News and Announcements
Governor Rick Scott Visits St. Johns County
St. Augustine Record, May 13, 2012. As The Players Championship's first round wound down Thursday afternoon, Governor Rick Scott and leaders in government and business from across the state gathered at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Village to showcase St. Johns County as an area that is ready and open for business…Scott and president and CEO of Enterprise Florida Grey Swoope awarded recognitions to the St. Johns County School District and Health Department for their top rankings in 2011. They are both important factors in economic development, according to the Governor and Swoope. TPC Governor's Reception.
County Offering Incentives to Attract Company Headquarters
St. Augustine Record, April 17, 2012. A software developer for mobile applications has been kicking the tires and checking the engine of St. Johns County as the firm searches for a site to build a new corporate headquarters. St. Johns County's Director of Economic Development Melissa Glasgow said Tuesday that the company's relocation here would bring together its 26 current employees — including 10 now in Northeast Florida — under one roof. "All of its employees work remotely, so there is no central operation," Glasgow said. "But they are growing so rapidly that they want to move quickly." Even better, the company wants to hire 40 more employees earning salaries averaging $70,000. Incentives Offered to Attract Headquarters.
St. Johns County Home Permits Way Up Over Rest of Region
Jacksonville Business Journal, April 3, 2012. St. Johns County continues to outpace the rest of the region in homebuilding — 55 percent of all new home permits in the region in March were pulled there, according to the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Building Permits Up.
Memorial Hospital Looks for Shot in the Arm from New St. Johns ER
Jacksonville Business Journal, March 30, 2012. Memorial Hospital is making a play to draw more business from the growing corridor in northern St. Johns County. Memorial has signed a long-term lease for an 11,000-square-foot, 12-bed freestanding emergency room to be built at 3635 Race Track Road. Tampa-based Axcel Development Group will break ground on the nearly $5 million facility April 16, said Memorial President and CEO Jim O'Loughlin. He hopes to be accepting patients there by the end of 2012. Memorial is negotiating an incentive package with St. Johns County for the expansion. New St Johns County Emergency Room.
Foreign Company to Bring in 125 jobs
St. Augustine Record, March 26, 2012. A German company that builds clean energy power generation systems will open a U.S. manufacturing plant in St. Augustine, creating 125 jobs with an average salary of $50,000. The company, 2G Cenergy Powers Systems Inc., will locate in the industrial park southeast of the intersection of Interstate 95 and State Road 16. Chief Executive Officer and President Michael J. Turwitt said Monday that the St. Augustine plant would be the company's first in the United States. The company selected St. Augustine from among dozens of others to manufacture its clean energy power generation systems "due to its proximity to major ports, a strong regional base of potential suppliers, a positive and pro-active business climate and a good pool of potential employees with manufacturing experience," Turwitt said. German firm to bring 125 jobs.
IDA Approves Flagler Hospital Bond
The St. Johns County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has approved the issuance of up to $30 million in industrial revenue bonds to support the expansion of Flagler Hospital, Inc. and bring new jobs to the area. The funding will support the expansion and improvements of the St. Johns County hospital, which is consistently recognized nationally for overall clinical excellence. Press Release from Infinity Global Solutions.
Economic Development Success Story
2G Group announced on March 26, 2012, that it has selected St. Johns County for their first U.S. manufacturing plant for clean-energy power generation systems. The company has purchased a 60,000 square foot industrial building and will invest several million dollars and employ 125 people at the new facility. The site was selected from among dozens of locations considered in the Southeastern U.S. due to its proximity to major ports, a strong regional base of potential suppliers, a positive and pro-active business climate and a good pool of potential employees with manufacturing experience. Full details from 2G Group.
St. Joe Hopes to Boost Business with RiverTown Investment
Jacksonville Business Journal, March 16, 2012. The St. Joe Co. will spend millions of dollars on RiverTown this year in hopes of drawing some of the momentum of northern St. Johns County's housing market to the recession-stalled master-planned community. Press Release.
Small Business Development Center Aids Local Business
Historic City News, February 17, 2012. St. Augustine residents Don and Susan Locklin shared a goal to build on their local mobile vending business and open a brick and mortar restaurant. With assistance from UNF's Small Business Development Center, they achieved that goal. Small Business Development Center Success
Contest: Best New Company, Non-Profit, and Project of 2011
Our region is full of innovative companies and inspired non-profits, creative projects and bold ideas. The JAX Boldest contest discovers and highlights those created or expanded in 2011. Jax Boldest Contest.
St. Johns County 1st in 2011 Florida School District Rankings
January 23, 2012. St. Johns County School District topped the list of 67 state school districts in a numerical ranking released today by the Florida Department of Education. . Press release.
Vilano Beach Publix Celebrates Grand Opening
January 6, 2012. "This Publix Town Center project is a significant milestone in the Vilano Beach Main Street community that has been the focus of economic development revitalization for the past 14 years," said St. Johns County Commissioner Ken Bryan. Press release.
Carlisle Interconnect Technologies
Florida Trend, November 11, 2011. St. Augustine-based Carlisle Interconnect Technologies is adding 20,000 square feet and plans to bump up its workforce by 90 over the next few years. Full article.
St. Johns County is Leading NE Florida in Residential Permits Issued
St. Augustine Record, October 13, 2011. At same time, inventory of unsold home slowly going down. St. Johns County is leading northeast Florida in the number of new residential building permits, according to a permit report by MarketGraphics Southeast. Full article.
Does St. Johns County have a recipe for economic success?
Daytona Beach News-Journal, September 2011. When it comes to economic development in Flagler County, there are those who think local officials need look no further than their neighbor to the north. "I think they're going to have to pattern after St. Johns County." Full article.
St. Augustine Featured in Where to Retire Magazine
Where to Retire Magazine, October / September 2011. Northeast Florida Coastal town with "simple, easy living" keeps centuries of history alive as America's oldest city. Full article.
New Assisted Living Facility to Bring 190 Jobs
St. Augustine Record, July 2011. Recent intensified efforts to attract more industry to St. Johns County may have paid off as the County Commission approved a $619,862 incentive package to Silver Creek Senior Care Facility, a 200-bed, $31.5 million medical center planned for 34 acres off State Road 207. Full article.
St. Johns Growth Doubling this Year
St. Augustine Record, August 2011. The number of commercial development permits issued by St. Johns County's Building Services Division this year is nearly twice those of 2010, while residential home permits are up nearly 10 percent. Full article.
County's New Director's Top Job: Expand Tax Base
St. Augustine Record, August 2011. The St. Johns County Commission, having done what it thinks is its best to create a business-friendly atmosphere, did not want to just wait around all dressed up, hoping a handsome business suitor would ask for a dance. They wanted someone able to court business and industry and get them to consider moving here. Full article.
St. Johns County Hires Director of Economic Development
August 14, 2011. Consistent with the County Commission's primary goal of increasing economic development, Melissa S. Glasgow has been hired as the County's new Director of Economic Development. Glasgow will work closely with the Chambers of Commerce, Industrial Development Authority and other established local and regional groups to attract new businesses to St. Johns County, as well as support existing businesses. "St. Johns County has so many wonderful assets conducive to business such as the top-ranked school system in Florida, a strong transportation infrastructure network and educated workforce," she said. "Blend those attributes with our beautiful natural resources and dynamic quality of life, and we have a highly desirable product to showcase to corporate executives considering expansion or relocation." Press release.
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