A year after its creation, the Rail Yard District Business Council increased its membership to 62 businesses and plans to continue neighborhood improvements in the coming year.
WJCT News partner the Jacksonville Daily Record reports the council's mission is to advance economic development of the 4.5 square-mile historic residential and commercial area northwest of Downtown bounded by interstates 95 and 10, Kings Road and Huron Street.
Council membership is open to businesses and residents in the district, as well as those in the greater Jacksonville area.
In its inaugural year, the council held quarterly meetings, hosted city leaders, received grants from the Local Initiatives Support Corp. for signage, sponsored a candidate forum and a job fair, added murals and partnered with other urban neighborhoods.
Goals for 2019-20 include advancing advocacy efforts for infrastructure improvements, developing its social media and web presence, recruiting businesses to the area and strengthening the district's branding, said Rail Yard Council President Jeff Edwards.
An interview with Edwards is at JaxDailyRecord.com and with a map of the Rail Yard District's boundaries.
