Dear Friends:

As JaxPort begins to fulfill its promise as the city's economic connection to the rest of the world, and new corporate neighbors like Alenia North America, Pilot Corporation and Deutsche Bank are welcomed along with increased job opportunity, Jacksonville is enjoying an upward turn in economic development.  As we look back at the successes of a productive year, the Blueprint for Prosperity partnership acknowledges progress in its pursuit of economic growth in Jacksonville, but also realizes opportunities for future improvement.

Extremely encouraging is the rise in both per capita income and median household income described in this annual report.  The five-year track for Duval County's per capita income has jumped more than 5 percent, bringing us only one-tenth of a percentage point away from equaling the national average. 

However, there is evidence that Jacksonville's socioeconomic disparities persist as we see an increase in both the percentage of working age blacks living in poverty and the gap between per capita income of blacks and other races.  Narrowing this gap and continuing to work toward increased minority earnings must remain a focus area for efforts in the year ahead.

In order to improve conditions conducive to economic prosperity, especially in areas where socioeconomic discrepancies exist, the Jacksonville Journey took important first steps toward a long-term solution to public safety issues.  Journey recommendations influenced a $30 million allocation toward new public safety investments for the upcoming budget year.  I am confident that these investments will lead to a safer city, increasing corporate expansion to our city and job opportunities for our citizens.

As a Blueprint Partner, your organization can join in the community-wide effort to improve the quality of life for all residents.  The Blueprint Strategic Plan outlines more than a hundred tailor-made strategies for fostering economic growth.  Jacksonville needs partners like you to step up and join the fight for peace and prosperity in our town. 

We urge you to become a Blueprint Partner, if you are not already, and help Jacksonville move forward to ensure a brighter future for everyone in our community. 

Warm regards,

John Peyton                                           
Mayor, City of Jacksonville  

Lisa V. Moore
Chair, Blueprint for Prosperity
Regional Sales Executive, IBM General Business