Jacksonville is putting its reputation as a military town behind a new employment initiative. The city’s Stand for Service Act is taking effect after the City Council unanimously approved the measure, tying certain taxpayer-supported economic incentives to hiring opportunities for veterans and military families.
The ordinance requires companies receiving a Recapture Enhanced Value Grant, or REV grant, to make a good-faith effort to fill at least 10% of newly created jobs with qualified veterans and active-duty military spouses. City Council discussions also identified National Guard members and reservists as part of the military community the initiative is intended to benefit. The legislation was introduced July 28 and received final City Council approval Aug. 25 on an 18-0 vote.
The potential reach is substantial. Jacksonville city documents describe the broader area as having six major military installations, including NAS Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Blount Island Command and nearby facilities such as Kings Bay and Camp Blanding. One city document estimates more than 160,000 veterans and 50,000 active-duty personnel are connected to the area, while Jacksonville’s current budget says more than 950 service members each month are choosing to transition from the military and remain in Jacksonville.
The law also recognizes Cecil Airport as an important military-linked economic and workforce development engine and gives projects benefiting Cecil additional consideration when the city evaluates potential public investments.
For a city where the military contributes billions of dollars to the economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs, the message behind the new law is straightforward: If public dollars help create the jobs, Jacksonville lawmakers have shown and proved they wants those who served (and vote) and the families who served alongside them — to have a shot at getting them.