JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 2) — Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire L.L.C. plans to invest about $44 million to open a 1 million-sq.-ft. distribution center at Cecil Commerce Center North in Jacksonville.
The project will create about 250 new jobs within 36 months of completion of the facility, resulting in an expected annual payroll of approximately $9.5 million. The project will also indirectly result in the creation of approximately 220 new jobs in the transportation and maritime sectors at the Jacksonville Port Authority with salaries of about $42,000.
"We look forward to building our distribution and logistics center at Cecil Commerce Center," said Nelson Miller, BFS director of logistics. "The proximity of the major interstates combined with the accessibility of JAXPORT makes this the ideal location for us. With the persistent sales efforts of (Jacksonville) Mayor (John) Peyton, (the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission) and the Cornerstone staff, it was very difficult for us to say ´no´ to Jacksonville."