The Major's Corner - July 2026 Newsletter Excerpts

$1 BILLION FOR JAX

 Yes, that’s billion with a B, folks. Johnson & Johnson is investing $1 billion into its Jacksonville vision care operations, which is great news for our local economy. The move supports thousands of jobs and grows our already robust life sciences sector. The company says this amazing investment will help meet the increasing demand for contact lenses (manufactured here) and continue to grow our workforce. It’s a big win for our city and I couldn’t be prouder.

MORE HOUSING FOR DOWNTOWN AND VETERANS

Some two years after fire ripped through downtown’s Rise Doro apartment complex, we celebrated the opening of this beautiful rebuilt space. This exciting news grows our supply of downtown housing.

Meanwhile on the Westside, we broke ground on Normandy Cove, a 144-unit affordable housing community that will reserve half its apartments for active-duty military members and veterans.

Increasing the supply of housing folks can afford is a key priority for my administration and we continue to make progress every month.

MAKING CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE – AND ACCESSIBLE

For far too many parents in Jacksonville, the cost of child care has become prohibitive. This month, we unveiled the results of our Child Care Solutions for Early Learning Task Force. The result: River City Care, a new initiative designed to identify and close gaps in early childcare education. Thanks to the task force members who volunteered their time and expertise to this important effort, we now have a roadmap to effect positive change around this issue.

LAVILLA HERITAGE TRAIL

It was an honor to unveil the LaVilla Lift Ev’ry Voice & Sing Heritage Trail in this historic neighborhood. These new markers will highlight local legends like Eartha M.M. White and James Weldon Johnson. My thanks to the LaVilla Heritage Trail and Gateway Committee, who devoted years to making sure the history of our local Black community is shared with generations to come.