News Summary
Sysco International Food Group Inc. has purchased vacant industrial land in Westlake Industrial Park for $16.5 million, fueling speculation about its connection to Project Moana, a planned distribution center. The acquisition coincides with a $2.5 million incentive from the Jacksonville City Council to support the expansion of a significant food distribution warehouse, which represents an $80 million investment in the area. The project is expected to create 100 jobs and bolster Jacksonville’s position in the food distribution sector.
Jacksonville – Sysco International Food Group Inc. has acquired vacant industrial land in Westlake Industrial Park, prompting speculation about its potential link to Project Moana, an anticipated distribution center expected to be revealed in the second quarter of this year. The property purchase, finalized for $16.5 million, includes nearly 96 acres within a larger 171-acre site, further solidifying Sysco’s footprint in the area.
Sysco Corporation, headquartered in Houston and recognized as the world’s largest food distributor, currently operates two cold-storage food facilities in Jacksonville. The recent acquisition coincides with the Jacksonville City Council’s approval of a $2.5 million incentive package aimed at supporting an international wholesale distributor’s expansion, associated with a significant planned investment in a food distribution warehouse worth $90 million. Under this incentive, which was proposed through Resolution 2025-0481, the project will benefit from a 60% Recapture Enhanced Value grant over five years, allowing the company to receive refunds on taxes generated by new developments.
Project Moana is poised to be a major player in the local economy, with plans that include a capital investment of $80 million for new construction and an additional $10 million in equipment. The distribution hub is expected to span 275,000 square feet and create around 100 job opportunities, offering average salaries of $52,000 along with benefits estimated at approximately $13,700 per employee annually. The development will leverage JaxPort for logistical advantages, although it will necessitate upgrades to sewer lines and road infrastructure to enhance access to the site.
Sysco aims to have the new facility operational by late 2029. The Jacksonville Office of Economic Development (OED) has optimized its strategic approach by assessing land availability through the JEA, which issued a service availability determination letter for Westlake Industrial Lot 21. This has indicated that the site can potentially accommodate up to 1.2 million square feet of industrial development.
Significant transactions have marked the history of the Pritchard Road land leading up to this acquisition. In 2019, Becknell Industrial LLC originally purchased the land for $8.96 million, later selling it for $15.2 million in 2025 before marketing the property for further development. The current division of the property includes two distinct parcels, designated as Lot 21A and Lot 21B, which serve as foundational elements for the upcoming Sysco facility.
The city, through its ongoing economic initiatives, continues to attract major investments, enhancing Jacksonville’s standing as a strategic hub for food distribution and logistics. As Project Moana unfolds, it remains to be seen how this development will impact the local economy and job market, but it underscores the growing significance of the food distribution sector in the region.
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Additional Resources
- Jax Daily Record: Sysco Invests $16.5 Million in Westlake Industrial Park Land Purchase
- Jacksonville.com: Listeria FDA Recall
- WTXL: It’s a War Zone in Steinhatchee
- Restaurant Business Online: Federal Court Reinstates Lawsuit Against Sysco
- Deli Market News: Sysco Expanding Jacksonville Facility
- Wikipedia: Food Distribution
- Google Search: Sysco Jacksonville
- Google Scholar: Food Logistics
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Distribution
- Google News: Sysco Expansion
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.
