael Boylan voted yes. Members Mike Gay and Ron Salem voted no. Member Chris Miller was away with an excused absence, and member Tyrona Clark-Murray was not present when the vote was taken.