Jacksonville City Hall | File photo
Published on July 22, 2025 at 6:48 pm
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An international wholesaler distributor’s plans to expand its Jacksonville presence with a proposed $90 million warehouse took a step toward reality Tuesday night. The Jacksonville City Council voted 17-0 on Resolution 2025-0481 to approve a $2.5 million property tax incentive to help move the project forward.
The vote will allow the city’s Office of Economic Development to finalize an agreement with the unnamed company, identified only as Project Moana during negotiations, to offer the property tax rebate over five years for a proposed 275,000-square-foot warehouse.
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A legislative fact sheet filed with the bill says Moana is considering Jacksonville among other locations for a food distribution facility.
“There are multiple other locations being considered for the project, both in and out of state, whose municipalities are offering competitive incentives agreements to woo the Company,” the legislative fact sheet says. “A site has been selected in Jacksonville which is competitive for the project. However, utility work including lift station and ingress/egress is needed to satisfy requirements.”
Moana’s $90 million investment includes $80 million for construction and $10 million in machinery and equipment.
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Moana tells city officials that the deal would allow it to retain 480 existing jobs in Jacksonville and create 100 new positions with an average salary of $52,000 plus $13,700 per year in benefits.
The incentive in the agreement, also know as a Recapture Enhanced Value or REV grant, would refund 60% of the new property tax revenue generated by the project.
After the vote, Council Vice President Nick Howland pointed to estimates by city economic development officials that estimate the city’s return on investment will be $3.68 for every $1 invested.
“It’s done with 100% REV grant, so that’s rebates on future taxes. That’s the proper way to incentivize businesses to move or expand to Jacksonville,” Howland said.
Council members Rory Diamond and Ju’Coby Pittman were absent from the vote.
If Moana chooses Jacksonville, the new facility would be up and running by the fourth quarter of 2029, the legislation says.
