Three proposed
Northside development projects are seeking a total of $800,000 in
city incentives.
Members of the Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund
Advisory Committee will decide Monday whether to award city
assistance for the Northside projects, which would build new company
facilities or expand existing ones.
One of the three projects is Allied Plastics Co. Inc. of
Jacksonville, which wants a $250,000 low-interest loan and a $50,000
grant to expand its operations in the Springfield area.
The $1.15 million expansion project would be built at 155 21st
St. in Springfield. The company now employs 100 people at its plant
at 2001 Walnut St.
Company officials say if the company cannot expand, it will have
to reduce its staff by 40 workers.
The proposed expansion would create 25 jobs over three years and
allow the company to add a product line of student desks and chairs.
The company is already a manufacturer and supplier of furniture
for schools, offices and restaurants. The company occupies 55,000
square feet.
Another project seeking city assistance is a $1.5 million project
proposed by FitzLord Inc., doing business as Vulcan Steel.
The company wants a $250,000 grant from the city to renovate a
40,000-square-foot vacant manufacturing building at 650 E. 27th St.
It is now at 4472 Philips Highway, where it has no room for
expansion, according to a city document explaining the proposal. The
new facility would create about 10 jobs.
The third project, developed by Craig Van Horn, president of
Symbiosis Investments LLC, is requesting a $250,000 low-interest
loan to redevelop an abandoned automotive repair center at 1850 N.
Main St. in Springfield. Van Horn plans to turn it into multitenant
retail development.
His plans are for the 8,000-square-foot center to house five
businesses: Springfield Arts and Living Inc., Springfield Antiques,
a music-bookstore, a cafe, and a community theater and arts center.
The company has completed the renovation of 14 residential
properties in the Springfield area.
The $414,530 project would be the first commercial project for
the company.
The project, which would be at the southwest corner of Ninth and
Main streets, is expected to create 10 jobs.
If each proposal is approved, each would have to get approvals
from the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission and the City
Council before the deals are final.
The Northwest Jacksonville Economic Development Fund Advisory
Committee is a division of the JEDC, which is the city's economic
development arm.
The advisory committee's goal is to assist in revitalizing the
city's Northside by offering incentives that would encourage
companies to expand or relocate in that area of the city.
Staff writer Earl Daniels can be reached at
or via e-mail at edaniels.
