JAX USA official urges Clay County to invest in utilities, workforce as region grows
May 28, 2024 | Clay County, Florida
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Andre Wallace, president of regional economic partnership JAX USA, told the Clay County Board of County Commissioners on May 28 that Northeast Florida remains a national job‑market leader and that Clay County must prepare now to capture growth.
Wallace outlined four strategic pillars — talent development, business recruitment and retention, quality of life, and infrastructure — and said the region’s competitiveness depends on coordination with the state Department of Commerce, now organized into Select Florida (international) and Team Florida (domestic). He cited the Wall Street Journal ranking of the region’s job market and noted trends such as advanced manufacturing, transportation logistics, life sciences and corporate relocations.
Wallace reported referral activity for the region: 33 projects referred in 2022, 30 in 2023 and nine year‑to‑date in 2024, and attributed the year‑to‑date decline partly to projects that have already chosen locations and to supply‑chain constraints such as limited availability of electrical transformers needed for heavy‑utility projects. He urged the commission to prioritize sites with public control of land and ready utilities to improve Clay County’s chances of winning projects.
Commissioners pressed Wallace on how counties typically finance on‑site utilities and on whether counties buy land and install infrastructure or fund utility extensions. Wallace said approaches vary: some counties purchase and develop property and others use general fund dollars or partner with regional entities; he recommended studying examples such as Baker County’s industrial park. He also said workforce readiness — from K‑20 through apprenticeships — is essential for attracting employers and recommended partnerships with St. Johns River State College and local apprenticeship programs.
Why it matters: Wallace told the board that 2025–2028 will be pivotal years for the county to get projects before state legislators and to secure funding and political support for infrastructure. The county can increase its competitiveness by planning utility access and aligning workforce pipelines with employer needs.
What’s next: Wallace recommended county staff and the Clay County Economic Development Corporation continue coordinating with the region and the Department of Commerce to identify infrastructure priorities and candidate sites for utility investment.
Wallace outlined four strategic pillars — talent development, business recruitment and retention, quality of life, and infrastructure — and said the region’s competitiveness depends on coordination with the state Department of Commerce, now organized into Select Florida (international) and Team Florida (domestic). He cited the Wall Street Journal ranking of the region’s job market and noted trends such as advanced manufacturing, transportation logistics, life sciences and corporate relocations.
Wallace reported referral activity for the region: 33 projects referred in 2022, 30 in 2023 and nine year‑to‑date in 2024, and attributed the year‑to‑date decline partly to projects that have already chosen locations and to supply‑chain constraints such as limited availability of electrical transformers needed for heavy‑utility projects. He urged the commission to prioritize sites with public control of land and ready utilities to improve Clay County’s chances of winning projects.
Commissioners pressed Wallace on how counties typically finance on‑site utilities and on whether counties buy land and install infrastructure or fund utility extensions. Wallace said approaches vary: some counties purchase and develop property and others use general fund dollars or partner with regional entities; he recommended studying examples such as Baker County’s industrial park. He also said workforce readiness — from K‑20 through apprenticeships — is essential for attracting employers and recommended partnerships with St. Johns River State College and local apprenticeship programs.
Why it matters: Wallace told the board that 2025–2028 will be pivotal years for the county to get projects before state legislators and to secure funding and political support for infrastructure. The county can increase its competitiveness by planning utility access and aligning workforce pipelines with employer needs.
What’s next: Wallace recommended county staff and the Clay County Economic Development Corporation continue coordinating with the region and the Department of Commerce to identify infrastructure priorities and candidate sites for utility investment.
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