Fanatics is seeking $1.4 million in city and state incentives to hire 80 more employees and expand its headquarters in Jacksonville. The state of Florida would put up about $1.07 million while the city of Jacksonville's incentives would total $348,000.
The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, but it’s been challenging to find talent in information technology and digital marketing talent in the area, according to a project summary by the city’s Office of Economic Development. The summary noted that Fanatics recently opened a “mobile application office” in California to recruit employees.
With the incentives, Fanatics plans to add another Southside location, which would come with a $10 million capital investment.
“This proposed $10 million capital investment and creation of 80 new jobs shows continued confidence in Jacksonville’s growing economy and IT labor force,” Mayor Alvin Brown said in a statement. “Fanatics is a Jacksonville success story that is joining the ranks of many great companies that are increasingly choosing our city as a prime destination to do business. I am particularly excited that the city can support the expansion and job creation of a global e-commerce company.”
The Jacksonville City Council could vote on the incentives as soon as its May 12 meeting.
An article on the incentive deals by the Jacksonville Business Journal is here.
