FIRST COAST MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

During the 1980's, manufacturing companies on the First Coast faced numerous challenges. Confronted with a mayor and local media that was determined to run manufacturing out of Jacksonville, regardless of the economic costs, industry leaders decided that they needed to find a way to unite and protect their collective interests. They knew that by standing together the manufacturing industry could be a far stronger force than any individual company. An initial organizational meeting was held in... September of 1988 with the purpose of establishing an association dedicated to representing manufacturing's voice on the First Coast. After further meetings with leaders from city government and the Chamber of Commerce, a formal announcement launching the First Coast Manufacturers Association was made on February 27, 1989 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Jacksonville. More than 100 people attended this press conference, including many of the city's top elected officials, business executives, and members of the media.More