Companies queried on industry study 01/28/02 -
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Published on: 1/28/2002
Last Visited: 1/28/2002
Until then, Michigan-based Whittaker Associates LLC, assisted by Jacksonville-based economic development consultant Bob Goforth, will continue to call on area companies to find out what types of industries would fit best in this market.
"These are along the lines as when we do a site search," Goforth said last week as he, Dean Whittaker and Whittaker research director Leigh Anne Howe were making at least 10 calls on area companies to meet with managers and chief executive officers.
"It gives us a handle about what the community is like," Goforth said.
Whittaker was contracted late last year to update, modify and enhance the 1997 targeted industry study that identified seven industries considered to make sense for recruitment and expansion in Jacksonville.
The updated study will review and possibly revise the targeted areas as well as add "a filter with community values and corporate cultures," Goforth said.
Whittaker said upcoming visits will include meetings with leaders and executives in Northwest Jacksonville, as well as interviews in Clay and Putnam counties.His team already has interviewed decisionmakers in Baker, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties, he said.
Those six counties comprise the regional marketing partnership directed by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.
The seven industries identified in 1997 were aviation; medical equipment and technologies; corporate headquarters and operations; motor vehicle parts; pharmaceuticals; electronics; and software.
The chamber has reported that the $130,000 study is being funded by JEA, the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, and the chamber's Cornerstone economic development investors and partners.
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As for the corporate culture and values "filter," Goforth said such a technique would "allow the community to be more selective" in identifying companies to recruit to the area.
Whittaker explained that such companies would "have a better understanding" about the needs of the community and employees.For example, he defined "values" as "living a balanced life" and "having a life outside work," as well as how it invests in training, in its workforce and in the community.
He said employees sometimes "feel the needs of the company come first," such as mandatory travel, whereas "other companies have a better understanding" of employee concerns, such as child care and elder care.
"It's the characteristic that makes a company a nice place to work," he said.
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