Advanced Disposal incentives formalized

Wasting no time in rolling out the welcome mat, Historic City News watched as commissioners added “item 1A” to today’s agenda at the regular meeting of the St Johns County Commission; official confirmation of an incentive package offered to relocate the offices of Advanced Disposal, Inc.

Presently located in Jacksonville, the rapidly growing waste-management company acquired Milwaukee-based Veolia ES Solid Waste in July — forcing a need for a larger headquarters building. The company was looking at Jacksonville, Milwaukee, Atlanta and Charlotte.

In October, it appeared that an $895,000 incentive package approved by the City of Jacksonville would keep the company’s headquarters in Duval County; however, in record time, just four days after receiving the application, St Johns County commissioners approved their own economic development incentives for the company’s consideration.

Through joint efforts by Norman Gregory and Carol Saviak with the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council and appointed members of the St Johns County Industrial Development Authority board who compiled “shovel ready” research for the big-box needs of developers, two 25,000 square-foot existing buildings were immediately identified for the proposal.

Under consideration were the former Tree of Life office building at World Golf Village and the former MDI Holdings office space at Nocatee.

Commissioner Ron Sanchez moved for approval of resolution 2012-346; an incentive package that includes an economic development grant for Advance Disposal Inc to relocate to St Johns County, without changes to the incentives originally contemplated on October 16, 2012. The resolution was approved without objection.

Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson thanked representatives of the company who were in attendance and have had discussions with her, other commissioners, and county staff as they worked their way through the relocation decision.