News Summary
Jacksonville is in competition with Savannah, Georgia, to attract an international meat processor aiming to build a $28 million packing plant, known as Project Pan. The facility will create 100 jobs with an average salary of over $59,000, utilizing a 50% Recapture Enhanced Value Grant from the city. The project, which is expected to commence in December 2025, will be based in a vacant refrigerated warehouse in Northwest Jacksonville and is anticipated to have a significant economic impact.
Jacksonville is currently vying against Savannah, Georgia, in its efforts to attract an international meat processor seeking to establish a significant packing plant valued at $28 million. This development is referred to as Project Pan in city documents.
Ed Randolph, the executive director of economic development, disclosed details about Project Pan during a session with the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee on July 21. The proposed facility intends to predominantly operate as a heavy port user, importing meat products from various countries, including Australia. Potential logistics for the company’s operations include JaxPort and the Port of Savannah.
In support of this endeavor, the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee has granted Randolph authorization to submit legislation to the City Council. The proposed legislation entails a six-year, 50% Recapture Enhanced Value Grant (REV grant) of up to $800,000 for the new facility. REV grants are designed to refund ad valorem tax revenue generated from new developments or enhancements to property, applicable to both real estate and tangible personal property.
The Office of Economic Development anticipates that Project Pan will generate 100 jobs in Jacksonville, with an average salary of $59,211 per employee, along with a benefits package valued at $16,000. The facility is planned to be constructed within a vacant refrigerated warehouse block building located in Northwest Jacksonville.
The designated warehouse site is expected to offer 50,000 square feet of production space and to accommodate four meatpacking production lines, with the capacity to process over 1 million pounds of finished products each week. Preparatory work for the adaptation of the warehouse into a meat processing facility is projected to commence in December 2025.
In terms of economic impact, the Office of Economic Development has estimated a return on investment of $3.50 for each $1 of incentives provided to the project. Notably, the warehouse is situated in a Brownfields Redevelopment Area and a Level I Economically Distressed Area. Brownfields are designated locations with the potential presence of hazardous substances or contaminants, and redevelopment efforts in these areas are concentrated on environmental protection and blight reduction.
Confidentiality in economic development agreements is a common practice, and code names, such as Project Pan, are frequently used under state law to protect sensitive information.
The incentives request was formally considered by the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee on July 21, marking a significant step towards potentially securing a large-scale meat processing plant that could enrich Jacksonville’s economic landscape and create substantial job opportunities.
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Additional Resources
- Jacksonville Competing for Project Pan Meatpacking Facility
- Wikipedia: Meat Processing
- Meat Processing Company Seeks Incentives
- Google Search: Meatpacking Facility
- Tyson to Shutter Processing Plants
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Factory
- Abandoned Jacksonville: Jones & Chambliss Meat Packers
- Google News: Jacksonville Economic Development
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
