March 29, 2024

Economic yearbook 2010

Northeast Fla. Yearbook 2010

Downtown, Cecil Field and Mayport hold the key to success.

Cynthia Barnett | 4/1/2010

St. Augustine/ St. Johns County

St. Johns County has a relatively low unemployment rate, and its population growth continues to outpace that of neighbors, including Duval. But that residential growth has kept the county tax base out of whack, with 85% residential development compared to 15% commercial. The county suffered a real blow this year when a commissioner working to change that mix — former Chairman Tom Manuel — was sent to federal prison for demanding bribes from developers. Economic development officials say the recession has them focusing on the short-term: They are working to increase the inventory of “shovel-ready” commercial/industrial sites for prospects who want to move now — not five years from now.

Business to Watch

» When Florida’s real estate market imploded, St. Johns County officials who’d championed development of 13,000-acre Nocatee were more than a little worried that the sprawling new town at the Duval County border (more than 11,000 acres are in St. Johns) would implode as well. But master developer PARC Group has maintained a steady stream of new activity, including completion of the first phase of Nocatee Town Center with the largest Publix in northeast Florida; unveiling of the town’s water park; and a deal with Pulte Homes to more than double its Riverwood “active adult” community at Nocatee to 1,015 acres and 1,988 homes.

Nassau County

Nassau County hasn’t seen its job numbers turn around like some other parts of north Florida have, but regional and county programs targeting international economic development seem to be paying off. (Favorable exchange rates don’t hurt, either.) About 40% of the Nassau County Economic Development Board’s current prospects are companies outside the U.S. Economic developers have held popular “export-U” training programs to help local businesses start exporting. Meanwhile, longtime exporters are seeing an uptick. For example, Smurfit-Stone, emerging from bankruptcy protection, has beefed up production at its Fernandina Beach mill.

Person to Watch

» Nancy Bell is president of Science First! Labs, a designer, manufacturer and marketer of science education equipment like portable planetariums and water-sampling kits. The company was founded by her father in 1960, and Bell now runs it with her two sons (her two daughters, who don’t work in the company, also share ownership). Bell relocated the company last year from Buffalo, N.Y., moved into a new, 25,000-sq.-ft. building in Yulee and made two dozen local hires. The company recently acquired an aquarium product manufacturer called SeaLife Systems and is negotiating another acquisition; if it goes through, Bell will hire an additional 20 employees.

Orange Park/Clay County

Clay County is concentrating on transportation improvements and commercial redevelopment in some of its gridlocked urban areas. The Clay County Development Authority is working with the city of Green Cove Springs and the county on a major brownfields redevelopment plan for the corridor areas of State Road 16 and U.S. 17. Local leaders believe Green Cove could become the beautiful tourist draw it once was.

Person to Watch

» Thomas Pentz is the CEO of Orange Park Medical Center, the largest private employer in Clay County. He’s leading the hospital in major expansions, including the addition of private towers and heart surgery rooms.

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