With three military facilities and one nearby, the military is a significant employer in Jacksonville. The military typically adds 6 billion to the economy on an annual basis. A large number of jobs are also related to the activities at the busy Port of Jacksonville. In addition, tourism employs about 10% of the workforce. Jacksonville's diversified economy is also powered by biomedical technology, distribution, financial services, information services, consumer goods, insurance, building materials, manufacturing and other industries.
Jacksonville is the state's leading transportation and distribution center and includes a large deep water port. Ship repair yards and freight handling facilities contribute to the economy. Jacksonville also includes a prominent automotive parts and accessories industry. In addition, the area includes a flourishing pulp and paper mills sector.
The Cecil Commerce Center is situated on the site of the former Naval Air Station Cecil Field and is now regarded as one of the best places for business activities in the Southeast. Jacksonville also has a flourishing small business community. Approximately 90% of the local businesses have less than 50 employees.
The major sectors for employment in Jacksonville are:
- Military
- Trade, transportation and utilities
- Professional and business services
- Government
- Educational and health services
- Leisure and hospitality
- Finance
- Manufacturing
The WorkSource, a regional workforce development organization, connects workers with jobs. The organization integrates economic and education development efforts of the city of Jacksonville, Cornerstone and Florida Community College at Jacksonville and other partners. WorkSource provides assistance with marketing, screening and testing of job candidates. WorkSource also provides job seekers with information regarding recruiting events and job fairs.
The state's Quick Response Training Program offers the region's companies fast, effective start-up recruiting and training that's designed to meet the company's specifications. Another organization, the IMPACTjax connects 21 to 35 year old professionals with the business community.
Jacksonville is a popular site for corporate relocations due to its reasonable cost of living, climate, business friendly government, highly skilled and educated workforce and high quality of life. The city is often ranked as one of the hottest cities in the nation for business expansion and relocations by Expansion Management Magazine. In 2007 Jacksonville was ranked No. 3 by Forbes for relocating and finding a job. Jacksonville has been ranked No. 33 by Entrepreneur for "Best cities for entrepreneurs."
Fortune Magazine stated that MPS Group, Landstar System and PSS World Medical are the best large companies in Jacksonville. Jacksonville is also home to numerous prominent corporations. CSX Corporation, Winn-Dixie Supermarkets and Fidelity National Financial are Fortune 500 companies located in the municipality.
Some of the employers in Jacksonville include:
- Naval Air Station Jacksonville
- Naval Station Mayport
- Duval County Public Schools
- City of Jacksonville
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida
- Publix Distribution Center
- Winn-Dixie Stores Inc
- Baptist Health System
- Mayo Clinic
- Citibank
- Bank of America
- CSX
- Naval Air Depot
- St Vincent's Medical Center
- Shands Jacksonville Healthcare
- Wachovia
- Gate Maritime Properties Inc
- Bell South Telecommunications
- Aetna
- Convergys Corp
- Vistakon Vision Products Inc
- Fidelity National Financial
- Kelly-Clarke Inc
- PSS World Medical
- Fidelity National Information Services
- AT&T
- Buffet Crampton
- JM Family Enterprises
- State of Florida
- Walmart
- Deutsche Bank
Jacksonville companies may obtain assistance from business organizations such as:
The Jacksonville Business Journal offers up-to-date information regarding the business activities in Jacksonville.