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Florida Trend Reveals 2010 Economic Yearbook for Northeast Florida – New Jobs and Businesses on the Way

March 30th, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Florida Trend has unveiled its 2010 Economic Yearbook for Jacksonville with positive reports of new jobs, new businesses and an ever-important political race on the forefront.

According to the yearbook, Downtown Jacksonville and Cecil Commerce Center are two hot spots that hold the key to success for Northeast Florida in 2010. The new report also predicts Jacksonville could see economic boom from high-profile projects, influential leaders and big businesses that are hiring. Here’s a recap from the yearbook:

  • Cecil Commerce Center – the former naval base is now a 17,000-acre commercial and industrial site. It’s seen its most promising movement recently with Saft America building a $200-million lithium-ion battery plant that will bring 280 jobs.
  • Downtown Jacksonville – the City Council recently approved Mayor John Peyton’s plan to rebuild the Southbank Riverwalk, Friendship Fountain and Metro Park. Leaders say the crucial need for success lays in the urban core, where the city hopes to attract more than 10,000 residents.

People to Watch

  • As the mayor’s race draws closer, Florida Trend says to keep an eye on tax collector Mike Hogan, city councilman Kevin Hyde and Audrey Moran, president of the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. Others in the race include Jim Bailey and Rick Mullaney, city general counsel.

Businesses to Watch

  • Lender Processing Services employs about 2,100 of its 8,400 workers in Jacksonville and plans to add hundreds more in 2010.
  • Rayonier had a successful 2009 with sales of $830 million, which is $41 million above 2008. While others in the timber and real estate markets toppled, Rayonier came out on top, which makes them a company to watch this year.
  • Perdue Office Interiors moved from the Southside to a new downtown location, where it is has built a new showroom on the first floor of the old Woolworth’s on Forsyth Street.

Who’s Hiring

  • Lender Processing Services plans to add 350 positions in Jacksonville
  • Saft America plans to complete its plant this fall and hire nearly 300 jobs
  • Systems Service Enterprises plans to hire 60 software engineers, graphic designers and other professionals in 2010 after it relocated from St. Louis
  • Deutsche Bank AG is planning to add another 250 jobs to the 625 jobs it has created since opening in 2008

All of this is great economic news for Northeast Florida. What is your take on our economy in 2010? Do you have any inside information about new jobs or businesses coming to the area? If so, let us know in our comments section below.

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