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Council approves tax‑rebate package to bring Auto Aviation business‑jet manufacturing to Cecil Field
Summary
Jacksonville approved a package of tax rebates and airport co‑investments to bring Auto Aviation to Cecil Field; unanimous council vote cleared incentives tied to a project the city and JAA say will create more than 1,200 jobs and roughly $400 million in capital investment.
Jacksonville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an incentive package intended to bring Auto Aviation, a business‑jet manufacturer, to Cecil Field. The council voted 18–0 to approve the package after public remarks by council members and company executives.
Project and jobs: Council members and business leaders said the project would create more than 1,200 jobs and represent an estimated $400 million in capital investment, including a facility of roughly one million square feet and a substantial maintenance and hangar program at Cecil Field.
What the package includes: Council members emphasized the city is not providing a direct cash grant; rather the support is a targeted tax rebate along with airport co‑investment that includes more than $30 million in JAA capital investment to prepare landing surfaces, hangars and infrastructure and about $12 million in rent rebates. The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) and the Office of Economic Development are also contributing funds to make the site competitive with other aviation cluster locations.
Statements from officials and company: Councilmember LeHi (Allen) called the project “the most exciting item on the agenda” and highlighted the cluster effect of aerospace jobs at Cecil Field. Scott Drennan, president and COO of Auto Aviation, thanked the council and said, “we're about to create 1 of the greatest aerospace companies that the history of aerospace has seen here in Jacksonville out at Cecil Field.” City and chamber leaders emphasized that no cash grant was included and that the structure prioritized local tax protections.
Vote and next steps: The item passed unanimously, 18–0. City staff will finalize airport lease terms, implement the tax‑rebate mechanics and coordinate with JAA on infrastructure improvements at Cecil Field.
