Jacksonville is one of the cities listed in Valentino’s presentation as a success story. Here is its structure:
Jacksonville Economic Development Commission – JEDC
Form: Government Board 2008-09 Budget: $11.4 million
Primary Funding Source: General Fund
9 Commissioners –All appointed by County Mayor.
Chair – Zimmerman (Zim) Boulos, President, Office Environments and Services, Inc.
* Christopher (Chris) Corr, Chair, EDAW Americas East; Global Director of Real Estate, AECOM
* Brenda B. Ezell, Attorney, Ezell Law Firm, PA
* Craig A. Gibbs, Attorney, The Law Office of Craig Gibbs
* Robert W. Helms, CEO (retired), Wachovia Bank of Florida
* Jack L. Meeks, President, Meeks, Ross, Selander & Associates
* Barbara Moore, Division President, Lennar
* Helen Rowan, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Rayonier, Inc.
* Randle P. Shoemaker, Vice President, Legal, Regency Centers Corporation
The membership of the commission is established at nine members who shall be residents of the City of Jacksonville and who shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council.
The mayor shall appoint a chairman who shall serve until such time as another chairman may be appointed by the mayor. At least three members of the commission shall reside, work, or own property in the Jacksonville Downtown Area. Each member of the commission shall serve a term of two years or until a successor is appointed. No member appointed to the commission for three consecutive full terms shall be eligible for appointment to a next succeeding term. The members shall serve as commissioners of the community redevelopment agency under part III, chapter 163, Florida Statutes, and they shall also serve as members of the industrial development authority under part III, chapter 159, Florida Statutes. All business of the commission shall be conducted at meetings wherein at least four members of the commission are present and voting.
Ex officio advisors to the commission.
(1) The president of the Council of the City of Jacksonville or his or her designee.
(2) The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the JEA.
(3) The Managing Director of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
(4) The President/Chief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Port Authority.
(5) The President/Chief Executive Officer of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
(6) The Executive Director of the Jacksonville Housing Commission.
(7) The Chairman of the Duval County State Legislative Delegation or his or her designee, who shall be a member of the delegation.
(8) The Chairman of the NAACP or his or her designee.
(9) The Chairman of the Urban League or his or her designee.
Technical advisors
1) The Planning and Development Department of the city.
(2) The Jacksonville Film Commission.
(3) Sister cities.
(4) International relations and marketing development commission.
(5) Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Board.
(6) Jacksonville Enterprise Zone Development Agency.
(7) Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund Advisory Committee.
(8) Overall Economic Development Plan Committee.
(9) Jacksonville Economic Development Company.
(10) Enterprise North Florida Corporation.
(11) City departments as appropriate.
(12) Jacksonville International Airport Community Redevelopment Area Board.
(13) Tourist Development Council.
(14) Convention and Visitor Bureau.
(15) The Superintendent of Duval County Public Schools.
(16) The President of the University of North Florida.
(17) The President of Florida Community College, Jacksonville.
Executive Director
The chief operating officer of the commission shall be its executive director, who shall be appointed by the mayor after consultation with the commission.
Jacksonville Chamber brings a regional component to the mix with its Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership which is a division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce. Cornerstone works in partnership with the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, JEA, the regional county partners — Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns, WorkSource, JAXPORT, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and 200 top private sector investor corporate entities in the Jacksonville area