Spotlight On: Aundra Wallace, President, JAXUSA Partnership

Key points:

• • JAXUSA is attracting investment in aerospace, logistics, fintech, and manufacturing.
• • Fast decision-making and collaboration give Northeast Florida a competitive edge.
• • Talent development remains the foundation of the region’s long-term growth.

June 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Aundra Wallace, president of JAXUSA Partnership, discussed Northeast Florida’s momentum in business attraction, international investment, talent development, and emerging industries. “Time is money, and we want to make sure we can bring quick decisions to companies.”

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What recent milestones stand out most for JAXUSA?

One of the most notable successes has been the continued growth of companies choosing Northeast Florida, particularly in sectors that bring high-wage jobs and long-term capital investment. Some of the projects we have worked on have strengthened our tax base, created career opportunities for people in the region, and helped build Jacksonville’s reputation as a superior business destination.

Just as important, expansions show that companies already operating here continue to have confidence in our region. We have also continued to expand JAXUSA’s international business development efforts as Northeast Florida gains greater visibility in the global marketplace.

Jacksonville’s port connectivity, foreign trade infrastructure, and strategic location continue to position the region competitively for international investment and trade opportunities. When global companies evaluate U.S. expansion markets, Northeast Florida offers both operational advantages and long-term growth opportunities.

How significant are aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding becoming as economic drivers?

In 2025, we had 12 announced projects that are expected to bring in more than 2,400 new jobs and nearly $1 billion in capital investment. That reinforced our region’s growth across our target industries, including advanced manufacturing, aviation, aerospace, transportation, and logistics.

Companies that looked at us last year included Otto Aviation’s headquarters relocation and manufacturing operation at Cecil Airport, as well as Swisher and Walmart’s new distribution facility connected to Sam’s Club.

Companies see Jacksonville not only as a place to invest but also as a place where they can find the talent they are looking for. That strength supports aerospace, shipbuilding, port activity, and logistics.

Is uncertainty in the broader economic environment creating opportunities for Jacksonville or causing companies to pause?

I would say it is strengthening what we do. We recognize that people do business with people, so we have been getting out and strengthening relationships across all of our industry sectors, domestically as well as internationally.

That has served us very well when we look at investment, whether it is in Germany, the U.K., South and Central America, or through our port. We are having great success with people and companies looking at the region.

We recognize there may be turbulence out there, but creating certainty at the local and regional level, and showing that we are here and open for business, has served us very well.

How would you describe the momentum JAXUSA has built?

The past year has been very active in encouraging businesses to come into the region. Companies are looking for markets that offer affordability, connectivity, talent availability, and a strong quality of life. Jacksonville continues to compete very well on those factors.

At the same time, economic development has become more competitive than ever, so our work is centered on being proactive, responsive, and highly collaborative across the entire region. That is giving us an advantage.

How has the innovation ecosystem matured in Jacksonville?

We are seeing good innovation, and the innovation ecosystem is strong. We opened an innovation center, and we have also launched JAX Hub, an initiative partnered between the University of North Florida and Paysafe.

JAX Hub has created an opportunity for new financial technology companies to gain insight from an accelerator standpoint. We see that as an opportunity to create new fintech opportunities in the region. These are companies looking at the United States, specifically looking at Florida, and wanting to be in Jacksonville because of the relationship between the University of North Florida and Paysafe.

What is the most compelling factor that closes the deal for Jacksonville?

Speed and certainty. Time is money, and we want to make sure we can bring quick decisions to companies so they can make a decision about Jacksonville.

In Duval County, speed and certainty are strong because of the city-county consolidated government. If you are doing business in St. Johns County, Nassau County, Clay County, Baker County, Putnam County, or Flagler County, we have relationships directly with the county administrators and regional partners.

We can help companies make a decision quickly. If it is a conversation about utilities, we bring the utility companies directly to the table, have that conversation, and get a decision quickly so we can move forward. We strive to help companies make decisions quickly because we have made the decision that we want that business here.

How is JAXUSA thinking about diversifying target sectors?

We are winning in advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, financial services, and life sciences. We are also going into niche industries.

Within transportation and logistics, intermodal logistics is very important for us. Within advanced manufacturing, aviation, aerospace, and agribusiness are key areas. Within financial services, fintech is a major focus.

We have broad categories, but we are finding our niche within those categories, and that is how we are seeing success. We are not losing who we are. We are doubling down on the types of businesses that fit within our ecosystem and recruiting aggressively for them.

How is JAXUSA working with schools, colleges, and employers to keep the talent pipeline aligned with company needs?

Our talent development team has what we call a Talent Advancement Network. That means we bring chief people officers and HR leaders into the room with our K-20 partners.

We bring them together with all of the public school districts across seven counties, as well as the heads, principals, and provosts of colleges and universities. We talk about what companies need in terms of building a pipeline and what skills are needed.

That translates into developing Career Academy programs in K-12. For instance, there are not enough mariners and not enough people who understand what is going on in the maritime industry, so we begin teaching that in K-12  through specialized career academies to help students understand what their future could be in this industry. JAXPORT and companies that utilize the port work together on programming and implementation at the schools. 

That’s just one example of the many career academies that help build the talent pipeline companies need to fill positions and continue growing. We have a strategic plan where talent development is the first goal, business growth is the second, quality of life is the third, and infrastructure is the fourth. We lead on talent.

How active is your international business development strategy?

We conduct international business development missions at least once a quarter, focusing on Europe, the U.K., South America, and Central America.

The sectors we focus on fit directly into our strategic plan. In Europe and the U.K., I will lead on health tech, fintech, and advanced manufacturing. South and Central America will lean more toward transportation and logistics, in partnership with JAXPORT.

We also work a lot in the emerging life sciences industry. That is taking us abroad more and more as we continue the work of economic development and business missions for the region.

Looking ahead, what investment or policy decision could unlock the most potential for Northeast Florida?

We are following efforts around semiconductors closely. The Florida Semiconductor Institute will more than likely be here in Jacksonville, affiliated with the University of Florida. We are looking hard at that as the next emerging industry and sector for the region.

We have great regional universities, including the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Florida State College at Jacksonville, St. Johns River State College, Edward Waters University, Flagler College, and Keiser University. We also have the University of Florida moving in and creating a graduate campus here in Jacksonville.

That will strengthen talent development, create new opportunities for innovation, and support semiconductor-related growth in the region.

What makes the region well-positioned for future growth?

Jacksonville is an area that people are moving to for quality of life, and they are able to find their careers here in this region. We are going to continue building on that momentum.

We have a great quality of life, great infrastructure for growth, and the talent is here in this region. The region is growing at over 2.2% a year in terms of people moving here, and based on our analysis, that will continue through 2030. With that, we look for a really booming Northeast Florida regional economy.

Want more? Read the Invest: Jacksonville report.