JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville’s financial-tech footprint is expanding with a brand-new city partnership.
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On Tuesday at the JAX Chamber, city leaders revealed Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) is the company behind the so-called “Project Paper.”
They said they’re excited about the additional growth that could come to the city.
“It is with great pride that I stand before you to announce a very big win for our city,” Mayor Donna Deegan said during the press conference.
ICE is establishing its national headquarters for its mortgage technology division in Jacksonville.
In November, the council approved $21 million in city incentives for the company’s $216 million expansion in Jacksonville.
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The city incentives require the company to maintain its 1500 current jobs and bring in 500 more.
“You’re seeing people all over the world, people recognizing Jacksonville as a tech hub, and that’s what we want,” Mayor Deegan said.
She added it’s important, “because those are the jobs of the future. Young people are interested in those jobs – it’s where things are going.”
After more than two years of working on this project, the JAX Chamber along with other city leaders sealed the deal.
“They’re seeing our favorable business environment, they’re seeing our quality of life, and they’re seeing our workforce development that we have going on in the tech industry and they’re just ready to be a part of this,” Mayor Deegan said.
ICE is a global company digitizing and automating real estate and housing finance systems.
This deal brings many opportunities for locals.
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“Jacksonville is a tech city, so the more talent we can bring, the higher wage jobs that we can bring, that’s only going to benefit our local talent and our workforce,” District 5 City Councilman Joe Carlucci said.
ICE recently bought the local financial company, Black Knight, and is already employing locals.
“They’re already bringing employees here,” Mayor Deegan said. “This is a process that’s already begun and they’re very excited about that growth.”
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