Good neighbor closing after more than 40-years

The State Farm Operations Center in Southside, that at one point had close to 1,200 workers employed, is shutting down after more than 40-years in operation, according to an article that appeared in American City Business Journals earlier today.

The 600 employees that currently work at the facility, located at 8001 Baymeadows Way, are primarily responsible for billing tasks and customer service.  The company and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the country.

“Our commitment is to work with our employees to assist them throughout this process,” Michal Brower, a spokeswoman with the company, said.  “Some positions will be moved to the company headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, or to centers in Dallas or Phoenix.”

Jacksonville Business Journal

State Farm moved into the Southside building in February 1977.  The structure was built in 1976 and is just over 300,000 square feet, according to property records.  The insurance giant who employs about 65,000 people and 19,000 agents across the country, leases the property which is being marketed by CBRE with an asking rate of $20 per square foot.

State Farm says that the shutdown will occur next year, but the specific date that they will exit the facility was not released.  State Farm insurance agents will remain in the Jacksonville area.The company said in an announcement that it made the decision to close the facility to “adapt to the rapidly changing needs and expectations” of customers, “leverage technology, and optimize available space” in its facilities.