In 2010 the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce partnered with numerous organizations to help defeat Amendment 4, fill EverBank Field, help small businesses grow and, through its economic development arm, Cornerstone, add 3,200 new jobs and strengthen Jacksonville’s position as America’s Logistics Center.

Announcements about high-wage job growth in Jacksonville include:

•  Bank of America Corp. – 1,000 new jobs
• Lender Processing Services – 350 new jobs
• Digital Risk – 300 new jobs
• PNC Mortgage – 200 new jobs
• Adecco – 100 new jobs
• Flightstar Aircraft Services – 200 jobs, $25 million in capital investment
• Mercedes-Benz – 98 new jobs, $24 million in capital investment
• Interline Brands – 70 new jobs, more than $3 million in capital investment

Because Jacksonville is the western most city on the Eastern Seaboard, its location provides direct access to the Southeastern United States and makes the region well-positioned to be an international center for trade and logistics.  To help solidify Jacksonville as America’s Logistics Center, Cornerstone collaborated with the City of Jacksonville, JAXPORT and North Florida Transportation Planning Organization to arrange for, fund and commence the North Florida Freight Logistics and Intermodal Plan.  Required to obtain federal funding, the plan will outline capital infrastructure needs.

Here are several additional highlights from the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce 2010 year in review:

• The Chamber actively engaged in the effort to defeat Amendment 4, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have deterred businesses from locating in Florida.  The initiative was soundly defeated statewide. Northeast Florida rejected Amendment 4 with the greatest margin of defeat (73/27).
• With an estimated economic impact of more than $200 million per year, the Jacksonville Jaguars significantly contribute to the city’s economic development, national exposure and community pride.  Members of the Chamber’s Retain the Jaguars committee personally contacted more than 100 businesses, resulting in individual ticket sales and customized corporate packages. 
• Nearly 200 representatives from every sector of the health care industry and small business owners concerned about health issues participated in the Chamber’s first Health Council meeting in September.  In just three months, the Health Council added nearly 100 members and continues to attract large crowds.
• More than 3,000 aspiring and existing small business owners sought guidance from the Chamber’s Small Business Division workshops, counseling sessions and mentors. The Chamber helped launch 37 new businesses that created 144 new jobs. 
• Five Northeast Florida female entrepreneurs collectively added 80 new jobs and attributed their business growth to the personalized, expert guidance they received through the ATHENAPowerLink® mentoring program. Offered through the Chamber’s Jacksonville Women’s Business Center (JWBC), ATHENAPowerLink® is a specialized year-long program that helps women fine-tune their business practices, increase revenue and grow.
• The Chamber’s JWBC provides such outstanding mentoring programs that the Division of Continuing Education at the University of North Florida recognized the JWBC with an Excellence in Employee Development Award in coaching and mentoring. 

Wally Lee, President of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce had the following to say about the Chamber’s success in 2010:

“It is because of the active involvement of our members and business partners that we were able to achieve such tremendous accomplishments in 2010. We so much appreciate all who contributed their time, talent and resources to ensure that Jacksonville is a vibrant community with a strong economy and an outstanding quality of life.”

The Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstone work tirelessly to promote Northeast Florida business development. The Chamber’s 2011 Board of Directors, chaired by A. Hugh Greene, Baptist Health System’s CEO, will meet January 21 to set the organizations 2011 work agenda. For more information about the Jacksonville Regional Chmaber of Commerce, visit www.OpportunityJacksonville.com.