Welcome back fans!

The Florida vs. Georgia Football Classic is Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

A sold-out EverBank Field will host 82,000 fans and the event, in total, draws more than 200,000 fans to the downtown area.

Jacksonville has been neutral ground for this premier college football rivalry since 1933. The event has grown over the years and carries an estimated economic impact of $80 million.

Encouraging Future Job Growth Is Key Focus in Delegation Trip

A delegation of Jacksonville business leaders, including Mayor Alvin Brown and JAXUSA Partnership President Jerry Mallot, will join Gov. Rick Scott in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a five-day economic development mission to promote Northeast Florida and help attract new business.

The mission, organized by Enterprise Florida, provides an opportunity to interact and build relationships with international companies and industry leaders who may consider expanding or relocating to the region.

Mayor Alvin Brown is celebrating his first 100 days in office as Jacksonville’s chief executive – 100 days that saw the administration take significant steps forward on many of the mayor’s goals.

“When I took office, I said that I would achieve a balanced budget without new taxes or fees, streamline government so that it is more effective and efficient, promote economic development, and work to help our public schools,” said Mayor Brown. “In just over three months, we have made progress in each of those areas. Much work remains to be done, but I’m pleased that we are closer to moving Jacksonville to the next level.”

Florida’s high-tech companies provide 292,000 jobs paying good wages out of a total payroll of $19.9 billion.

Mayor Alvin Brown hosted a panel discussion during the 10th Annual Florida Black Expo to explore how the expansion of broadband Internet can help put people to work.

 

Please join us for JaxParks’ 8th Annual Art in the Park on Saturday, Oct. 8 on the Northbank Riverwalk. Activities run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the Riverwalk between the Jacksonville Landing and CSX. Our partners include the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, Jacksonville Landing, Jacksonville Public Library, MOSH, Cummer Museum and Cathedral Arts Project. The event offers free interactive art and entertainment for the entire family. We hope to see you there.

At the 11th Annual Jacksonville Film Industry Reception, hosted by the city’s Film and Television office, Charlie Barth (photo, first row, center) was honored with the Film Legacy Award that recognizes his achievements and contributions to the local film industry.

Saft, the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of high-tech industrial batteries, inaugurated the world’s most advanced automated lithium-ion battery factory at the Cecil Commerce Center on the Jacksonville Westside. 

“Having a renowned international company such as Saft choose Jacksonville is a major step in building the economy of tomorrow,” said Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown at the Friday opening. “The new plant gives us high-tech jobs to help put Jacksonville back to work and is a great example of the good that can come from the public and private sectors working together.” 

The City of Jacksonville’s Environmental and Compliance Department issued an air quality alert Tuesday, Sept. 13, due to an excess of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for fine particulate matter. Elevated levels of particulate matter are a result of the wildfires that are burning in adjacent counties.

It really is Go Time, isnt’ it? The Jacksonville Jaguars began their regular season Sunday, Sept. 11, against the Tennessee Titans with no television blackout. 

And there's more Jaguars excitement!

For a limited time, you can purchase the TealDeals certificate book, a $3,000 value of gift certificates from local businesses, for only $50. Previously, only Jaguars season ticket owners could purchase this certificate book so be sure to take advantage of this generous offer. This offer can only be purchased on doubletakedeals.com.

Mayor Alvin Brown led a crowd of roughly 1,500 business and community leaders on a chant of “no blackouts” during the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual Jaguars Kickoff Luncheon.

“We want to sell out every game,” said Mayor Brown. “My goal is to channel all of our resources to ensure this city and the Jaguars are as successful as possible. We want to be sure that when the Jaguars win, North Florida wins.”

The guide has advice on what to do before, during and after a storm, important phone numbers and a disaster supply check list.

Make sure your family and your business have a hurricane and disaster plan in place.  You can find  the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Business Disaster Plan here.
 

Mayor Alvin Brown issued an executive order naming the first Education Commissioner for the City of Jacksonville.

The office is designed to serve as a bridge between City Hall and Duval County Public Schools with a mission to increase graduation rates and better prepare Jacksonville’s youths for the 21st Century job market. The office will have no executive powers over the school system but will serve a crucial supportive function to raise private money and rally community support at a time the schools are facing cutbacks.

The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) continues its mosquito-borne illness alert for Duval County. Additional human cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) have been confirmed and there is a heightened concern that additional residents will become ill. Duval County has eight confirmed cases of WNV in 2011.

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown welcomed an announcement Thursday that Jacksonville was selected as a site for a team in the new North American Lacrosse League (NALL) that begins play in January 2012.  "We are thrilled to welcome the North American Lacrosse League to Jacksonville," he said.  "I have long touted Jacksonville's attraction as a sports hub, and lacrosse will be a wonderful addition to the multiple sports franchises we already have in our city."

Mayor Alvin Brown, accompanied by Councilmember Lori Boyer and San Marco business owners, today toured the city’s San Marco Streetscape project and six area small businesses.