The Jacksonville Economic Development Commission (JEDC) and Cornerstone Regional Development Partnership won the 2010 Florida Economic Development Council's (FEDC) “Deal of the Year” award for the SAFT America, Inc. project.

On Sept. 8, 2009, SAFT, a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-technology batteries, announced their intent to build a lithium battery manufacturing plant on 12 acres at Cecil Commerce Center. Jacksonville was one of several cities under consideration for this project, ultimately providing the most cost effective location. SAFT proposed to invest more than $200 million in new capital and bring 279 jobs to Jacksonville. On March 15, 2010, SAFT broke ground on the 277,560 sq. ft. facility.

This is the second year in a row that the JEDC and Cornerstone have won the FEDC's “Deal of the Year” award. Last year's award was for the Deutsche Bank project that brought 1,000 jobs to Jacksonville. The FEDC issues the “Deal of the Year” award to one deserving project in the state each year at its annual conference.