The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) employs 17 people and works to bring new business and industry to Jacksonville. Its main objectives are to recruit and expand higher wage job opportunities, to encourage private capital investment, increase the growth and expansion of small businesses, leverage investment in economically distressed areas within the Enterprise and Empowerment Zone areas and promote a healthy and vibrant downtown.
The organization works to encourage development at Cecil Commerce Center. JEDC also has a big picture view of the area's economy and works with other public and private sector organizations to ensure that our community is attractive to companies creating higher wage jobs and that Jacksonville is poised to succeed in the new economy.
The JEDC is the liaison between the city and its entertainment facilities manager SMG. Managed facilities include EverBank Field, Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Times-Union Center for Performing Arts, the Prime Osborn Convention Center and the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. The JEDC also promotes the area to film and television productions that create jobs for local workers and to large sporting events that attract many visitors like the annual Florida/Georgia Football Game.
2011 Budget:
The total budget, which includes Other Funds and Enterprise Funds for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission is $43,325,202.
The General Fund – GSD budget is $16,138,353.
2010 Budget:
The total budget, which included Other Funds and Enterprise Funds for the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission was $40,751,835.
The General Fund - GSD budget was $17,528,187.
Did You Know?
Over the last three years, JEDC projects that received public investment directly created 3,000 jobs and $478 million in new capital investment in our community. These projects expanded higher wage job opportunities for residents and diversified the tax base so that businesses can contribute a greater amount to the operation of the city, lowering the tax burden on residents.