News Summary
Jacksonville is set to enhance its aviation manufacturing industry as Project Bluebird seeks to invest over $430 million to establish a jet manufacturing facility at Cecil Airport. This initiative, which aims to create 1,200 jobs with an average salary of $90,000, is requesting city incentives for support. The proposal includes constructing a facility on 80 to 100 acres, with a significant tax refund plan under consideration to boost Jacksonville’s economy over the coming years.
Jacksonville is poised to become a significant player in the aviation manufacturing sector as a company developing a new passenger jet seeks to establish a manufacturing and production facility in the city. The initiative, known as Project Bluebird, plans to invest over $430 million at Cecil Airport and is requesting city incentives to facilitate its establishment.
The request for financial assistance will be presented to the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee on May 12. The city’s Office of Economic Development (OED) has confirmed that the company is currently conducting research and development on its jet in another state and is nearing the final stages of preparation for manufacturing.
As part of its plans, Project Bluebird intends to construct the manufacturing facility on 80 to 100 acres within five years after initially operating out of an existing hangar. Over the upcoming 15 years, the company expects to create more than 1,200 jobs with an average salary of $90,000 (excluding benefits), leading to a total annual payroll exceeding $36 million.
The proposed manufacturing facility will house $140 million worth of equipment and finishes, which will be subject to city taxes. In response to this potential economic boost, the city is considering offering a 20-year, 75% Recapture Enhanced Value Grant (REV Grant) worth up to $20 million on the taxable tangible personal property, which includes machinery and office equipment. This grant serves as a refund on the ad valorem tax revenue generated from newly developed properties or upgrades.
The anticipated return on investment from the project is projected to be $1.24 for every $1 of incentives provided. Additionally, the state of Florida is reviewing possible incentives through its Corporate Income Tax Credit and High Impact Performance Incentive Grant programs, which may further support the initiative.
Project Bluebird is facing competition from multiple other states also vying for the facility. The development plans include 280,000 square feet of improvements northeast of Cecil Airport, comprising manufacturing space, hangar space, and an office building. Kimley-Horn, a Jacksonville-based firm, has been appointed as the civil engineer for the project.
However, the initial review of the project application faced a setback when it was rejected on March 28 due to the need for additional information. No updates on the project’s status have been provided since that time.
The company’s ambitions bear a resemblance to similar initiatives from Natilus, a startup based in San Diego, which is focused on developing hyper-efficient blended wing body aircraft for both passenger and cargo use. Natilus is also in the process of selecting a site for its U.S. manufacturing facility intended to produce its regional freighter, the Kona. This facility is anticipated to span 250,000 square feet and would have the production capability of 60 Kona aircraft annually, resulting in 300 full-time job opportunities.
Furthermore, Natilus is considering multiple regions within the U.S. along with possibilities in the UAE, India, and Saudi Arabia for establishing a second facility dedicated to their Horizon passenger aircraft, which is projected to employ around 3,000 workers by the early 2030s.
As Project Bluebird moves forward, the city’s potential investment in the aviation manufacturing industry could significantly impact the local economy while creating thousands of jobs and establishing Jacksonville as a hub for aircraft manufacturing.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Aircraft Manufacturer Seeks City Incentives
- Wikipedia: Aviation Manufacturing
- Developing Lafayette: Planned New State of the Art Indoor Sports Facility
- Google Search: Jacksonville aviation
- Jacksonville Daily Record: Bluebird Hardwater Beverage
- Google Scholar: Aviation Manufacturing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Manufacturing
