JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis has awarded $5.5 million to the City of Jacksonville to fund the construction of a rail spur that will support Cecil Commerce Center. The funding comes via the Governor’s Florida Job Growth Grant Fund.
Cecil Commerce Center is a 600-acre industrial park located adjacent to I-10 on Jacksonville’s Westside. According to the city’s website, it “one of the most sought-after locations in the Southeastern United States for manufacturing, supply chain logistics and industrial end users.”
CREATES 500 NEW JOBS
The rail spur will connect the main rail line with the industrial park, which was previously inaccessible, allowing the city to attract businesses to the mega site. The project is expected to create 500 new jobs and generate a $14 million economic impact for the city of Jacksonville.
“This is going to make a big difference in the manufacturing business footprint here in the state of Florida and in Northeast Florida in particular,” DeSantis said at a press conference at Cecil Airport. “I know they’ve already been talking, both at the local level and state, with some companies that are eyeing this. And this would be enough for them to want to come [to Jacksonville]. So stay tuned, I think you’re going to see some good announcements in the not too distant future.”
“CONTINUE TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS”
Last September, the governor awarded $13 million to Jacksonville Aviation Authority to fund infrastructure at Cecil Airport and Spaceport.
“The City of Jacksonville is grateful to Governor DeSantis for this funding and we look forward to the expansion,” Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry said in a press release. “Jacksonville is experiencing record growth and this will ensure we continue to attract new business and potential workforce.”
Tuesday’s announcement from the governor comes on the heels of another major business development in the private sector. Two weeks ago, the multinational fintech corporation Paysafe announced it would open its North American headquarters in Jacksonville.
