The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) is giving us the scoop on the latest economic developments for the city. Their latest report show signs of job growth, national kudos for Jacksonville and the hottest news in film, sports and entertainment. Here are some of the highlights:

Business

• The Jobs for the Unemployed Tax Credit Program provides incentives to businesses throughout the state of Florida that hire qualified employees who were previously unemployed. Participating businesses will receive a state corporate income tax credit for every eligible employee hired on or after July 1, 2010. New hires that remain employed after a 12-month period, with an average of 36 working hours per week, will allow their employer to be eligible for this tax credit. Click here for more details and to download an application. 
• According to a recent article in Site Selection magazine, Jacksonville had the highest foreign capital investment in Florida in 2010 with the $122 million SAFT project. 
• Site Selection magazine ranked Florida No. 14 on the best business climates list.   
• According to the 2011 Tax Foundation survey, Florida has the nation’s fifth best tax climate for business for the sixth year in a row.
• Keystone Coal Company has plans to open a $100 million, 110-acre private coal terminal on Talleyrand Avenue in 2011.  The terminal will be capable of exporting and importing coal, steel, grain and other materials and will have a Norfolk Southern rail loop, allowing goods to be loaded onto railcars. The new terminal will create approximately 35 jobs initially and will be the port’s only private coal terminal.
• Flightstar Aircraft Services Inc., located at Cecil Field, announced plans to hire 200 people over the next six months.  Flightstar specializes in heavy aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul providers.  Click here to visit their web site.

Sports and Entertainment

• USA Gymnastics announced that the 2011 AT&T American Cup will be held in Jacksonville on March 4-5, 2011, at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.  Click here to see a sneak preview.
• Jacksonville will host a Lacrosse tournament on February 20, 2011, and the UF vs. FSU Baseball Game will be on March 29, 2011.  Additional event information coming soon on www.jaxsport.net. 
• “Like Dandelion Dust,” an independent film shot in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach in 2008, has been receiving national and international attention with its recent theatrical release. In the film, Jacksonville doubled for coastal Florida, the Midwest and Haiti.  Much of the film’s $2.5 million budget was raised through Jacksonville investors.
• The Film Office is currently assisting executives regarding two motion pictures, two television pilots for a series and several commercials. Visit www.filmjax.blogspot.com/ for the latest in film news.

All great news for Jacksonville’s! For additional news about Jacksonville’s continued economic development, visit www.jaxdevelopment.org.

 Do you have an interesting update or positive story to share? Let us know in the comments section below.