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January 17-23, 2019
Mathis Report: Tru by Hilton planning area expansion PAGE 4
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JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer
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JACKSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION JACKSONVILLE
Preferred Freezer seeking city grants
Record & Observer JACKSONVILLE
Record & Observer
CANDIDATES JACKSONVILLE
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Company wants to develop a $46.7 million cold storage warehouse, create at least 40 jobs.
BY SCOTT SAILER
EDITORIAL RESEARCH DIRECTOR
The city is considering up to $1.2 million in grants for Preferred Freezer Services to develop a $46.7 million cold storage warehouse in Northwest Jacksonville and create at least 40 full-time jobs. The Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund Advisory Board recommended approval Tuesday for a $100,000 Northwest Jacksonville Business Infrastructure Grant to Preferred Freezer Services. In addition, the Office of Wendland Economic Development intends to propose a Recapture Enhanced Value grant of up to $1.1 million, according to OED Executive Director Kirk Wendland. The grant would refund 50 percent of the increase in ad valorem taxes generated by the project over the first five years of operation. The incentives require City Council approval. Preferred Freezer Services, a national refrigerated storage warehouse company, would use the Northwest grant to help install a water line to the site, according to Wendland. The company proposes to develop the 222,824-square-foot
Record & Observer
SEATS THE CAWTON REPORT
The field is in place for Election Day on March 19.
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DAVID CAWTON STAFF WRITER
ow that qualifying has ended for the March unitary elections in Jacksonville, the candidates running for City Council have just a few months to win over voters. The election is scheduled March 19. If no candidate secures 50 percent of the votes, plus one vote, the top two candidates will face off in a May 14 runoff election.
Florida lawmakers warned about economic headwinds PAGE 3 A look at law firm’s new home at Wells Fargo Center PAGE 10 OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP
When the January qualifying period ended at noon Jan. 11, two incumbent council members automatically won reelection without facing a challenger. City Council President and District 3 representative Aaron Bowman will serve a second term, as will Danny Becton, who represents District 11 in Southeast SEE CAWTON, PAGE 8
SEE PREFERRED, PAGE 8
THE BASCH REPORT
Stein Mart holiday sales disappoint ‘Perfect storm’ of events. PAGE 6 VOLUME 1, NO. 33 • ONE SECTION