Future job growth and business development were highlighted in a recent Investor Update by Cornerstone, the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

• Flightstar Aircraft Services is adding 200 high-wage jobs to Jacksonville’s economy over the next six months. The jobs are intended to meet demand for increased business to repair aircraft and convert passenger jets into cargo planes. The company’s 130,000 sq. ft. hanger will also be used next year by Florida State College at Jacksonville aviation and aerospace students as they gain on-site training needed to move into high-tech jobs in the aviation industry.

• North Florida Shipyards has completed improvements to its facility with funds allocated from the Recovery Zone (RZ) Program, created under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The company utilized $4 million of the RZ funds and the completed project is expected to create 246 new high-wage jobs. RZ bonds must be issued by January 1, 2011, so companies sill have time to apply. Contact Lindsey Ballas, JEDC Business Development Chief at (904) 630-2940 to learn more about the program.

• Flagler County officials are pursuing a brownfields assessment coalition grant that will allow the county to inventory potential brownfield sites, characterize the sites and begin redevelopment efforts. The County remains aggressive in its economic development efforts and would use the grant to increase the economic viability of unused properties.

• Clay County has scheduled its next international trip to India March 29-April 6, 2011 . Business and civic leaders will be traveling to India to explore international growth potential, as well as different aspects of India’s vast and growing economy. To learn more, contact Leah Zdenek at (904) 394-0646.

This is fantastic economic news for the Northeast Florida region! For more information on business development in Northeast Florida, visit www.expandinjax.com.