News Summary
The Jacksonville City Council has voted 15-4 to approve a $400,000 transfer to support film production incentives for a project referred to as Project T. This transfer allows the Office of Economic Development to negotiate with the production company, which plans to invest approximately $3 million over six months in the city. The council’s decision is not final approval for incentives, as further votes are necessary. This initiative aims to revitalize Jacksonville’s film industry, which has declined over the years due to competition.
Jacksonville – The Jacksonville City Council has approved a $400,000 transfer to support potential film production incentives, aimed at attracting a project code-named Project T. The Council voted 15-4 in favor of Ordinance 2025-0720, enabling the transfer of funds from the city’s debt management fund to the Office of Economic Development (OED) to negotiate with the production company.
This legislative action does not represent final approval for any incentive; additional Council approval will be required before any financial incentives can be granted. The four members who opposed the legislation include Joe Carlucci, Rory Diamond, Mike Gay, and Ron Salem.
According to Ed Randolph, the director of economic development, the production company behind Project T plans to invest approximately $3 million over a six-month filming period in Jacksonville. This undertaking is expected to yield significant economic benefits, including the purchase of roughly 2,400 hotel room nights for its staff and the creation of jobs for about 100 local residents. The city estimates a generous return on investment, projecting $7 for every $1 put into this production effort.
In March 2024, Jacksonville introduced the Film & Television Program, which features two incentive tiers tailored to attract film productions to the area. One tier provides a 20% rebate for expenditures exceeding $1 million in Duval County, with a cap of $400,000. The administration of these incentives will occur through the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, a division of the OED.
City Council members have raised concerns regarding requests for direct cash payouts from Jacksonville’s budget. Instead, there is a preference for using Recapture Enhanced Value Grants, designed to refund property tax revenue generated from new developments rather than offering direct cash incentives. Randolph noted that Jacksonville is becoming increasingly uncompetitive for film and television productions compared to its peers in Florida, indicating a need for effective incentives to revitalize the city’s appeal in this sector.
Historically, Jacksonville was a key player in the film industry, hosting over 30 film studios during the early 1900s. However, the city has lost its prominence over the years due to intensifying competition and various community-related challenges. To date, notable films shot in Jacksonville include “G.I. Jane,” “The Devil’s Advocate,” “Basic,” “Lonely Hearts,” “Recount,” and “The Year of Getting to Know Us.”
When the city was approached for additional details about Project T in response to public records requests, officials declined to provide specific information. State law permits the use of code names for economic development agreements, which justifies the lack of transparency regarding the project.
The Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health and Safety Committee previously reviewed the ordinance but did not recommend it for approval or denial, citing an insufficiency of votes. Council members present during the vote included Randy White, Ken Amaro, and Michael Boylan who favored the transfer, while Mike Gay and Ron Salem opposed it. Chris Miller was absent with an excuse, and Tyrona Clark-Murray was not present for the vote.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Jacksonville City Council OKs $400,000 Transfer
- Gulf Shore Business: Movies and TV Shows Casting in Jacksonville
- News4Jax: Jacksonville Native Launches Film Project
- Ponte Vedra Recorder: Jax Fuse Film Day Celebrates Local Cinema
- Google Search: Jacksonville Film Industry
Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER
The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
