A vacant, 11-acre plot of land nestled between Riverside Avenue and Park Street in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Downtown Jacksonville is now officially on its way to sprouting a major development project expected to create 247 jobs while revamping aging public infrastructure and netting an estimated $10 million in ad valorem revenues over the next 20 years for the City of Jacksonville.

Read about other recent economic development bills signed by Mayor Brown

Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic announces return to EverBank Field

The third annual Moe’s Southwest Grill Classic will be played Feb. 17, 2013 at EverBank Field, as another highlight of an increasingly busy February for sports fans.

Mayor Alvin Brown and his education commissioner, Donnie Horner, had a meeting with the new Duval County Schools Superintendent, Nikolai Vitti, on Monday, Dec. 10. The mayor welcomed Dr. Vitti to Jacksonville with an easy, free-flowing and productive discussion.

Mayor applauds City Council for backing legislation to reduce wait time

Mayor Alvin Brown’s plan to overhaul economic development policy is now official. The mayor signed legislation (2012-213) Wednesday creating a more efficient process for companies to collaborate with City Hall for development, relocation or expansion in Jacksonville. The bill-signing followed a unanimous vote by City Council to approve the measure Tuesday night.

“This is about investing in our future and making Jacksonville the most competitive city it can be at time that cities all over America are fighting for jobs,” said the mayor. “Our streamlined policy empowers the City of Jacksonville to work more effectively with the private sector for jobs and opportunity. I commend City Council for its hard work and dedication to economic development.”

Jacksonville University's Information Technology Department donated 15 computers for distribution by the city’s Education Commissioner. Ten computers were delivered to Northside Community Involvement, Inc. and five were delivered to Ortega Elementary School. Ortega Elementary Principal Stephanie Shepard was excited about receiving the computers. She said that they would be valuable tools in helping her school’s students prepare for testing and improving their typing and research skills. Roshanda Jackson, Executive Officer, Northside Community Involvement, was very eager to get the computers operational for the students that they serve.

Read a thank you letter from Principal Shepard

Team Wins Pop Warner Midget Division National Championship

On Saturday, December 8^th the Sweetwater Athletic Association Pop Warner football team (Midget Division – ages 12-15) defeated the Northwest Raiders Midget Team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by a score of 30-0 to win the Pop Warner Division 1 Midget National Championship at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
 

Mayor Alvin Brown presented awards to the nine winners of the inaugural Mayor Brown Essay Contest on Friday, Dec. 7, at City Hall. The essay contest theme, “With A College Degree I can…”, prompted 827 entries from elementary, middle and high school students throughout Duval County. First place winners received iPads; second place winners received Nexus Tablets and third place winners received a $200 Visa gift card. Prizes were purchased through the Mayor’s Education Trust Fund.

Watch the video from the award presentation